CAMPUS · SWARTHMORE, PA · PRIVATE

Swarthmore College

6.9%

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

Swarthmore College Housing & Dorms: Cost Breakdown

$18,964

Room & Board (Annual)

$9,578

Room Only

$9,386

Meal Plan

1,574

On-Campus Beds

4-Year Housing Cost

Based on current room & board rates

$75,856

Housing Guarantee at Swarthmore College

Freshmen typically guaranteed; upperclassmen via lottery. Swarthmore College houses about 92% of undergrads on campus. Most schools at this capacity guarantee freshmen housing and offer 2nd/3rd-year housing through lottery or theme-based applications.

Off-Campus Rent Near Swarthmore College (ZIP 19081)

Median gross rent figures below are from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2023) for the ZIP code where Swarthmore College's campus sits (19081).

$1,452/mo

Median Gross Rent

$908/mo

1-Bedroom

$1,666/mo

2-Bedroom

$1,610/mo

3-Bedroom

Rent trend: Median rent in this area rose 3.4% between the ACS 2022 and ACS 2023 5-year estimates ($1,404 → $1,452 median).

Swarthmore College Housing Cost: On-Campus vs Off-Campus

The right call depends on whether you're comparing a 9-month academic year (matching the on-campus dorm contract) or a full 12-month lease, and how many roommates you split with.

Setup	Per Month	9-Month Year	vs On-Campus
On-campus dorm (room + meal plan)	$2107	$18,964	—
Off-campus 1-bedroom (solo)	$908	$8,172	−$10,792
Off-campus 2-bedroom (1 roommate)	$833	$7497	−$11467
Off-campus 3-bedroom (2 roommates)	$537	$4830	−$14134

On-campus figure is room and board (includes meals). Off-campus figures are rent only — add roughly $200-400/mo for groceries, $80-180/mo for utilities (electric/gas/water), $30-80/mo for internet, and transit or parking depending on commute distance. Renter's insurance runs $10-25/mo.

4-Year Housing Cost Comparison at Swarthmore College

$75,856

On-campus, 4 years

$32,688

Off-campus 1-bd solo, 4 years

$29988

Off-campus 2-bd shared, 4 years

Over four years, a solo 1-bedroom in ZIP 19081 costs about $43,168 less than on-campus dorms — even before factoring in roommates. Swarthmore College's on-campus housing is on the expensive end relative to local rent.

Off-Campus Housing Tips for Swarthmore College Students

Start the search 4-6 months before move-in

College towns turn over inventory in February-April for fall leases. Inventory thins quickly in May-June. Most leases are 12 months and require first month + last month + security deposit upfront — budget $4,000-$10,000 for the move-in lump-sum depending on rent.

Check sublet boards before signing direct in Swarthmore

Subleases from departing students often run 10-30% below market because the original tenant is locked into a lease. Search Facebook groups specific to Swarthmore College, university-affiliated housing forums, and Reddit's school-specific subreddit. Summer subleases are especially cheap — many tenants leave for internships and want to recover any rent.

Verify the building before paying any deposit

Run the address through your county recorder to confirm the listing party owns or formally manages the unit. Scammers post fake listings of real properties and ask for wire transfers or gift cards as deposits. Legitimate landlords will let you tour in person before any payment.

Stack the hidden costs before signing

Beyond rent: utilities ($80-180/mo for electric/gas/water), internet ($30-80/mo), renter's insurance ($10-25/mo), application fees ($50-100), broker fees in some markets (1 month rent), and a guarantor or co-signer if you don't have rental history. Add it all up before deciding off-campus is "cheaper."

Swarthmore College Campus & Location

Swarthmore College is located in Swarthmore, PA — classified as Suburb: Large. The suburban location offers a quieter environment while still being close to urban amenities.

Sources: Room and board figures from IPEDS 2023 Institutional Characteristics. Off-campus rent benchmarks from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates 2023, Table B25064 (Median Gross Rent) and Table B25031 (Median Gross Rent by Bedrooms) for ZCTA 19081.

Swarthmore College Housing & Dorm FAQs

How much do Swarthmore College dorms cost?

Room and board at Swarthmore College costs $18,964/yr. That breaks down as $9,578 for the room and $9,386 for the meal plan. Costs vary by room type (single/double/suite) and meal plan tier.

Are Swarthmore College freshmen required to live on campus?

Swarthmore College has on-campus housing capacity for 1,574 students. Most US colleges strongly encourage on-campus housing for freshmen — check the residential life policy for current requirements.

What's included in the Swarthmore College meal plan?

Swarthmore College's standard meal plan includes 99 meals per week in dining halls, plus dining dollars or flex points for retail food vendors. Pricing scales with meal count; lower plans are typically available for upperclassmen.

How much does it cost to rent near Swarthmore College?

Median rent near Swarthmore College (ZIP 19081) is $1,452/month overall. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $908/mo and a 2-bedroom for $1,666/mo (Census ACS 5-year 2023 estimates). Rents are up 3.4% from the prior ACS estimate.

Is it cheaper to live off campus at Swarthmore College?

Off-campus typically saves money at Swarthmore College — even after groceries (~$3,000/yr) and utilities (~$1,500/yr), it usually beats the $18,964/yr dorm cost. A solo 1-bedroom for the 9-month academic year totals about $8,172, versus the on-campus room and board of $18,964/yr. Splitting a 2-bedroom with a roommate is almost always the cheapest option.

Where do Swarthmore College students typically live off campus?

Most Swarthmore College students who live off campus stay within 1-2 miles of the Swarthmore campus to keep walking or biking distance to classes. Sublet boards from departing students often run 10-30% below market — search university Facebook groups and local subleasing pages a few months before the semester starts. Cities with stronger transit (large metros) make it practical to live further out for cheaper rent.

When should I start looking for off-campus housing near Swarthmore College?

For a fall move-in, start the search 4-6 months ahead — most leases turn over February through April. Inventory thins quickly in May-June. If you missed the main season, check sublet listings (many tenants leave for summer internships and offer steep discounts) and look at older buildings, which tend to lease later in the cycle.

What should I budget on top of rent at Swarthmore College?

Beyond base rent, plan for utilities ($80-180/mo for electric/gas/water), internet ($30-80/mo), renter's insurance ($10-25/mo), groceries ($200-400/mo if you cook), and transit/parking. Application fees ($50-100), security deposits (1-2 months' rent), and broker fees (some markets) hit at lease signing. First-time renters without rental history may need a guarantor.