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Allegheny College vs Swarthmore College

Allegheny College is a private college in Meadville, PA, and Swarthmore College is a private college in Swarthmore, PA. Swarthmore College is the more selective of the two, admitting about 7% of applicants against 55% at Allegheny College. Allegheny College is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $22,940 a year against $23,149 at Swarthmore College. About 93% of students graduate at Swarthmore College, compared with 70% at Allegheny College. Ten years after enrolling, Swarthmore College alumni earn a median of about $80,257, against $62,069 for Allegheny College.

Allegheny College

Meadville, PA · Private

Swarthmore College

Swarthmore, PA · Private
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
Meadville, PA
Swarthmore, PA
Setting
Suburban
Suburban
Undergraduates
1,156
1,613
Acceptance rate
55%
7%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.51–4
3.54–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1173–1358
1490–1560
ACT (middle 50%)
25–30
33–35
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$22,940
$23,149
Full cost / yr
$71,348
$84,103
In-state tuition
$56,550
$65,494
Out-of-state tuition
$56,550
$65,494
Application fee
$0
$60
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$18,495
$7,690
$30k - $48k
$27,718
$4,951
$48k - $75k
$13,059
$11,444
$75k - $110k
$21,357
$22,443
Over $110k
$30,046
$47,544
Outcomes
Graduation rate
70%
93%
Freshman retention
78%
94%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$45,603
$56,211
Median earnings (10 yr)
$62,069
$80,257
Median debt at graduation
$27,000
$17,500
Student body
Pell grant recipients
28%
19%
First-generation students
22%
27%
International students
6%
13%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 1
Nov 15
Early action
Dec 1
Not reported
Regular decision
Feb 15
Jan 4

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is Allegheny College or Swarthmore College harder to get into?
Swarthmore College is harder to get into. It admits about 7% of applicants, compared with 55% at Allegheny College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Allegheny College or Swarthmore College?
Allegheny College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $22,940 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $23,149 at Swarthmore College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at Allegheny College and Swarthmore College?
Before aid, Allegheny College costs about $71,348 a year and Swarthmore College about $84,103. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Allegheny College or Swarthmore College?
Swarthmore College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $7,690 there, against about $18,495 at Allegheny College. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Allegheny College or Swarthmore College?
Swarthmore College is the larger of the two, with about 1,613 undergraduates against 1,156 at Allegheny College.
Does Allegheny College or Swarthmore College have a better graduation rate?
Swarthmore College has the higher graduation rate, at about 93% against 70% at Allegheny College.
Do graduates of Allegheny College or Swarthmore College earn more?
Swarthmore College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $80,257 ten years after enrolling, against about $62,069 for Allegheny College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Allegheny College and Swarthmore College require SAT or ACT scores?
Allegheny College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Swarthmore College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do Allegheny College and Swarthmore College look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1173–1358 at Allegheny College and 1490–1560 at Swarthmore College. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

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