Haverford College

Haverford College

(Haverford)

Haverford College is a small, highly selective liberal arts college near Philadelphia known for its student-run honor code and strong science programs. As part of the Tri-College Consortium with Bryn Mawr and Swarthmore, Haverford students enjoy access to a broader range of courses while maintaining an intimate, trust-based academic community.

Mascot: Ford

Notable Alumni

Dave Barry (Pulitzer-winning humor columnist)Josh Radnor (star of How I Met Your Mother)Daniel Dae Kim (star of Lost)

At a Glance

Acceptance Rate
13%
SAT (Optional)
1460–1530
Avg GPA
3.90
Enrollment
1.4K
Setting
Suburban
Founded
1833

Cost

Tuition$73K
Room & Board$21K
Est. Annual Total$94K

Published sticker prices for 2025-2026. Actual cost after aid varies.

Top Programs & National Ranking

Approximate national ranking based on departmental rankings, research output, and program reputation.

Highlights

Student-run honor code
Tri-College Consortium with Bryn Mawr and Swarthmore
Top sciences for a liberal arts college

Athletics

Division
NCAA Division 3
Conference
Centennial Conference
View on NCAA.com

Campus Experience

Social Life
Quiet
Academic Pressure
Intense
Greek Life
Minimal
Campus Beauty
Beautiful

Haverford's student-run Honor Code governs everything from unproctored exams to social conduct. There's no Greek life, and the social scene is quiet — weekend parties exist but the 1,400-student campus can feel small fast. The Bi-Co relationship with Bryn Mawr (one mile away) is essential for expanding your social and academic world, and the Quaker-rooted culture of consensus and mutual respect is palpable.

A 200-acre certified arboretum with over 400 species of trees, a serene duck pond, and handsome stone Gothic and Federal-style buildings creating a contemplative English-garden atmosphere on Philadelphia's Main Line.

Based on Niche reviews, Princeton Review surveys, student forums, and institutional data.

Safety

Campus SafetySafe

Low on-campus crime supported by the Honor Code culture. Campus Safety operates 24/7 with electronically secured dorms and regular patrols.

Neighborhood SafetyVery Safe

Haverford Township on Philadelphia's Main Line is one of the safest communities in Delaware County, with violent crime rates well below national averages.

Based on Clery Act data, student surveys, and local crime statistics.

Plan Your Visit

Guided Tour

Schedule: Weekdays during the academic year; seasonal schedule

Duration: ~60 minutes

Guided tours paired with information sessions. Group tours available for 8+ students. Contact admission@haverford.edu or 610-896-1350 for details.

Book a Tour
Self-Guided Tour

Interactive self-guided campus tour with multiple stops including Whitehead Campus Center, KINSC, Founders Hall, and the Duck Pond. The 216-acre arboretum campus is open dawn to dusk year-round (except Commencement Day).

Tour Resources
Insider Tips
Walk the entire 2.2-mile nature trail that traces the campus perimeter -- Haverford's campus IS the arboretum (216 acres, established 1834, oldest planned college landscape in America). It has 8 Pennsylvania State Champion trees and over 300 mature conifers in Ryan Pinetum.
Find the Penn Treaty Elm near Founders Hall -- descended from the American elm under which William Penn signed his treaty with Native Americans, planted in 1915. Most visitors walk right past it.
Visit the Denis Asian Garden and Teaf Memorial Zen-style Garden, hidden sanctuaries that feel transported from Kyoto. The 3.5-acre Duck Pond nearby is where students go to decompress.
Ask a student about the Honor Code and Plenary -- Haverford's student-run honor system is legendary in higher education, and attending a Plenary (campus-wide meeting where every student has a vote) is unlike anything at other colleges.
Best Time to Visit

Mid-September through November for peak arboretum beauty and active campus. Late March-April for spring blooms and Haverfest. The arboretum offers seasonal guided tours -- check the schedule. Avoid winter break and August when campus is quiet.

Getting There

Free visitor parking in the Visitors' Lot off Lancaster Avenue. Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is 25 minutes away. Haverford is on SEPTA's Paoli/Thorndale commuter rail line -- Haverford station is a short walk from campus. The R5 line runs frequently from 30th Street Station in Center City Philadelphia.

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