Dickinson College vs Swarthmore College
Dickinson College is a private college in Carlisle, 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 42% at Dickinson College. Swarthmore College is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $23,149 a year against $37,607 at Dickinson College. About 93% of students graduate at Swarthmore College, compared with 82% at Dickinson College. Ten years after enrolling, Swarthmore College alumni earn a median of about $80,257, against $70,204 for Dickinson College.
See which of these two fits you, and what each would actually cost you.
Start the free quizNet 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 Dickinson College or Swarthmore College harder to get into?
- Swarthmore College is harder to get into. It admits about 7% of applicants, compared with 42% at Dickinson 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, Dickinson College or Swarthmore College?
- Swarthmore College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $23,149 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $37,607 at Dickinson 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 Dickinson College and Swarthmore College?
- Before aid, Dickinson College costs about $82,902 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, Dickinson College or Swarthmore College?
- Swarthmore College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $7,690 there, against about $40,755 at Dickinson College. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Dickinson College or Swarthmore College?
- Dickinson College is the larger of the two, with about 2,273 undergraduates against 1,613 at Swarthmore College.
- Does Dickinson College or Swarthmore College have a better graduation rate?
- Swarthmore College has the higher graduation rate, at about 93% against 82% at Dickinson College.
- Do graduates of Dickinson 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 $70,204 for Dickinson College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Dickinson College and Swarthmore College require SAT or ACT scores?
- Dickinson 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 Dickinson College and Swarthmore College look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1310–1460 at Dickinson College and 1490–1560 at Swarthmore College. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
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