Overview
From Swarthmore
Swarthmore meets 100% of determined need with loan-free financial aid, and practices need-blind admissions for US citizens, permanent residents and undocumented students. We are a close-knit community where brilliant people with bright ideas come together for the common good (without the distraction of grades during the pass/fail first semester). As one of the top liberal arts institutions in the nation – which features an accredited engineering program – Swarthmore offers close access to faculty and hands-on research opportunities. Located 11 miles southwest of Philadelphia, students can explore our beautiful arboretum campus and take the train (with free train tickets provided by the College) to Philadelphia for the best of campus and city life.
Events & Resources
Admissions Blog
Check out SwatStories, the admissions blog written by current students.
Swarthmore Residence Hall Tour
Check out the various types of residences on Swarthmore's campus.
Liberal Arts
Suburb
Need Blind
SupplementalEssay
100% Need
QuestBridge
Scholarships & Financial Aid
From Swarthmore
Affordability Overview
Swarthmore’s commitment to financial aid and access is at the core of our educational mission. Fifty-one percent of our student body received need-based Swarthmore Scholarship aid in 2022-23 from an overall financial aid budget of nearly $48 million. We have three distinctive commitments:
- We practice need blind admissions for all U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and undocumented/DACA students graduating from a U.S. high school. This means we make an admissions decision independent of financial decisions.
- Swarthmore meets 100% of determined financial need for all eligible admitted students.
- Swarthmore’s financial aid is loan-free. Our financial aid awards consist of grants (which do not need to be repaid) and include the expectation that students will work in a part-time campus-based job.
Beyond financial aid, we work to reduce the hidden fees of college. There are no “additional fees” at Swarthmore. Nearly everything is included in the annual activity fee, so things like movie nights, laundry, printing, and athletic events are free to all students. The Textbook Affordability Initiative provides funds to support students’ textbook purchases in the Swarthmore Campus & Community Store. All students receive an $800 allowance each year to cover the cost of required course materials.
Scholarships Overview
From Swarthmore
The majority of aid awarded at Swarthmore is need based aid and we meet 100% of determined need for all eligible admitted students. We do offer one merit based scholarship, the Thomas B. McCabe ’15 Achievement Award and all applicants are automatically considered.
$80,014
$58,419
$21,595
Cost Breakdown
Estimated Cost:
$80,014The sticker price at Swarthmore is $80,014. This includes the cost of tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and other miscellaneous expenses.
The cost of attendance can vary from year to year and will typically rise over your four years in college. That said, colleges will recalculate your financial aid every year to take price increases and changes in your financial situation into account.
College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at Swarthmore would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.
Swarthmore College Financial Aid
To apply for financial aid at Swarthmore you’ll need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as well as the CSS Profile.
The FAFSA and CSS Profile use financial information from the prior, prior year. That means you can submit the forms even if you or your parents haven’t filed last year’s taxes.
The FAFSA code for Swarthmore is 003370 and the CSS Profile Code is 2821.
The FAFSA is completely free, while the CSS Profile charges a fee for each college you send it to. If you have demonstrated financial need, you may qualify for a CSS Profile fee waiver.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA or the CSS Profile, check out these resources:
Using State Grants at Swarthmore
Pennsylvania residents considering Swarthmore should be sure to look at Pennsylvania state grant programs. Two of the biggest educational grant programs in PA are PHEAA and TIP. PHEAA offers funding for Pennsylvania students who are enrolled at least half-time in an institution and program approved by PHEAA. Students must meet certain academic and financial criteria in order to qualify. TIP, also known as PA-TIP, offers funding to students pursuing a degree in a field that the state designates as high-demand. Here are those fields in 2024:
- Energy
- Health
- Advanced Materials and Diversified Manufacturing
- Agriculture and Food Production
Apply to these scholarships due soon
See more Pennsylvania scholarshipsSwarthmore College QuestBridge Scholarships
Swarthmore is a member of QuestBridge, which is a prestigious scholarship program that supports high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds. Students who are “matched” to Swarthmore College through QuestBridge receive a four year, full ride scholarship to the school. If you are interested in learning more about QuestBridge, you can check out our QuestBridge Scholarship guide.
Swarthmore College’s 100% Need-Met Guarantee
Swarthmore meets 100% of admitted students’ financial need. Using the FAFSA and/or CSS Profile, they calculate your need and offer a combination of scholarships and federal loans to cover any costs you and your family cannot pay.
No Loan Policy at Swarthmore
Swarthmore is a no-loan school, which means that their financial aid packages offer students grants and scholarships in place of the federal loans that are typically part of a package. This means that their financial aid is more generous than most, and they help bridge the gap between cost and student need. Some no-loan schools offer this policy for all accepted students while others only extend it to students below a specific income level, or to in-state students. Be sure to check Swarthmore's website for details on their No-Loan policy.
Pell Grants at Swarthmore College
20% of students at Swarthmore College receive Pell Grants.
The federal government awards Pell Grants to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need by filling out the FAFSA. Students with a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible. Pell Grants do not be repaid. If you receive a Pell Grant, the award amount should remain consistent at any college you gain admission to. You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
Students can use outside scholarships to supplement their financial aid package at Swarthmore. Outside scholarships are awards offered by private and non-profit organizations separate from their college. To browse vetted, reliable outside scholarships, check out our popular lists:
Swarthmore College Financial Aid Resources
For more information about financial aid at Swarthmore, or for questions that are specific to your financial situation, we recommend that you reach out directly to the financial aid office!
Here’s how you can get in touch:
- Website: https://www.swarthmore.edu/financial-aid
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 610-328-8358
Admissions
Admissions Overview
From Swarthmore
We work hard to identify a potential “match” between you and Swarthmore. We look for students who are most likely to thrive in our classrooms, living spaces, and campus community. While no individual student can epitomize all of Swarthmore’s values, these are qualities and attributes that we elevate in our application review process:
- Intellectual curiosity and an enthusiasm for learning
- Creative and proactive problem-solving
- Generosity toward others
- Civic engagement
- Willingness to work hard and to seek help
- Potential contributions to campus life
- Sustained commitment
- Open-mindedness in general and to the liberal arts writ large
7%
34
1485
Coalition Colleges
Swarthmore is a Coalition Member College, which means they have completed a vigorous vetting process from the Coalition for College to ensure that they “provide substantial support to lower-income, under-resourced and/or first-generation students; offer responsible student financial aid; and demonstrate a commitment to student graduation.” That also means you can apply to Swarthmore via the Coalition Application. The Coalition Application makes it easy to obtain application fee waivers if you qualify. It’s also a great way to discover other colleges that have demonstrated a strong commitment to affordability and strong student outcomes.
Does Swarthmore have a supplemental essay?
Yes, Swarthmore College includes a supplemental essay in their application. Luckily, Scholarships360 has a free guide to help you answer Swarthmore's essay prompt and stand out in the application process.
Swarthmore Supplemental Essay Guide
Is Swarthmore test-optional?
Swarthmore College is test-optional, which means that applicants are permitted, but not required, to submit their standardized test scores. If you choose not to submit your scores, admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurriculars, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you aren’t sure whether to submit your standardized test scores, Scholarships360’s guide on whether to submit your test scores to test-optional schools can help.
Can students submit their SAT or ACT Superscore to Swarthmore?
Yes, applicants can submit their SAT or ACT Superscore when they apply to Swarthmore College. You should be able to find your superscore for either test on your student portal. Keep in mind that some colleges only allow Superscores for one of the two tests, so be sure to check their website for exact details on the Superscore policy.
What is the application deadline at Swarthmore?
Early Decision I
Early Decision II
Regular Decision
Is Swarthmore College need-blind?
Yes, Swarthmore College has need-blind admissions, which means they do not take financial need into account when they decide who to accept. If your FAFSA and/or CSS Profile indicate that you would need substantial financial aid, you will still be on equal footing with applicants who do not require any aid at all.
Academics
Student/Faculty Ratio
8:1
Graduation Rate
94%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Social Sciences
24%
24% of graduates
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
11%
11% of graduates
Computer & Information Sciences
8%
8% of graduates
Engineering
7%
7% of graduates
Mathematics
6%
6% of graduates
Physical Sciences
6%
6% of graduates
Education
6%
6% of graduates
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies.
5%
5% of graduates
Visual & Performing Arts
5%
5% of graduates
English Language & Literature
4%
4% of graduates
History
4%
4% of graduates
Psychology
4%
4% of graduates
Languages & Literatures
3%
3% of graduates
Natural Resources & Conservation
3%
3% of graduates
Philosophy & Religious Studies
3%
3% of graduates
Area, Ethnic, Cultural, & Gender Studies
2%
2% of graduates
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
1,619
Pell Grant 19%
Undergrad Students Over 25 0%
Percent Male / Female 49% / 51%
Ethnic Diversity at Swarthmore
32% White
18% Asian / Pacific Islander
14% Hispanic
14% International / Non-Citizen
10% Multiracial
9% Black
3% Unknown
Student Outcomes
Student Outcomes Overview
From Swarthmore
Next Steps for Swarthmore Graduates
Graduating seniors enter a variety of careers, including business, public service, scientific research, economics and policy research, law, writing/editing, technology, engineering, and education. Swarthmore alumni regularly attend the nation’s finest graduate and professional programs, and in a recent national survey — with acceptance rates well above the national average. Swarthmore alumni also ranked third-highest in the country for earned doctorates across all disciplines. Explore the eclectic and sometimes surprising pathways Swarthmore alumni forge in our online guide to Swarthmore outcomes.
How We Help
Swarthmore cultivates interdisciplinary collaborations that enable students to pursue fascinating careers. We offer a wide-ranging, valuable set of programs and resources that help Swatties figure out how to apply their knowledge in practical and meaningful ways after graduation.
Graduate Income
$80,257
Median Debt $17,500
Debt 10 years after graduation $186
Graduation Rate 94%
What is the graduation rate at Swarthmore College?
94% of students who start at Swarthmore College finish their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 36% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.
How much do graduates of Swarthmore College go on to earn?
The median income of students 10 years after starting at Swarthmore College is $80,257. This is $29,866 more than the national median.
This data is from the College Scorecard, which only surveys students from Swarthmore College who received federal financial aid.
Graduate earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Major and career path are two important factors in how much a student goes on to earn. For more information, check out Scholarships360’s article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at Swarthmore take out in loans?
Graduates of Swarthmore take out a median of $17,500 in federal student loans. As you make decisions about your college loans, be sure to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Scholarships360’s guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.
Data Sources
We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.
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