Swarthmore College
Swarthmore College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Swarthmore College at a Glance
Swarthmore College is a private liberal arts college in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1864, with its first classes held in 1869, Swarthmore is one of the earliest coeducational colleges in the United States. It was established as a college under the Religious Society of Friends. By 1906, Swarthmore had dropped its religious affiliation and officially became non-sectarian.
1864
162 years old
$2.7B
$2.7 billion
1,631
207
8:1 student:faculty
78%
425 acres
Identity
How to Apply to Swarthmore College
Official admissions pageNovember 15 (Early Decision)
$60
Fee waiver available
Fee waiver
Is Swarthmore College Worth It?
Swarthmore College is one of the strongest value propositions in higher education. At $23,149/year net price and $80,257 median earnings, graduates earn 3.5× their annual cost within a decade of enrolling.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
With a 93% graduation rate, the vast majority of students finish their degree and reach these earning outcomes.
The catch: admission is extremely selective at just 7%, making this an option only for top-tier applicants.
Bottom line: Swarthmore College delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How Swarthmore College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #7 of 16 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Bowdoin College | 100 | $14,398 | $82,735 |
| #2 | Colby College | 100 | $17,180 | $80,490 |
| #3 | Williams College | 100 | $17,716 | $88,665 |
| #4 | Davidson College | 100 | $17,379 | $81,400 |
| #5 | Pomona College | 94 | $19,285 | $77,779 |
| #6 | Washington and Lee University | 94 | $23,781 | $94,810 |
| #7 | Swarthmore College | 81 | $23,149 | $80,257 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Swarthmore College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in PA.
Best Programs at Swarthmore College
The highest-earning program at Swarthmore College is Computer and Information Sciences, General at $86,700/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Biology, General at $36,800/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer and Information Sciences, General graduate from Swarthmore College earns $86,700, while a Biology, General graduate earns $36,800. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $23,149/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $86,700 | $86,700 | $22,000 |
| Economics | $74,500 | $74,500 | $21,500 |
| Political Science and Government | $37,600 | $37,600 | $18,750 |
| Biology, General | $36,800 | $36,800 | N/A |
Similar Colleges in PA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Swarthmore, PA
- Student Body
- 1,613 students
- Admission Rate
- 7%
- Graduation Rate
- 93%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $23,149
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $80,257
- Median Student Debt
- $17,500