Penn vs. Swarthmore

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA with Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Pennsylvania is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (29,109 students vs. 1,623 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Pennsylvania is located in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting); Swarthmore College is in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Pennsylvania is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Pennsylvania 8:1; Swarthmore College 7:1.

Penn vs. Swarthmore Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn 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 Penn ($22,469 vs. $23,570).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Pennsylvania are 5.6% lower than at Swarthmore College ($19,174 vs. $20,308).
• University of Pennsylvania is 4.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Swarthmore (about $3,192 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.9% higher at Penn than at Swarthmore College (about $3,192 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Swarthmore College than at University of Pennsylvania (57% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Pennsylvania students is 6.2% larger than aid received by Swarthmore College students ($65,458 vs. $61,634).

Penn vs. Swarthmore Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Penn 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 Penn.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Pennsylvania (1540) is 10 points higher than at Swarthmore (1530).
• Incoming Penn students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 34 at Swarthmore).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Pennsylvania 1510/1570; Swarthmore College 1490/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Pennsylvania 34/36; Swarthmore College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn - Required; Swarthmore - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Penn Jan 5, 2027; Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Swarthmore (3.9).
• Swarthmore has a higher acceptance rate (7.5%) than Penn (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 68% at Penn vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

Penn vs. Swarthmore Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn 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).

• University of Pennsylvania's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Swarthmore College's (95%).
• Graduates from University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $57,800 more per year than Swarthmore graduates about ten years after starting college ($123,600 vs. $65,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Swarthmore College graduates have a $1,133 lower median loan debt than Penn graduates ($19,500 vs. $20,633).
• Among borrowers, Swarthmore graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn graduates ($201 vs. $213).
• More Swarthmore graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 84%)

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.