Placement Metric
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Swarthmore College
7.8(1)
VerifiedPrivate (Not for Profit)Estd. 1864
Founded
1864
Type
Private (Not for Profit)
University Guide
About Swarthmore College
Explore overview, courses, fees, admissions, campus life, scholarships and student accommodation guidance in one premium Admistay guide.
Ranked among the top 5 National Liberal Arts Colleges of US, Swarthmore College welcomes students from all around the world. Swarthmore College is among the 50 most innovative schools of the US. Furthermore, the College is one of the 3 members of the Tri-College Consortium, which also includes Bryn Mawr College and Haverford College. Among the total student body of 1,600+ students at Swarthmore, almost 13% are international students. Programs at Swarthmore College are offered in more than 600 different study areas.
Admissions at Swarthmore College take place in the Fall and Winter semesters every year. It is a highly selective institute, with an acceptance rate of only 9%. The average cost of attendance at Swarthmore College is estimated to be about 70,744 USD. Almost 56% of the students at Swarthmore College receive need-based aid from the college, with the range of financial aid awards being 1,000 - 55,074 USD.
Swarthmore College is known for its top-level placements, and the highest salary observed at the college has been 175,000 USD. Around 19% of Swarthmore students go for graduate studies within 5 years of graduation and 22.5% of graduates complete a doctoral degree which is 3rd highest in the United States.
Also check Student Reviews of Swarthmore College
Swarthmore College Rankings
As per the U.S. News & World Report, Swarthmore College has attained the following positions:
- #2 in Best Value Schools
- #3 in National Liberal Arts Colleges
- #4 in Best Undergraduate Teaching
- #42 in Most Innovative Schools
- #135 in Top Performers on Social Mobility
- #35 in Undergraduate Research/Creative Projects
- #54 in First-Year Experiences
Moreover, Swarthmore College has been ranked #29 in the US College Rankings by Times Higher Education
Swarthmore College Highlights
| University Type | Private |
| Campus Setting | Suburban |
| Campus Size | 425-acres |
| Academic Calendar | Semester-based |
| Acceptance Rate | 9% |
| Programs Offered | 600 |
| Total Enrollment | 1,600+ |
| International Students | 13% |
| Full-time Faculty | 198 |
| Student to Faculty Ratio | 8:1 |
| Financial Aid | Available |
| Admission HelpDesk | [email protected] |
Swarthmore College Campus
Swarthmore College has a vast campus located along the north-south axis, in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. The campus is equipped with a wide range of resources for students including student-led clubs, leadership opportunities, on-campus residence, dining facilities, 7 libraries, and a post office facility.
- There are more than 100 student clubs and organizations within the campus. These include anime club, archery club, drama board, racing club etc.
- The Art Studios consist of The Beardsley Hall and The Old Tarble, which provides a dedicated studio space to students. The Old Tarble is also the site of Art Department classrooms and studios, such as the printmaking studio and a photography studio.
- The 3 theatre studios at the campus enhance the learning experience of the students enrolled in the theatre program. Additionally, the Boyer Dance Studio and the Troy Dance Lab provide high-quality space for rehearsals of students.
- The artworks of students at Swarthmore College are regularly exhibited at the “List Gallery” and the “Kitao Student Art Gallery”.
- The Underhill Music & Dance Library at the Swarthmore campus contains approximately 40,000 items that include books, scores, journals, sound recordings, and video recordings.
Swarthmore College Accommodation
Swarthmore College offers affordable accommodation options to students on-campus. It has a total of 17 residence halls that vary in size from a cozy eight-person house to a lively 200-person dorm. The students may choose from double sharing, triple sharing to single room options.
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- At Swarthmore College, around 95% of the students reside on-campus.
- Dining facilities are available for all the residents through the 4 dining halls operated by Swarthmore College.
- These are some of the major residence halls at the Swarthmore College:
- Alice Paul Hall: Accommodates around 75 students of all classes in single, double, and triple occupancy rooms.
- Dana Hall: Accommodates around 92 first-year and sophomores in double-occupancy rooms. The single rooms are generally offered to junior and senior students. The 3rd floor of Dana hall houses only female students.
- The Lodges: There are 4 lodges situated between Worth Residence Hall and Bond Memorial Hall. The lodges occupy 20 upper-class students. The first floor has triple and the 2nd floor has double occupancy rooms. Each building accommodates 5 students.
- PPR Apartments: It is a newly built suite-style apartment that consists of 3 cubic-shaped buildings. It accommodates a total of 125 students. Most of the apartments accommodate 5 to 6 junior or senior students. Each suite is equipped with a common living room, bathroom, and individual room.
Also check Off-campus housing in US
(Accommodation rates not available, that is why I used bullet points and included the above information only)
Swarthmore College Programs
Swarthmore College offers more than 600 courses across different study areas like science, mathematics, statistics, political studies, astronomy, dance and film & media studies.
- Swarthmore College offers undergraduate programs in more than 40 streams. Furthermore, the students are given the liberty to design their own major, according to what interests them most.
- The College's Honors Program is designed uniquely and emphasizes independent learning in small seminar classes. At the end of the programs, students have to give oral and written tests assigned by external examiners who are experts in their field.
- Swarthmore College offers an Engineering program with specializations in civil, computer, electrical, mechanical along with some additional coursework in biology, chemistry, and computer science.
- More than 300 study abroad programs are offered across 60 countries all over the world. The program lasts either a single semester or a complete academic year. Around 40% of the students participate in study abroad programs.
- Swarthmore College’s externship program is a hands-on, real-time program that provides the students opportunity to work and learn from the Swarthmore alumni that are successfully employed in different professional fields.
- Every year, 200 students with more than 300 alumni sponsors coordinate to gain valuable insights regarding the professional work culture.
- The Exchange programs offered by Swarthmore College provide the opportunity for students from other institutions (such as the Ashesi University College in Ghana, the University of Tokyo, Yale-National University of Singapore) to study at Swarthmore.
Swarthmore College Admission Process
International students must be well informed regarding the application process and requirements, and must apply by the prescribed deadline only. The students may apply for admission using any one of 3 application portals from the official website of Swarthmore college:
Application Portal: Apply via Common Application, Coalition Application, or QuestBridge Application
Application Fee: 60 USD
Application Deadlines:
| Application Type | Deadlines |
|---|---|
| Fall Early Decision | November 15 |
| Winter Early Decision | January 4 |
| Regular Decision | January 4 |
| Transfer Decision | April 1 |
General Admissions Requirements:
- Completed online application
- Students applying through Common or Coalition Application are required to submit 250 words short answers
- The Applicants applying via QuestBridge Portal should submit a QuestBridge Conversion Form
- SAT/ACT scores(optional)
- High School Reports
- English Proficiency Test Scores
- Letter of recommendation
- A Sample of work in art, creative writing, dance, or music(optional)
- Interview (optional)
Swarthmore College Cost of Attendance
International students willing to study at Swarthmore College are advised to plan their finances in advance, including the cost of living in the US. The estimated cost of attendance for Swarthmore College is given below:
| Expenses | Cost (in USD) |
|---|---|
| Tuition | 55,856 USD |
| Room | 8,796 USD |
| Board | 8,354 USD |
| Student Activity Fee | 200 USD |
| Total | 73,206 USD |
Swarthmore College Scholarships
Swarthmore College provides financial assistance to students in the form of scholarships, loans and grants. A total of 56,048 USD was awarded as scholarships and on-campus jobs to 56% of the students in the academic year. Important details regarding the scholarships are mentioned below:
- International students are required to submit a CSS profile while applying for admission at Swarthmore College.
- The prospective student will be asked to submit a signed ISFAA application before getting admitted into the College.
- Documents required for financial aid include:
- CSS profile
- International Student Financial Aid Application
- Attested 3rd party income
- Financial Aid Deadlines for Prospective Applicants:
- QuestBridge National College Match: November 1
- Fall Early Decision: November 15
- Winter Early Decision: January 4
- Regular Decision: January 4
Also check External scholarships to study in the US
Swarthmore College Alumni
Swarthmore College has produced numerous successful students over its rich history.
The Swarthmore Alumni Online Community offers several facilities to the alumni and helps them to remain connected with college even after completion of their course.
These are some of the benefits offered to the alumni:
- Career Counselling
- Access to job postings on the handshake portal
- Access to the library with a borrowing facility
- Fellowships, internship opportunities and scholarships for higher studies
Notable alumni:
- Elizabeth Anderson - Philosopher
- Michael Dukakis - Former Governor, Massachusetts
- Justin Hall - Journalist and Entrepreneur
- Christian B. Anfinsen - Biochemist and Nobel Prize holder in Chemistry
- Jonathan Franzen - Novelist
Swarthmore College Placements
Swarthmore College provides a variety of resources for the career development of students. The on-campus recruitment every year includes interviews, information sessions, career fairs, and events. The students can register for on-campus recruitment through the Handshake portal.
- The top Companies where Swarthmore Graduates are recruited include Google, Deloitte, The Boston Consulting Group, Amazon, J.P Morgan, and McKinsey.
- About 74% of graduates enter the workforce upon their graduation.
- Swarthmore graduates have an average base salary of 78,000 USD as per payscale.
Top Paid Jobs offered to Swarthmore College Graduates
| Job/Position | Average Salary(in USD) |
|---|---|
| Chief Operating Officer | 175,000 |
| Software Engineer | 99,980 |
| Director of Operations | 95,000 |
| Program Director | 66,000 |
| Research Associate | 52,500 |
| Account Manager | 52,402 |
| Marketing Director | 45,369 |
Check Employment opportunities in the US
Swarthmore College has been consistently providing the students with the best learning experience. The diversity of the programs, and the state-of-the-asrt facilities at the campus are the additional advantages at Swarthmore College. It works for the holistic development of the students and therefore, is one of the top universities in the US.
FAQs
Que. Is Swarthmore College worth taking admission into?
Ans. Swarthmore College is worth taking admission into, as it is one of the top-ranked private liberal arts Colleges in the United States. It is one of the top-50 colleges, one of the top-5 national liberal arts colleges, and top-5 colleges for undergraduate teaching in the United States.
Que. What are the programs offered at Swarthmore College?
Ans. The Swarthmore College offers more than 40 undergraduate programs with more than 600 undergraduate majors to choose from.
Que. What is the acceptance rate at Swarthmore College?
Ans. Swarthmore College is a highly selective institute, having an acceptance rate of 9%.
Que. What is the admission process for international students at Swarthmore College?
Ans. International students are required to submit their high school transcripts along with English proficiency proof, SAT/ACT scores, sample work, and recommendation letters. International students may apply for admission via Common application, coalition application, or via QuestBridge application.
Que. Does Swarthmore College offer financial aid?
Ans. Swarthmore College offers financial aid to 56% of the students in the form of scholarships, on-campus jobs, and grants.
Que. Is an accommodation facility available at Swarthmore College?
Ans. Swarthmore College offers accommodations in 18 residence halls which accommodates 95% of the students.
Que. What is the average tuition fee at Swarthmore College?
Ans. The college has an average tuition of 55,856 USD per year.
Courses & Fees
Compare courses in a cleaner, easier way
Explore tuition, duration, language, eligibility, and exam requirements without the clutter.
Courses
38
Fee from
₹58,04,310.96
Exams
IELTS
Showing 5 of 38 bachelors
Overview
Degree TypeBachelor
Duration4 years
Study ModeFull Time
LanguageEnglish
Fees
Tuition FeeINR 58 L/Yr
Native FeeUSD 61,992 /Yr
Fee trendTuition progression
Admission Guide
Admission Process
Swarthmore College is a private co-educational non-sectarian institute that offers more than 600 courses every year. During the session, the college registered 1,667 total enrolments with 13% of international students. The admission process of Swarthmore is very selective and that is why Swarthmore’s acceptance rate has been varying from 9 to 11 % over the past few years. Swarthmore college accepted 1,022 applications, an acceptance rate of 9% in Fall.
Swarthmore accepts the online application and the application is reviewed by half a dozen committees. A highly selective application evaluation process is held for programs offered by Swarthmore College. Due to the global pandemic COVID-19 this year the college will run its classes remotely.
- Swarthmore accepts application online and there are three platforms one can apply through- The Coalition Application, Common Application Portal, and QuestBridge Application
- The Swarthmore College admission review process does not follow a formula for the selection of the applicants, and the application is reviewed six times by different committees.
- Currently, the college is remotely running classes through live presentations and recorded class meetings.
- For the Fall session, the pre-registration will be held between April 27-29.
- Applicants contacted their admission advisors for all admission related details.
- Each applicant is provided a student dean and they are available via email or video conference for consultation and admission support.
- The International Student Center is working to issue I-20s for 2024 classes for international applicants.
Highlights
| Application Portal | Online- Common Application Portal, Coalition Application, and QuestBridge Application |
| Application Fees | 60 USD |
| Acceptance rate | 9% |
| Average SAT score | 1380-1550 |
| Average ACT score | 31-34 |
| Mode of Payment | Online |
| Academic calendar | Semester-based |
| Intake Sessions | Fall, Summer, and Spring |
| Work Experience | Required for different Graduate programs |
| Financial Aid | Scholarships, Grants, Work-Study, Loans, etc. |
Swarthmore College Acceptance Rate
Admission at Swarthmore is highly selective and competitive, with an acceptance rate of only 9.4%. The application of each applicant is reviewed by half a dozen committees. They consider the full context of the applicant's background, experiences, and opportunities.
A total of 10,749 applicants have applied for admission, out of which only 1,016 students were admitted and only 422 students were enrolled. The College's overall graduation rate is quite high. 94% of students who began their studies in fall 2013 completed their graduation.
Swarthmore College Admission Deadlines
Swarthmore College has recently updated its academic schedules because of the global pandemic COVID 19. The updated schedule is available on the official website of the college. The Fall session is expected to commence in mid to late June. The application for the same was accepted during November and January. The application deadlines and requirements are the same for domestic applicants and international students willing to study in the US.
Early Decision
Fall: November 15
Winter: January 01
Regular Decision: January 01
Swarthmore College International Admissions
The application process, deadlines, and requirements for international applicants are the same as for the domestic applicants. Swarthmore has suspended the requirement of standardized test scores (ACT/SAT) for the sessions. However, it does accept the English Proficiency test scores from international applicants if the majority (more than 4 years) of their education has been taught in a non- English curriculum. The application is accepted online and the International Student Center provides all sorts of assistance to the international applicants. The admission assistance communicates with the applicants via email provided in the application.
The application requirements are the same for international and domestic applicants except for some additional requirements.
Application Portal: The Coalition Application, Common Application Portal, and QuestBridge Application
Application Fees: 60 USD
Admission requirements:
- Official academic transcripts
- School report
- Swarthmore College Short Answer- required to submit no more than 250 words in response to a short answer question. For the admissions cycle, the prompt asked: "Please write about why you are interested in applying to and attending Swarthmore."
- School counselor recommendation/ Letter of recommendation written on official school letterhead
- Original High School transcript, certified and signed by the head of school
- Essay and/or SOP for US
- SAT or ACT scores have been waived off for students applying to Swarthmore in the academic cycles. Instead, these are made optional.
- TOEFL/IELTS scores for students having studied in a non-English medium for more than 4 years.
- All applicants, including international students, can request an admissions interview, but interviews are not compulsory and those who do not attend one are not at a disadvantage.
English Proficiency Test Score
The English proficiency test score is mandatory for non-English speaking students. Swathmore accepts TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo Test but the college does not specify the minimum score limit.
Visa Process for International Students
International applicants on acceptance must apply to the school for I-20 form or DS-2019. The college will issue the form, candidates must fill the form and apply for the interview; pay the SEVIS and visa application fees. Applicants will then visit the local US Embassy for an interview along with the following mandatory documents and fees receipt. Generally, they issue an F-1 visa (as we call it, a student visa to study in the US) 120 days before the reporting date, and students can enter U.S. 30 days before the reporting date.
- Copy of passport
- Acceptance letter
- I-20 form
- Documents of financial support
- SEVIS fees receipt
Swarthmore College Undergraduate Admission
Undergraduate applicants can apply online through any one of the three application portals. The application fees are the same for all domestic applicants. For the session, the college has suspended the submission of standardized test scores to study in US and made it optional. It is optional to provide the SAT or ACT score. Admission is granted based on the candidate’s overall performance, experience, and qualification. The admission assistance communicates the application related update to the applicants through email.
Where to Apply: The Coalition Application, Common Application Portal, and QuestBridge Application
Admission Requirements:
All the applicant must submit the following documents along with the application:
- Official academic transcripts
- The Swarthmore short answer, in not more than 250 words. For the admissions cycle, the prompt asked: "Please write about why you are interested in applying to and attending Swarthmore."
- School report
- High school transcript
- Letters of recommendation to study in US
- School counselor recommendation
- SAT/ACT scores (though these scores are optional for the next two academic years, The 25th and 75th percentile for recent years have been as given)
Optional Requirements:
- For admission cycles, the college has suspended the requirement of SAT/ACT scores. Submission of these test scores is optional.
- College offers optional Interviews
- Students pursuing arts having strong background can share their talent/work samples via Slide room, for eg: creative writing, performance and choreography performance and composition, theatre, etc
The application is reviewed by a dozen of admission committees. They check the overall performance, experience, qualifications, and opportunities the applicants have. Swarthmore College reserves the right to verify an applicant from all the sources and make a final decision, even if all parts of the application have not been received. The admission staff members communicate with the applicants about their application and admission decision through the mail.
FAQs
Ques. Does Swarthmore College provide Financial aid to international students?
Ans. Yes, the college offers scholarships to international students, and candidates must apply for scholarships along with their CSS profile, income information, and ISFAA.
Ques. Are the application credentials and documents submitted to Swarthmore College treated with confidentiality?
Ans. Yes, Swarthmore College adopts an ‘Admission Privacy Policy’. Admission officials communicate directly with the applicants via email about their application materials and admission decision.
Ques. Does the college provide an on-campus residence facility?
Ans. Yes, Swarthmore provides on-campus residence for its students. Even 95 percent of the students live on-campus. There are 17 residence halls with a capacity of eight-persons to 200-person.
Ques. Where can I read about Financial Aid and other general information?
Ans. All the information is provided clearly on the official website of the college in the Financial Aid Handbook. Check this out for all information: here
Ques. Is SAT/ACT exam scores required for admission in Swarthmore College?
Ans. For admission intakes, the college has made the SAT/ACT scores as an optional requirement.
Ques. Is Interview required for admission in Swarthmore College?
Ans. No, but Applicants can request an interview if they want.
Ques. How hard is it to get in Swarthmore College?
Ans. It’s very difficult to get an admission in Swarthmore College. It is one of the highly competitive colleges in U.S. with an acceptance rate of only 9.4%. A very good academic and overall performance of an applicant is required.
Ques. What is the average SAT/ACT score required by Swarthmore?
Ans. Although for admission SAT/ACT test scores are optional, you can still submit it. SAT score between 1380 and 1540 is required. For ACT a composite score of 30-35 marks is considered by Swarthmore College. SAT subject test scores are not required since it will not be reviewed by the college.
Ques. What are the English proficiency requirements for Swarthmore College?
Ans. Students can submit their TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test scores for English proficiency proof.
Ques. What is the tuition fee for Undergraduate courses at Swarthmore College?
Ans. Tuition fee for undergraduate courses is around $54,656.
Ques. Is there any application fee?
Ans. Yes, $60 is the non-refundable application fee.
Ques. When does Swarthmore College accept applications for admission?
Ans. Swarthmore College accepts applications for fall and winter sessions. Applicants need to apply prior to their respective deadlines.
Ques. What is the average AMCAS GPA needed for admission to Medical school at Swarthmore?[3]
Ans. An average AMCAS GPA of 3.70 is considered at Swarthmore College.
Placements & Recruiters
Swarthmore College Placement Details
Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, United States placement details include salary insights, top recruiters, and hiring trends to help students understand career outcomes and campus opportunities.
Students usually compare highest package, average package, and recruiter profile before applying. This section gives a compact overview of career outcomes and placement visibility in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, United States.
Recruiters
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Salary Metrics
0/2
Placement Metric
Average Package
N/A
Shows the typical package range students may expect based on the available average salary data.
Placement information is currently limited.
More salary or recruiter data may be updated later for this college.
Rankings over the years
Year-wise highlights from global and country rankings available for this university.
2021
Highlights
2021
2021
- Best overall country rank: #43
- Overall: #43 in country
- Top source: ARWU
- 1 ranked streams
- Focus areas: Overall
- 2 ranking records in 2021
2022
Highlights
2022
2022
- Best overall country rank: #46
- Overall: #46 in country
- Top source: ARWU
- 1 ranked streams
- Focus areas: Overall
- 2 ranking records in 2022
2023
Highlights
2023
2023
- Best overall country rank: #75
- Overall: #75 in country
- Top source: QS
- 1 ranked streams
- Focus areas: Overall
- 1 ranking record in 2023
2024
Highlights
2024
2024
- Best overall country rank: #103
- Overall: #103 in country
- Top source: QS
- 1 ranked streams
- Focus areas: Overall
- 1 ranking record in 2024
2025
Highlights
2025
2025
- Best overall country rank: #96
- Overall: #96 in country
- Top source: QS
- 1 ranked streams
- Focus areas: Overall
- 2 ranking records in 2025
Contact Information
Student Reviews & Ratings
Overall sentiment and category-wise rating summary
Overall score
7.8/10
Top Rated
Based on 1 rating
Rating Breakdown
Visual summary of rating distribution and categories
Live Summary
Academic
10.0/10
Faculty
10.0/10
Infrastructure
9.0/10
Accommodation
9.0/10
Placement
9.0/10