Alvernia University vs Swarthmore College
Alvernia University is a private university in Reading, 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 58% at Alvernia University. Swarthmore College is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $23,149 a year against $28,138 at Alvernia University. About 93% of students graduate at Swarthmore College, compared with 57% at Alvernia University. Ten years after enrolling, Swarthmore College alumni earn a median of about $80,257, against $55,055 for Alvernia University.
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.
- Is Alvernia University or Swarthmore College harder to get into?
- Swarthmore College is harder to get into. It admits about 7% of applicants, compared with 58% at Alvernia University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, Alvernia University or Swarthmore College?
- Swarthmore College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $23,149 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $28,138 at Alvernia University. 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 Alvernia University and Swarthmore College?
- Before aid, Alvernia University costs about $57,565 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, Alvernia University or Swarthmore College?
- Swarthmore College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $7,690 there, against about $23,436 at Alvernia University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Alvernia University or Swarthmore College?
- Alvernia University is the larger of the two, with about 2,152 undergraduates against 1,613 at Swarthmore College.
- Does Alvernia University or Swarthmore College have a better graduation rate?
- Swarthmore College has the higher graduation rate, at about 93% against 57% at Alvernia University.
- Do graduates of Alvernia University or Swarthmore College earn more?
- Swarthmore College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $80,257 ten years after enrolling, against about $55,055 for Alvernia University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Alvernia University and Swarthmore College require SAT or ACT scores?
- Alvernia University 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 Alvernia University and Swarthmore College look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1093–1286 at Alvernia University and 1490–1560 at Swarthmore College. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
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