Franklin and Marshall College vs Swarthmore College
Franklin and Marshall College is a private college in Lancaster, 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 28% at Franklin and Marshall College. Swarthmore College is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $23,149 a year against $36,425 at Franklin and Marshall College. About 93% of students graduate at Swarthmore College, compared with 85% at Franklin and Marshall College. Ten years after enrolling, Swarthmore College alumni earn a median of about $80,257, against $76,124 for Franklin and Marshall College.
See which of these two fits you, and what each would actually cost you.
Start the free quiz
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 Franklin and Marshall College or Swarthmore College harder to get into?
- Swarthmore College is harder to get into. It admits about 7% of applicants, compared with 28% at Franklin and Marshall 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, Franklin and Marshall College or Swarthmore College?
- Swarthmore College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $23,149 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $36,425 at Franklin and Marshall 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 Franklin and Marshall College and Swarthmore College?
- Before aid, Swarthmore College costs about $84,103 a year and Franklin and Marshall College about $85,776. 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, Franklin and Marshall College or Swarthmore College?
- Swarthmore College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $7,690 there, against about $12,321 at Franklin and Marshall College. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Franklin and Marshall College or Swarthmore College?
- Franklin and Marshall College is the larger of the two, with about 1,799 undergraduates against 1,613 at Swarthmore College.
- Does Franklin and Marshall College or Swarthmore College have a better graduation rate?
- Swarthmore College has the higher graduation rate, at about 93% against 85% at Franklin and Marshall College.
- Do graduates of Franklin and Marshall 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 $76,124 for Franklin and Marshall College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Franklin and Marshall College and Swarthmore College require SAT or ACT scores?
- Franklin and Marshall 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 Franklin and Marshall College and Swarthmore College look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1310–1463 at Franklin and Marshall College and 1490–1560 at Swarthmore College. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
Which of these is the better fit for you?
These lists are a great start, but the one list that actually matters is yours. Blueprint builds it in two free steps.