Haverford College: 14.2% Acceptance Rate

14.2%Acceptance

$68,300Tuition

1,421Students

89%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$79,966Earnings

#7 in PennsylvaniaPrivate nonprofit4-yearSAT/ACT Test OptionalLiberal ArtsNCAA Division IIIStudy AbroadData: 2023-24

About Haverford College

Haverford's honor code shapes everything from unproctored exams to self-scheduled finals at this Quaker-founded institution. The college enrolls just 1,421 students in a large suburban setting outside Philadelphia, creating an intimate academic environment where everyone knows each other. Notable graduates include musician Dave Matthews and Nobel Prize-winning physicist Joseph Taylor Jr. Students work closely with faculty in an 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio. The honor code isn't just a policy but a lived tradition that governs academic and social life.

The sticker price hits $88,420 annually, but most families pay far less through generous aid packages. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay just $3,600 net price, while those from middle-class families earning $48,000-$75,000 pay $15,500. Graduates earn a median of $79,966 ten years after graduation with typical debt of only $13,621. The low debt load makes the investment worthwhile, especially with a 90.4% four-year graduation rate keeping students on track.

The college attracts students from across the country, with only 13.5% coming from Pennsylvania. Haverford competes with rival Swarthmore in NCAA Division III athletics, fielding 18 varsity teams with 429 student-athletes. The close-knit community means 93.7% of students return for sophomore year.

Academics & Faculty

Haverford operates as a strong liberal arts college where students explore diverse fields without professional pre-specialization. The 8:1 student-faculty ratio creates an intimate academic environment where professors know students personally and engage them in collaborative research. Nearly 90% of students graduate within four years, reflecting the strong academic support system. The college's honor code governs all aspects of academic life, including self-scheduled exams and unproctored testing. Students regularly cite the honor code as transformative to their intellectual development. Haverford excels in the natural sciences, with notable strength in physics and astronomy that has produced Nobel laureates. The college also maintains strong programs in economics, political science, and philosophy.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 8:1
Full-Time Faculty: 85.5%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 90.4%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 89.4%
Retention Rate: 93.7%
Median Earnings (10 years): $79,966
Carnegie Classification: Liberal Arts College

Campus Life

The Main Line suburb sits 20 minutes from Philadelphia by train, giving students easy access to internships and city culture. With housing capacity for 1,423 students and total enrollment of 1,421, nearly everyone lives on campus in a tight-knit residential community. The 8:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name and academic interests personally.

Pennsylvania winters require a good coat, while spring and fall offer perfect weather for the campus's tree-lined paths and historic stone buildings. The famous Honor Code shapes daily interactions - students take unproctored exams and leave belongings unattended around campus. With 429 total athletes across 18 varsity sports, about 30% of students compete in Division III athletics. Weekend social life centers around campus parties, Philadelphia day trips, and the strong traditions that bind this Quaker-founded community. Students gather for weekly Collection (all-school meeting) and maintain the consensus-based student government that reflects Haverford's collaborative values. The 93.65% retention rate reflects how students embrace this academically rigorous but supportive environment.

Setting: Suburb-Large
Housing Capacity: 1,423 beds
Calendar System: Semester
Study Abroad: Available
Founded: 1833

Campus Safety (2023)

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

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential
Rape	4	4
Burglary	4	3
Stalking	2	2
Aggravated Assault	1	1
Dating Violence	1	1
Fondling	1	1

Climate & Weather

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

Student Demographics

Students travel from across the country to attend this Quaker-founded liberal arts college, with only 13% coming from Pennsylvania. The honor code attracts academically serious students who scored an average 1485 on the SAT. Women make up 57% of the student body, drawn to Haverford's collaborative academic culture and strong social sciences programs. The college draws a predominantly white student population at 49%, though Hispanic and Asian students each represent 12% of enrollment. Only 14% receive Pell Grants, reflecting the school's appeal to upper-middle-class families seeking an intimate intellectual community.

Men: 43.4%
Women: 56.7%
White: 48.6%
Black: 5.2%
Hispanic: 12.3%
Asian: 12.3%
In-State Students: 13.5%
Pell Grant Recipients: 14.1%

Location

Haverford sits in suburban Philadelphia, just 10 miles west of Center City. The campus occupies 216 acres in one of the Main Line's most affluent communities. Students can reach downtown Philadelphia by train in under 30 minutes via SEPTA's Regional Rail. The surrounding area blends historic charm with modern amenities typical of Pennsylvania's wealthy suburbs. Haverford's 13.47% in-state enrollment reflects its national draw beyond Pennsylvania borders. The college benefits from proximity to Philadelphia's internship opportunities while maintaining a peaceful suburban setting. Tree-lined streets and historic estates characterize the Main Line corridor. Students considering colleges in Pennsylvania may also compare Haverford with similar schools in the region.

Address: Haverford, Pennsylvania 19041-1392

The Haverford College duck pond through 3 seasons

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years): $79,966
Median Earnings (5 years): $69,576
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $44,100
Loan Repayment Rate: 90.6%
Monthly Loan Payment: $144/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $13,621

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Haverford College?

Haverford College accepts just 14.21% of applicants, making it highly selective. The incoming students typically score between 1430-1540 on the SAT, reflecting the college's reputation for academic excellence among top liberal arts schools.

How much does Haverford College cost after financial aid?

While the total cost reaches $88,420 annually, the average net price drops to $25,210 after aid. Families earning under $30,000 pay just $3,600, demonstrating the college's commitment to making education accessible despite its high sticker price.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Haverford College?

Haverford maintains an 8:1 student-faculty ratio with only 1,421 total students. This intimate setting allows for the close mentoring relationships and collaborative academic culture that define the Haverford experience.

What do Haverford College graduates earn after college?

Haverford graduates earn a median of $79,966 ten years after graduation with relatively low debt of $13,621. The 90.40% four-year graduation rate reflects the strong academic support that helps students complete their degrees efficiently.

Where is Haverford College located and what is campus life like?

Haverford sits in suburban Philadelphia with housing for nearly all of its 1,421 students on campus. The college fields 18 varsity sports teams with 429 student-athletes competing in NCAA Division III, creating a tight-knit community atmosphere.

Does Haverford College have an honor code?

Haverford operates under a student-governed honor code that has shaped campus culture since 1833. With a 93.65% retention rate, students clearly embrace this system of academic and social trust that allows for unproctored exams and collaborative learning.