Wellesley vs. Swarthmore

Comparable Facts

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

Wellesley College is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (2,407 students vs. 1,623 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Wellesley vs. Swarthmore Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wellesley 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 Wellesley College than Swarthmore ($22,174 vs. $22,469).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Swarthmore College are 3.4% lower than at Wellesley College ($20,308 vs. $21,024).
• Wellesley College is 2.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Swarthmore (about $1,682 more per year; $67,176.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.6% higher at Wellesley than at Swarthmore College (about $1,682 more per year; $67,176.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Swarthmore College than at Wellesley College (57% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wellesley College students is 4% larger than aid received by Swarthmore College students ($64,116 vs. $61,634).

Wellesley vs. Swarthmore Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wellesley 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 Wellesley.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Swarthmore College (1530) is 20 points higher than at Wellesley (1510).
• Incoming Wellesley 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: Wellesley College 1460/1560; Swarthmore College 1490/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wellesley College 33/35; Swarthmore College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wellesley - Test optional; Swarthmore - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wellesley Jan 8, 2027; Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Swarthmore students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Wellesley (3.86).
• Wellesley has a higher acceptance rate (14%) than Swarthmore (7.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47.6% at Wellesley vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

Wellesley vs. Swarthmore Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wellesley 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 Wellesley College's (92%).
• Graduates from Wellesley College earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than Swarthmore graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,100 vs. $65,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wellesley College graduates have a $10,600 lower median loan debt than Swarthmore graduates ($8,900 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Wellesley graduates have an estimated $109 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Swarthmore graduates ($92 vs. $201).
• More Swarthmore graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wellesley students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 86%)

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.