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30.8%Acceptance
$62,560Tuition
1,346Students
86%Grad Rate (6-yr)
$75,217Earnings
#16 in PennsylvaniaPrivate nonprofit4-yearSAT/ACT Test OptionalLiberal ArtsStudy AbroadData: 2023-24

About Bryn Mawr College

Bryn Mawr shapes intellectual women who go on to break barriers across fields. This top liberal arts college produced actress Katharine Hepburn and Drew Gilpin Faust, the first female president of Harvard. The honor code runs deep here, creating a culture of trust and academic integrity. With just 1,346 students on a large suburban campus outside Philadelphia, classes stay intimate and discussions run intense.

The sticker price hits $82,250, but most families pay far less after aid. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay just $3,323 on average. Even middle-class families earning $75,000-$110,000 typically pay $25,044. Graduates earn a median of $75,217 ten years out, making the typical debt load of $25,000 manageable with monthly payments around $265. The 91.7% employment rate shows employers value a Bryn Mawr degree.

This is one of the last remaining women's colleges, creating a unique environment where female voices dominate every classroom and leadership role. The 8:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name and your potential. Nearly 90% of students return for sophomore year, suggesting they find what they're looking for in this demanding academic community.

Academics & Faculty

Bryn Mawr is one of the nation's most strong women's liberal arts colleges, where intellectual rigor meets close mentorship. The 8:1 student-faculty ratio creates an intimate academic environment where professors know students by name and engage them in Socratic dialogue. An impressive 84% of students graduate in four years, reflecting the college's strong academic support system. The school excels in the humanities, particularly classics, archaeology, and English literature, while also maintaining respected programs in mathematics and the sciences. Bryn Mawr's honor code governs all academic work, allowing students to take self-scheduled exams and fostering a culture of intellectual integrity that has defined the college since 1885.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio
8:1
Full-Time Faculty
84.2%
Graduation Rate (4-year)
84.0%
Graduation Rate (6-year)
85.6%
Retention Rate
89.7%
Median Earnings (10 years)
$75,217
Carnegie Classification
Liberal Arts College

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
ProgramLevelMedian Earnings
Social Work. Master $48,579
English Language and Literature, General. Bachelor $24,035
Anthropology. Bachelor $22,667
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. Bachelor $19,162

View all 60 programs →

Campus Life

The Main Line suburb sits 20 miles west of Philadelphia, where 95% of Bryn Mawr's 1,346 students live on the Gothic Revival campus. Pennsylvania winters mean heavy coats and snow boots, while spring brings the famous May Day celebration with elaborate Renaissance costumes and dancing around the maypole. The honor code runs deep here, allowing students to schedule their own exams and leave belongings unattended.

With an 8:1 student-faculty ratio, professors know your name and academic interests personally. Weekend traditions include Sunday brunch debates that can stretch for hours and Thursday night parties at neighboring Haverford College, accessible via the Blue Bus shuttle. The Bi-College partnership doubles your course options and social circle. Students often take the regional rail into Philadelphia for internships, museum visits, and city adventures. Campus life revolves around close-knit residence halls where first-years participate in elaborate traditions during orientation week. The combination of intellectual intensity and collaborative spirit creates lifelong friendships among the all-women student body.
Setting
Suburb-Large
Housing Capacity
1,279 beds
Calendar System
Semester
Study Abroad
Available
Founded
1885

Campus Safety (2023)

16 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
OffenseOn CampusResidentialNoncampusPublic Property
Fondling 3 3 0 0
Dating Violence 2 2 0 0
Burglary 1 1 0 0
Rape 1 1 0 0
Stalking 1 1 0 0

Climate & Weather

January Avg
22°–41°F
July Avg
66°–88°F
Annual Precipitation
50.7"
Annual Snowfall
25.3"

Student Demographics

Bryn Mawr draws ambitious women from across the country, with nearly 89% coming from out-of-state. The student body of 1,346 reflects the college's national reputation as an top women's institution. Only 14% receive Pell Grants, indicating a predominantly affluent population. The diverse mix includes 50% white students alongside significant Asian, Hispanic, and Black representation. These academically driven women, with SAT scores averaging 1388, seek the intellectual rigor and sisterhood that define this historic Seven Sisters college.
Men
0.0%
Women
100.0%
White
50.2%
Black
5.1%
Hispanic
10.2%
Asian
11.4%
In-State Students
11.1%
Pell Grant Recipients
14.3%

Location

Bryn Mawr College sits in the affluent Main Line suburb of Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, just 11 miles west of Philadelphia. The campus occupies 135 acres in one of the nation's wealthiest ZIP codes, surrounded by tree-lined streets and historic estates. Students can reach downtown Philadelphia in 30 minutes via SEPTA's regional rail system. The Main Line represents old-money East Coast culture, with manicured lawns and Gothic Revival architecture defining the landscape. Only 89.65% of students return each year, partly because the intense academic environment isn't for everyone. The suburban setting offers safety and prestige but limited nightlife compared to urban campuses. Students considering colleges in Pennsylvania may also compare Bryn Mawr with similar schools in the region.
Address
Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania 19010
Entrance Bryn Mawr
Entrance Bryn Mawr
Pembroke Hall at Bryn Mawr
Pembroke Hall at Bryn Mawr
Erdman Bryn Mawr
Erdman Bryn Mawr

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years)
$75,217
Median Earnings (5 years)
$57,709
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
$41,900
Loan Repayment Rate
79.1%
Monthly Loan Payment
$265/mo
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,000

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Bryn Mawr College?

Bryn Mawr College admits 30.75% of applicants, reflecting its status as a highly selective institution. The admitted students typically score between 1280-1495 on the SAT, with the college maintaining its reputation for academic excellence among women's colleges.

How much does Bryn Mawr College cost after financial aid?

The average net price at Bryn Mawr College is $40,690, lower than the full cost of attendance of $82,250. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay just $3,323 on average, demonstrating the college's commitment to making top education accessible.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Bryn Mawr College?

Bryn Mawr College maintains an 8:1 student-faculty ratio with only 1,346 students enrolled. This intimate academic environment supports the college's tradition of rigorous scholarship and close mentoring relationships that have produced notable alumnae like Katharine Hepburn and former Harvard president Drew Gilpin Faust.

What do graduates of Bryn Mawr College earn after graduation?

Bryn Mawr College graduates earn a median salary of $75,217 ten years after graduation, with an employment rate of 91.7%. The strong earning potential reflects the value of the college's liberal arts education and its network of accomplished alumnae across various fields.

Where do students live at Bryn Mawr College?

Bryn Mawr College houses 1,279 students on its suburban campus near Philadelphia, with room and board costing $18,690. The residential experience is central to the college's community culture, where students live under the famous honor code that governs both academic and social life.

Is Bryn Mawr College a women's college?

Bryn Mawr College enrolls 100% women, maintaining its founding mission as a women's college since 1885. As one of the remaining top women's colleges, it continues the tradition of helping women in leadership and scholarship that has produced presidents, poets, and pioneering scientists.