WUSTL vs. Swarthmore

Comparable Facts

Compare Washington University in St Louis in St. Louis, MO with Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Washington University in St Louis is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (16,357 students vs. 1,623 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Washington University in St Louis is located in St. Louis, MO (Large Suburban setting); Swarthmore College is in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Washington University in St Louis is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Washington University in St Louis 7:1; Swarthmore College 7:1.

WUSTL vs. Swarthmore Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WUSTL 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 Washington University in St Louis than Swarthmore ($22,408 vs. $22,469).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Swarthmore College are 7.1% lower than at Washington University in St Louis ($20,308 vs. $21,854).
• Washington University in St Louis is 0.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Swarthmore (about $296 more per year; $65,790.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.5% higher at WUSTL than at Swarthmore College (about $296 more per year; $65,790.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Swarthmore College than at Washington University in St Louis (57% vs. 49%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Washington University in St Louis students is 7.2% larger than aid received by Swarthmore College students ($66,080 vs. $61,634).

WUSTL vs. Swarthmore Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WUSTL 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 WUSTL .

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Washington University in St Louis (1540) is 10 points higher than at Swarthmore (1530).
• Incoming WUSTL 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: Washington University in St Louis 1500/1570; Swarthmore College 1490/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Washington University in St Louis 33/35; Swarthmore College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WUSTL - Test optional; Swarthmore - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WUSTL Jan 4, 2027; Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WUSTL students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at Swarthmore (3.9).
• WUSTL has a higher acceptance rate (12.1%) than Swarthmore (7.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.7% at WUSTL vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

WUSTL vs. Swarthmore Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WUSTL 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 Washington University in St Louis's (93%).
• Graduates from Washington University in St Louis earn a median of about $17,000 more per year than Swarthmore graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,800 vs. $65,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Swarthmore College graduates have a $400 lower median loan debt than WUSTL graduates ($19,500 vs. $19,900).
• Among borrowers, Swarthmore graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WUSTL graduates ($201 vs. $205).
• More WUSTL graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Swarthmore students, three years after graduation. (88% 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.