Swarthmore College

10/10 Overall Rating
4 Year
Swarthmore, PA
5.0 3 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Pennsylvania

Overview Admission Cost Majors Diversity Outcomes Salaries Location Compare Reviews Admission Calculator

Overview

Total enrollment

1,623

Location Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
Website swarthmore.edu
Type Private 4 Year
Setting Large Suburban

Best Colleges Rank

#40

Size Small
Status Non-profit
Housing Yes
Level of Study Undergrad

Situated in the suburban community of Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, 11 miles southwest of Philadelphia, Swarthmore College occupies a 425-acre arboretum campus known for its distinctive stone buildings and wooded landscape. Founded by Quakers in 1864, the liberal arts college maintains highly selective admission standards and is recognized as one of the premier undergraduate institutions in the United States. The college operates on a four-course semester system and is particularly strong in engineering, social sciences, and biological sciences, offering students the unique opportunity to pursue an engineering degree within a liberal arts framework. Nearly all students live in college housing throughout their four years, residing in residence halls and converted Victorian-era homes spread across the campus, which features the Scott Arboretum's extensive collection of ornamental plants integrated throughout the grounds.

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Ratings

Swarthmore is rated within the top 9% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 10 out of 10.

Overall Rating

10 out of 10
Academics

10 out of 10
Resources

10 out of 10
Outcomes

9 out of 10
Value

10 out of 10

Learn how ratings are calculated

Rankings

Rankings for Swarthmore College within the 2027 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.

Best Colleges in the U.S.

#40
Best Private Colleges in the U.S.

#40
Best Colleges in Pennsylvania

#2
Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

#2
Best Value Colleges in the U.S.

#27
Best Value Colleges in Pennsylvania

#2

Learn how rankings are calculated

Admissions

Admission Standards

Exceptional

SAT (enrolled mid-50) 1490/1560
ACT (enrolled mid-50) 33/35

Acceptance Rate

7.5%

Applications Due Jan 4, 2027
Enrollment Rate 43.8%
Application Fee $60

Applicant Competition Extreme

Very Low

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Annual Cost to Attend

Tuition

$65,494

Costs for Swarthmore College
Fee		Cost
Tuition		$65,494
Books and Supplies		$760
Other Fees		$436
Room and Board		$20,308
Budget for Other Expenses		$2,134
Total One Year Cost		$89,132

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Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$65,800 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

95% within 6 years

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Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at Swarthmore College are Social Sciences, Biology, and Foreign Languages. 29% of students major in Social Sciences, 11% in Biology, and 8% in Foreign Languages.