Tufts vs. Swarthmore

Comparable Facts

Compare Tufts University in Medford, MA with Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Tufts University is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (13,599 students vs. 1,623 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Tufts University is located in Medford, MA (Large Suburban setting); Swarthmore College is in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Tufts University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Tufts University 10:1; Swarthmore College 7:1.

Tufts vs. Swarthmore Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Tufts 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 Tufts ($22,469 vs. $32,367).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tufts University are 8.5% lower than at Swarthmore College ($18,588 vs. $20,308).
• Tufts University is 8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Swarthmore (about $5,210 more per year; $70,704.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8% higher at Tufts than at Swarthmore College (about $5,210 more per year; $70,704.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Swarthmore College than at Tufts University (57% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 10.2% larger than aid received by Tufts University students ($61,634 vs. $55,933).

Tufts vs. Swarthmore Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Tufts 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 Tufts.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Swarthmore College (1530) is 10 points higher than at Tufts (1520).
• Incoming Tufts students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Swarthmore (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Tufts University 1470/1560; Swarthmore College 1490/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Tufts University 33/35; Swarthmore College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Tufts - Test optional; Swarthmore - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Tufts Jan 1, 2027; Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Tufts students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Swarthmore (3.9).
• Tufts has a higher acceptance rate (11.5%) than Swarthmore (7.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.5% at Tufts vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

Tufts vs. Swarthmore Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Tufts 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 Tufts University's (90%).
• Graduates from Tufts University earn a median of about $17,300 more per year than Swarthmore graduates about ten years after starting college ($83,100 vs. $65,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Tufts University graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than Swarthmore graduates ($18,000 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Tufts graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Swarthmore graduates ($186 vs. $201).
• More Tufts graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Swarthmore students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 87%)

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.