Central Penn College vs Swarthmore College
Central Penn College is a private for-profit college in Summerdale, 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 18% at Central Penn College. Central Penn College is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $18,953 a year against $23,149 at Swarthmore College. About 93% of students graduate at Swarthmore College, compared with 43% at Central Penn College. Ten years after enrolling, Swarthmore College alumni earn a median of about $80,257, against $45,370 for Central Penn College.
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 Central Penn College or Swarthmore College harder to get into?
- Swarthmore College is harder to get into. It admits about 7% of applicants, compared with 18% at Central Penn 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, Central Penn College or Swarthmore College?
- Central Penn College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $18,953 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 Central Penn College and Swarthmore College?
- Before aid, Central Penn College costs about $27,116 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, Central Penn College or Swarthmore College?
- Swarthmore College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $7,690 there, against about $15,859 at Central Penn College. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Central Penn College or Swarthmore College?
- Swarthmore College is the larger of the two, with about 1,613 undergraduates against 662 at Central Penn College.
- Does Central Penn College or Swarthmore College have a better graduation rate?
- Swarthmore College has the higher graduation rate, at about 93% against 43% at Central Penn College.
- Do graduates of Central Penn 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 $45,370 for Central Penn College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Central Penn College and Swarthmore College require SAT or ACT scores?
- Central Penn College is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. Swarthmore College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do Central Penn College and Swarthmore College look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 660–910 at Central Penn College and 1490–1560 at Swarthmore College. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
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