Trinity College vs. Swarthmore

Comparable Facts

Compare Trinity College in Hartford, CT with Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Trinity College is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (2,238 students vs. 1,623 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Trinity College is located in Hartford, CT (Midsize City setting); Swarthmore College is in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Trinity College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Trinity College 9:1; Swarthmore College 7:1.

Trinity College vs. Swarthmore Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Trinity College or Swarthmore? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Swarthmore College than Trinity College ($22,469 vs. $36,071).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Trinity College are 7% lower than at Swarthmore College ($18,890 vs. $20,308).
• Trinity College is 8.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Swarthmore (about $5,276 more per year; $70,770.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.1% higher at Trinity College than at Swarthmore College (about $5,276 more per year; $70,770.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Trinity College than at Swarthmore College (73% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 19.1% larger than aid received by Trinity College students ($61,634 vs. $51,754).

Trinity College vs. Swarthmore Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Trinity College or Swarthmore? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Swarthmore and Trinity College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Swarthmore College (1530) is 150 points higher than at Trinity College (1380).
• Incoming Swarthmore students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Trinity College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Trinity College 1298/1470; Swarthmore College 1490/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Trinity College 30/34; Swarthmore College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Trinity College - Test optional; Swarthmore - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Trinity College Jan 17, 2027; Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Swarthmore students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Trinity College (3.8).
• Trinity College has a higher acceptance rate (29.2%) than Swarthmore (7.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.8% at Trinity College vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

Trinity College vs. Swarthmore Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Trinity College and Swarthmore? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Swarthmore College's six-year graduation rate (95%) is higher than Trinity College's (86%).
• Graduates from Trinity College earn a median of about $5,700 more per year than Swarthmore graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,500 vs. $65,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Swarthmore College graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than Trinity College graduates ($19,500 vs. $21,000).
• Among borrowers, Swarthmore graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Trinity College graduates ($201 vs. $217).
• More Swarthmore graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Trinity College students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 81%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.