Pitt vs. Swarthmore

Comparable Facts

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

University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (35,724 students vs. 1,623 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is located in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting); Swarthmore College is in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 13:1; Swarthmore College 7:1.

Pitt vs. Swarthmore Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pitt 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 Pitt ($22,469 vs. $25,223).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus are 32.9% lower than at Swarthmore College ($13,620 vs. $20,308).
• Swarthmore College is 198.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Pitt (about $43,568 more per year; $65,494.00 vs. $21,926.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 58.1% higher at Swarthmore than at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus (about $24,064 more per year; $65,494.00 vs. $41,430.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Swarthmore College than at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus (57% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 273.7% larger than aid received by University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus students ($61,634 vs. $16,494).

Pitt vs. Swarthmore Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Pitt 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 Pitt.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Swarthmore College (1530) is 160 points higher than at Pitt (1370).
• Incoming Swarthmore students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 31 at Pitt).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 1280/1460; Swarthmore College 1490/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 29/33; Swarthmore College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pitt - Test optional; Swarthmore - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Swarthmore students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Pitt (3.79).
• Pitt has a higher acceptance rate (58.1%) than Swarthmore (7.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13% at Pitt vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

Pitt vs. Swarthmore Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pitt 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 University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus's (79%).
• Graduates from Swarthmore College earn a median of about $7,800 more per year than Pitt graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,800 vs. $58,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Swarthmore College graduates have a $7,409 lower median loan debt than Pitt graduates ($19,500 vs. $26,909).
• Among borrowers, Swarthmore graduates have an estimated $77 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pitt graduates ($201 vs. $278).
• More Swarthmore graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pitt students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 75%)

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.