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Swarthmore College

#12 in Best Liberal Arts Colleges in America
  • A+
    Overall Grade
  • 4 Year
  • Swarthmore, PA
  • 393 reviews
    A+
    Overall Niche Grade
    How are grades calculated?
    1. Academics
      A+
    2. Value
      A+
    3. Diversity
      A+
    4. Campus
      B-
    5. Athletics
      B-
    6. Party Scene
      C
    7. Professors
      A+
    8. Location
      B-
    9. Dorms
      B+
    10. Campus Food
      B-
    11. Student Life
      B+
    12. Safety
      B-
    View Full Report Card
    Swarthmore is a highly rated private college located in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania in the Philadelphia Area. It is a small institution with an enrollment of 1,573 undergraduate students. Admissions is extremely competitive as the Swarthmore acceptance rate is 11%. Popular majors include Economics, Information Science, and Biology. Graduating 94% of students, Swarthmore alumni go on to earn a starting salary of $38,300.
    About Swarthmore College...
    Athletic Division
    NCAA Division III (without football)
    Athletic Conference
    Centennial Conference
    Address
    500 College Ave
    Swarthmore, PA 19081
    Website
    swarthmore.edu

    Swarthmore College Rankings

    Niche rankings are based on rigorous analysis of key statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and millions of reviews.

    Admissions

    Acceptance Rate
    11%
    Application Deadline
    January 1
    SAT Range
    1380-1540
    ACT Range
    31-34
    Application Fee
    $60
    SAT/ACT
    Required
    High School GPA
    Considered but not required
    Early Decision/Early Action
    Yes

    Test Prep

    SAT and ACT Prep Options
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    Cost

    Net Price
    $20,444/ year
    National
    $15,523
    Average cost after financial aid for students receiving grant or scholarship aid, as reported by the college.
    Average Total Aid Awarded
    $46,105/ year
    National
    $7,535
    Students Receiving Financial Aid
    63%

    Academics

    Professors
    A+
    Based on faculty accomplishments, salary, student reviews, and additional factors.
    Student Faculty Ratio
    8:1
    Evening Degree Programs
    No
    96%
    of students agree that professors put a lot of effort into teaching their classes.26 responses
    73%
    of students agree that it is easy to get the classes they want.30 responses
    23%
    of students agree that the workload is easy to manage.30 responses

    Majors

    Most Popular Majors
    • Economics
      56 Graduates
    • Information Science
      48 Graduates
    • Biology
      42 Graduates
    • Mathematics
      36 Graduates
    • Engineering
      35 Graduates
    • Political Science and Government
      35 Graduates
    • Research and Experimental Psychology
      35 Graduates
    • Education
      22 Graduates
    • Sociology
      20 Graduates
    • Neuroscience and Neurobiology
      18 Graduates

    Students

    Full-Time Enrollment
    1,573Undergrads
    Part-Time Undergrads
    4
    Undergrads Over 25
    0%
    Pell Grant
    19%
    Varsity Athletes
    26%
    Poll
    What one word or phrase best describes the typical student at this school?
    Based on 15 responses
    Report
    • Unique
      33%
    • Intelligent
      27%
    • Weird
      20%
    • Intense
      7%
    • Stressed
      7%
    • Swatkward
      7%

    Campus Life

    Freshmen Live On-Campus
    100%
    Poll
    57%
    of students say Greek life is pretty low-key and has little effect on the social scene.35 responses
    Poll
    77%
    of students say varsity sporting events are attended, but not a huge part of campus life.31 responses
    Poll
    What one word or phrase best describes your school?
    Based on 16 responses
    Report
    • Intense
      50%
    • Opportunities around every corner
      19%
    • Rewarding
      19%
    • Wonderful
      13%

    After College

    Median Earnings 6 Years After Graduation
    $56,700/ year
    National
    $33,028
    Graduation Rate
    94%
    National
    49%
    Employed 2 Years After Graduation
    85%
    National
    83%
    86%
    of students feel confident they will find a job in their field after graduation.14 responses
    Colleges like Swarthmore College
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    Swarthmore College Reviews

    393 reviews
    All Categories
    Academics 5 Star! However, as a parent of a current student at Swarthmore, I am disgusted by the behavior of these so called “social justice warriors”! They have destroyed social life on campus by dissolving the fraternities. The “sit in” was ridiculous and in the real world they all would have been thrown of the frat house. The libel and slander that ensued are litigious. It is so sad that such a great academic school will attract only over the top liberal snowflakes! Swarthmore graduates will have a difficult time being hired by me and others with their crazy antics....unless, of course, they were lucky enough to have been part of the fraternities! If you want a social life or you want constructive conversations about social issues, look elsewhere!
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    Among the best undergrad programs on earth. The combination of intellectual students, excellent professors, the beautiful campus, and close proximity to Philly is unbeatable. Attending this college really feels like you're going to Hogwarts. Don't get me wrong - this is a rigorous school that will test you at every level, but comparably to other famously rigorous schools you'll likely have a lot more fun and it's 100% worth it. The undergraduate education that you get here (if you do it right and take interesting classes that fulfill your requirements) is highly multidisciplinary and truly prepares you to think about any subject deeply. The Quaker tradition, the history of this school, and the culture of critical thinker/intellectual students makes this a unique and valuable place - and one of the best educations around.
    Swarthmore offers an unparalleled undergraduate academic experience. Classes are intense and stimulating. Professors are helpful and accessible.

    However, be warned, do not attend Swarthmore for the prestige, because there is none. Hardly anyone has heard of Swarthmore. You will become disgruntled as peers fawn over Ivy League schools and high tier research universities, while you receive little to no recognization for working hard to not only get admitted into, but maintain yourself, at Swarthmore.