Lafayette College vs Swarthmore College
Lafayette College is a private college in Easton, 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 31% at Lafayette College. Swarthmore College is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $23,149 a year against $34,433 at Lafayette College. About 93% of students graduate at Swarthmore College, compared with 88% at Lafayette College. Ten years after enrolling, Lafayette College alumni earn a median of about $91,410, against $80,257 for Swarthmore College.
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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 Lafayette College or Swarthmore College harder to get into?
- Swarthmore College is harder to get into. It admits about 7% of applicants, compared with 31% at Lafayette 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, Lafayette College or Swarthmore College?
- Swarthmore College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $23,149 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $34,433 at Lafayette 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 Lafayette College and Swarthmore College?
- Before aid, Lafayette College costs about $83,133 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, Lafayette College or Swarthmore College?
- Swarthmore College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $7,690 there, against about $12,716 at Lafayette College. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Lafayette College or Swarthmore College?
- Lafayette College is the larger of the two, with about 2,757 undergraduates against 1,613 at Swarthmore College.
- Does Lafayette College or Swarthmore College have a better graduation rate?
- Swarthmore College has the higher graduation rate, at about 93% against 88% at Lafayette College.
- Do graduates of Lafayette College or Swarthmore College earn more?
- Lafayette College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $91,410 ten years after enrolling, against about $80,257 for Swarthmore College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Lafayette College and Swarthmore College require SAT or ACT scores?
- Lafayette 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 Lafayette College and Swarthmore College look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1350–1500 at Lafayette College and 1490–1560 at Swarthmore College. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
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