Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA · Northeast
- Acceptance rate
- 7.5%
- SAT mid-50
- 1490-1560
- Cost after aid
- $23,149
- Graduation rate
- 92%
What Swarthmore College says matters
How Swarthmore College rates each admissions factor in its Common Data Set, with the full published numbers below.
- Acceptance rate
- 7.5%
- 975 of 13,065
- Yield
- 44%
- 427 enrolled
- SAT mid-50
- 1500-1550
- ACT mid-50
- 33-35
- CDS year
- 2024-25
Acceptance rate by gender
- Men
- 8.1%465 of 5,746
- Women
- 7.0%510 of 7,311
Very important
- Rigor of secondary school record
- Class rank
- Academic GPA
- Standardized test scores
- Application essay
- Recommendations
- Extracurricular activities
- Talent or ability
- Character or personal qualities
- First generation
- Alumni relation
- Geographical residence
- State residency
- Religious affiliation or commitment
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
The full Common Data Set
Every figure Swarthmore College published for 2024-25, section by section.
First-Time, First-Year Admission50
Applications
- Total first-time, first-year men who applied
- 5,746
- Total first-time, first-year women who applied
- 7,311
- Total first-time, first-year unknown gender who applied
- 8
- Total first-time, first-year men who were admitted
- 465
- Total first-time, first-year women who were admitted
- 510
- Total full-time, first-time, first-year men who enrolled
- 203
- Total full-time, first-time, first-year women who enrolled
- 224
- Total first-time, first-year students who applied
- 13,065
- Total first-time, first-year students who were admitted
- 975
- Total first-time, first-year students who enrolled
- 427
- Total first-time, first-year who enrolled
- 202
- Total first-time, first-year who enrolled
- 3
- Total first-time, first-year who enrolled
- 202
Basis for Selection
- Rigor of secondary school record
- Very Important
- Class rank
- Very Important
- Academic GPA
- Very Important
- Standardized test scores
- Very Important
- Application Essay
- Very Important
- Recommendation(s)
- Very Important
- Extracurricular activities
- Very Important
- Talent/ability
- Very Important
- Character/personal qualities
- Very Important
- First generation
- Very Important
- Alumni/ae relation
- Very Important
- Geographical residence
- Very Important
- State residency
- Very Important
- Religious affiliation/commitment
- Very Important
- Volunteer work
- Very Important
- Work experience
- Very Important
First-time, first-year Profile
- Submitting SAT Scores
- 0.393
- Submitting ACT Scores
- 0.162
- Submitting SAT Scores
- 168
- Submitting ACT Scores
- 69
- SAT Composite: 25th Percentile
- 1,500
- SAT Composite: 50th Percentile
- 1,530
- SAT Composite: 75th Percentile
- 1,550
- SAT Math: 25th Percentile
- 750
- SAT Math: 50th Percentile
- 780
- SAT Math: 75th Percentile
- 790
- ACT Composite: 25th Percentile
- 33%
- ACT Composite: 50th Percentile
- 34%
- ACT Composite: 75th Percentile
- 35%
- ACT Math: 25th Percentile
- 31%
- ACT Math: 50th Percentile
- 33%
- ACT Math: 75th Percentile
- 35%
- ACT English: 25th Percentile
- 35%
- ACT English: 50th Percentile
- 35%
- ACT English: 75th Percentile
- 36%
- ACT Composite: Below 6
- 100
Admission Policies
- If yes, maximum period of postponement:
- -
Transfer Admission2
Application for Admission
- Standardized test scores
- Not Required
- Statement of good standing from prior institution(s)
- Not Required
Financial Aid1
Reporting Year
- 2024-2025
- 2024-2025 estimated
Disciplinary Areas of Degrees Conferred1
Diploma/Certificates
- TOTAL (should = 100%)
- 100%
Enrollment And Persistence6
Graduation Rates
- Total
- 2,023
- Total
- 2,024
- Total
- 2,018
- Total
- 2,022
- Total
- 2,023
- 2021 Cohort
- 150
About Swarthmore College
Swarthmore College is a very small private university in Swarthmore, PA, in a city setting.
What Swarthmore College looks for
Acceptance is roughly 7%, so admitted students nearly always have stats above the bottom of the mid-50. That said, stats alone do not get anyone in here. The applications that work read as coherent applicants with a clear academic and personal narrative more than as resumes. Admissions officers are reading for specifics: what you actually did, what you cared enough to follow through on, and how you write when you sound like yourself rather than a candidate.
Frequently asked
What SAT score do I need for Swarthmore College?
Swarthmore College's middle 50% SAT range is 1490 to 1560. A score in or above that band keeps you in the conversation; below it, the rest of your application has to do more work.
What ACT score do I need for Swarthmore College?
Middle 50% ACT range is 33 to 35. The top of that range or above is what most admitted students submit when they choose to send a score.
What is the acceptance rate at Swarthmore College?
Swarthmore College admits roughly 7% of applicants. That makes it a reach for nearly everyone, regardless of stats.
What does Swarthmore College actually cost after financial aid?
Average net cost (after institutional aid) is about $23,149 per year. Net cost varies enormously by family income; run the school's net price calculator for an estimate that reflects your situation.
Is Swarthmore College a reach, match, or safety for me?
Compare your stats to the middle 50% above. If you are at or below the 25th percentile, treat Swarthmore College as a reach. If you are in the middle 50%, it is a match. Above the 75th percentile and the school accepts above 25% overall, it is closer to a safety. Selectivity below 20% should be treated as a reach for everyone, period.
