Swarthmore, PA 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
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
Academics Snapshot
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
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.
Scholarships & Financial Aid Snapshot
$80,014
$58,419
$21,595
Cost Breakdown
Estimated Cost:
$80,014for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
The sticker price at Swarthmore is $80,014. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.
It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any 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.
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 scholarships
Swarthmore College Financial Aid
Students who are applying for financial aid at Swarthmore need to submit both the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA), as well as the CSS Profile.
The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.
The FAFSA code for Swarthmore is 003370 and the CSS Profile Code is 2821.
It should be noted that while the FAFSA is free, the CSS Profile does require an application fee. However, students can qualify for a CSS Profile application fee waiver if the cost will present a financial hardship for the students’ family.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA or the CSS Profile, check out these resources:
Swarthmore 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 has committed to meeting 100% of applicants’ financial needs. They determine your financial need using the FAFSA and/or CSS Profile, and will ensure that your financial aid package covers any costs you 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, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to Swarthmore College.
You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
Swarthmore students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:
Swarthmore College Financial Aid Resources
If you are looking for more information about financial aid and scholarships at Swarthmore or have questions that are specific to your personal 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 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
Admissions Snapshot
7%
34
1485 is the median SAT score and 34 is the median ACT score for admitted students at Swarthmore. A score that is close to this median value indicates that you have a good chance of admission to the institution. However, it’s important to remember that colleges judge applications holistically. If the rest of your application is strong, it’s possible to make up for lower test scores.
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, applicants to Swarthmore College will have to write a supplemental essay in order to complete their application. Luckily, we have a guide to help you through that 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 it does not require applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that some students will submit their test scores and others will not. If you choose not to submit your ACT or SAT score, the admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurricular activities, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you are not sure whether you should submit your standardized test scores, our guide on submitting scores to test-optional schools can help.
What SAT/ACT score do you need to get into Swarthmore College?
Colleges use standardized tests like the SAT and ACT as one of many factors to determine their admissions decisions. A high score on one of these tests does not guarantee admission to a college, and a low score does not guarantee rejection. However, the majority of accepted applicants to Swarthmore College receive between a 32 and a 35 on their ACT, or a 1425 and a 1555 on their SAT.
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.
Early Decision I
Early Decision II
Regular Decision
What is the application deadline at Swarthmore?
Students must apply by January 4 to enroll at Swarthmore during the fall semester. Remember that college applications involve many pieces, including essays, a transcript, letters of recommendation, and more. Be sure to start your application as soon as you can to make sure you have enough time to make it as compelling as possible.
At Swarthmore students also have the opportunity to apply Early Decision. In order to take advantage of this option, you’ll have to have your application in by November 15.
You can also choose to apply Early Decision II, with a later deadline of January 4.
Should I apply Regular or Early Decision to Swarthmore?
Applying to Swarthmore with Early Decision can be a great decision if you are 100% sure you want to go there. You’ll find out your admissions decision earlier than other students, and some data shows that you may help your admissions chances. However, you should keep in mind that Early Decision is binding. If you do get into the school, you won’t be able to change your mind later. If there is any doubt in your mind, you should apply Early Action or Regular Decision instead.
Read more: All you need to know about Early Action vs Early 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.
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.
Student Outcomes Snapshot
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 end up finishing 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?
10 years after starting school at Swarthmore College, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $80,257. This is $29,866 more than the national median.
Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at Swarthmore take out in loans?
Graduates of Swarthmore have to take out a median of $17,500 in federal student loans. This is $4,000 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our 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.
Join for exclusive scholarships, personalized matching, and application tracking. 0% Spam, 100% Free.