At schools with acceptance rates below 10%, nearly every applicant has near-perfect grades and test scores. Admissions decisions are driven by essays, extracurriculars, recommendations, and institutional priorities — factors no stats-based model can predict. Our likelihood labels reflect academic competitiveness only.
Swarthmore College is a highly selective liberal arts college near Philadelphia known for its rigorous academics, including an unusual honors program modeled on the Oxford seminar system. Its beautiful arboretum campus and commitment to intellectual depth attract students who thrive in a challenging, discussion-based learning environment.
Mascot: Garnet
Notable Alumni
Sally Ride (first American woman in space)•Alice Paul (women's suffrage leader)•Jonathan Franzen (acclaimed novelist)
At a Glance
Cost
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
Safety
Swarthmore's Public Safety operates 24/7 with campus shuttles, walking escorts, and building patrols on a compact campus. Most incidents are alcohol-related disciplinary referrals.
Swarthmore borough is ranked among the best places to live in Delaware County, with a crime rate 79% below the national average. Extremely low violent crime.
Based on Clery Act data, student surveys, and local crime statistics.
Location
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