CAMPUS · SWARTHMORE, PA · PRIVATE

Swarthmore College

6.9%

01Acceptance 02Tuition 03Transfer 04ROI 05AP Credit 06Majors 07Housing 08International

FIT

REACH

Swarthmore College is a reach for most applicants.

Score reflects acceptance odds × cost × outcome quality.

ACCEPTANCE

6.9%

of 14,287 applicants

SALARY · 10-YR

$80,257

across all majors

Swarthmore College at a Glance

1,713

Total Enrollment

$17,500

Median Debt

20.0%

Pell Grant Rate

Average SAT & ACT Scores for Swarthmore College

Test	25th Percentile	75th Percentile	Midpoint
SAT Reading	720	770	745
SAT Math	740	790	765
SAT Total	1460	1560	1510
ACT Composite	33	34	33

Admissions Funnel

Applications Received	14,287
Students Admitted	992
Students Enrolled	415
Yield Rate	41.8%

Swarthmore College Rankings

Ranking	2025	Year
US News Liberal Arts Colleges	#3	2025

Swarthmore College Overview

Swarthmore College is a private university in Swarthmore, PA with 1,713 students. With a 6.9% acceptance rate, it ranks among the most selective institutions in the country. The most popular majors are Social Sciences, Computer Science, and Biological Sciences.

Full Name	Swarthmore College
Location	Swarthmore, PA 19081
Type	Private
Website	swarthmore.edu/
Total Enrollment	1,713
Undergrad Enrollment	1,713
Female Students	52.1%

Is Swarthmore College a Reach, Match, or Safety?

With an acceptance rate of 6.9%, Swarthmore College is a Reach for most applicants. You'll need a standout application — strong GPA, meaningful extracurriculars, and compelling essays — to have realistic odds here.

Your Profile	Swarthmore College Is...	What to Do
Above-average GPA + strong application	Match	Apply — worth the effort
Average GPA, some strengths	Reach	Apply, but have 2-3 backup schools
Below-average GPA	Hard Reach	Consider similar schools with higher acceptance rates

Popular Majors at Swarthmore College

The most popular fields of study, ranked by the number of degrees awarded.

Social Sciences

24.4%

Computer Science

13.0%

Biological Sciences

9.1%

Mathematics/Statistics

8.7%

Engineering

5.9%

Best Majors at Swarthmore College →

Student Demographics

White

31.6%

Black/African American

8.8%

Hispanic/Latino

14.2%

Asian

17.9%

International

14.0%

How to Get Into Swarthmore College

Swarthmore is a Reach school for nearly all applicants. Competitive applicants typically score 1510+ on the SAT. Beyond grades and scores, Swarthmore wants to see intellectual curiosity, leadership, and a clear sense of purpose in your application. Have 2-3 realistic backup schools — even perfect-on-paper students get denied here.

1510

Target SAT Score

Target ACT Score

6.9%

Acceptance Rate

14,287

Total Applicants

What Swarthmore College Values Most in Applicants

Admission factor importance from the Common Data Set — what the school officially says matters.

Factor	Importance
Academic Gpa	Very Important
Rigor Of Secondary School Record	Very Important
Class Rank	Very Important
Standardized Test Scores	Considered
Application Essay	Very Important
Recommendation	Very Important
Extracurricular Activities	Considered
Talent Ability	Considered
Character Personal Qualities	Very Important
First Generation	Considered
Alumni Relation	Considered
Interview	Considered
Work Experience	Considered
Volunteer Work	Considered

Swarthmore College Application Deadlines & Requirements

Key dates for the Swarthmore College ED I/II admission cycle. Mark these on your calendar — missing a deadline means waiting another year.

Deadline	Date
Early Decision	Nov 15
Early Decision II	Jan 4
Regular Decision	Jan 4

Early Decision: Swarthmore College offers binding Early Decision. If accepted, you must enroll and withdraw all other applications. Only apply ED if Swarthmore College is your clear first choice.

Frequently Asked Questions About Swarthmore College

What is Swarthmore's acceptance rate?

Swarthmore has an acceptance rate of 6.9%, making it extremely selective. This rate reflects freshman applicants for the most recent admissions cycle.

What SAT score do I need for Swarthmore?

The middle 50% SAT range at Swarthmore is 1460-1560. For the ACT, the middle 50% range is 33-34. Scoring above the 75th percentile puts you in a strong position, but scores alone don't determine admission.

What are the most popular majors at Swarthmore?

The most popular majors at Swarthmore by degrees awarded are: Social Sciences (24.4%), Computer Science (13.0%), Biological Sciences (9.1%), Mathematics/Statistics (8.7%), Engineering (5.9%). These percentages reflect undergraduate degrees conferred in the most recent reporting year.

Can I transfer to Swarthmore?

Swarthmore accepts transfer students, though the process is highly selective. Transfer applicants typically need a strong college GPA (3.5+), relevant coursework, and compelling reasons for transferring. The transfer acceptance rate is generally lower than freshman admission at selective schools.