Overview
Swarthmore College is a extremely selective private four-year institution in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. The school accepts 6.9% of applicants and enrolls 1,627 students.
Admission Statistics
- Acceptance Rate
- 6.9%
- Average SAT
- 1,500
- SAT Range (25th–75th)
- 1,440–1,560
- ACT Composite (avg)
- 34
- Total Enrollment
- 1,627
Your Chances by SAT Score
Your score is above the 75th percentile. You are a competitive applicant.
Your score falls within the middle 50% of admitted students.
Your score is below the 25th percentile. Other parts of your application will need to stand out.
Admission Guide
Swarthmore's admissions office cares most about your intellectual engagement outside the classroom and how you'll contribute to the college's culture of social responsibility. The Honors Program, which allows students to take seminars and write theses in their final two years, attracts applicants who want to push themselves academically without the pressure of grades.
Your essays should reference specific aspects of Swarthmore's activist culture, like the college's history with the civil rights movement or current student-run social justice initiatives. Don't write generically about wanting to "make a difference" - mention concrete programs like the Lang Center for Civic and Social Responsibility or the college's carbon neutrality commitment. The admissions committee wants to see that you understand Swarthmore's particular blend of academic intensity and social consciousness.
Don't assume this is just another elite liberal arts college. Swarthmore students take themselves and their work seriously in a way that differs from peers like Williams or Middlebury. The college's Quaker heritage still influences campus culture through consensus-based decision making and plain speaking. Your application should reflect comfort with this earnest, unpretentious environment.
Apply Early Decision if Swarthmore is your clear first choice. The college fills a significant portion of its class through ED, and your demonstrated commitment matters more here than at larger universities where yield protection isn't as important.
Your "Why Swarthmore" supplement should avoid mentioning small class sizes or close relationships with professors - every applicant writes about these. Focus instead on specific professors whose research interests you, particular courses in the catalog, or how you'd engage with the college's distinctive programs like the Peace and Conflict Studies concentration or the Interpretation Theory course that's become legendary among students.
Don't try to present yourself as perfectly balanced. Swarthmore admits students who dive deep into their interests, whether that's organizing climate protests, conducting original research, or mastering obscure musical instruments. Show your intensity and conviction rather than trying to check every possible box.
What It Costs If You Get In
- Average Net Price
- $18,686/yr
- Tuition (in-state)
- $62,412
- Students Receiving Aid
- 20%
After You Graduate
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 94.1%
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $80,257/yr
- Freshman Retention Rate
- 97.2%
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Swarthmore College require SAT or ACT scores for admission?
Swarthmore has a test-optional admissions policy. Students can choose whether to submit standardized test scores as part of their application.
Does Swarthmore College offer Early Decision or Early Action?
Swarthmore offers Early Decision I (deadline November 15) and Early Decision II (deadline January 1). Both are binding commitments.
Can transfer students apply to Swarthmore College?
Yes, Swarthmore accepts transfer applications for fall semester entry. Transfer students must complete at least two years of coursework at Swarthmore to earn a degree.
What is the application deadline for Swarthmore College?
Regular Decision applications are due January 1. Early Decision I is due November 15, and Early Decision II is due January 1.