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Messiah University vs Swarthmore College

Messiah University is a private university in Mechanicsburg, PA. Swarthmore College is a private college in Swarthmore, PA. Swarthmore College admits about 7% of applicants and Messiah University about 79%, making Swarthmore College the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $23,149 a year at Swarthmore College after aid, and about $26,502 at Messiah University. About 93% of students graduate at Swarthmore College, compared with 77% at Messiah University. Ten years after enrolling, Swarthmore College alumni earn a median of about $80,257, against $54,064 for Messiah University.

Messiah University

Mechanicsburg, PA · Private

Swarthmore College

Swarthmore, PA · Private
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
Mechanicsburg, PA
Swarthmore, PA
Setting
Suburban
Suburban
Undergraduates
2,259
1,613
Acceptance rate
79%
7%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.44–3.94
3.54–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1110–1350
1490–1560
ACT (middle 50%)
26–31
33–35
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$26,502
$23,149
Full cost / yr
$55,875
$84,103
In-state tuition
$42,240
$65,494
Out-of-state tuition
$42,240
$65,494
Application fee
$50
$60
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$19,393
$7,690
$30k - $48k
$20,317
$4,951
$48k - $75k
$20,916
$11,444
$75k - $110k
$23,574
$22,443
Over $110k
$31,847
$47,544
Outcomes
Graduation rate
77%
93%
Freshman retention
89%
94%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$50,192
$56,211
Median earnings (10 yr)
$54,064
$80,257
Median debt at graduation
$25,621
$17,500
Student body
Pell grant recipients
20%
19%
First-generation students
18%
27%
International students
2%
13%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 15
Nov 15
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Rolling
Jan 4

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.

Frequently asked questions
Is Messiah University or Swarthmore College harder to get into?
Swarthmore College is harder to get into. It admits about 7% of applicants, compared with 79% at Messiah 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, Messiah University or Swarthmore College?
Swarthmore College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $23,149 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $26,502 at Messiah 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 Messiah University and Swarthmore College?
Before aid, Messiah University costs about $55,875 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, Messiah University or Swarthmore College?
Swarthmore College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $7,690 there, against about $19,393 at Messiah University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Messiah University or Swarthmore College?
Messiah University is the larger of the two, with about 2,259 undergraduates against 1,613 at Swarthmore College.
Does Messiah University or Swarthmore College have a better graduation rate?
Swarthmore College has the higher graduation rate, at about 93% against 77% at Messiah University.
Do graduates of Messiah 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 $54,064 for Messiah University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Messiah University and Swarthmore College require SAT or ACT scores?
Messiah 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 Messiah University and Swarthmore College look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1110–1350 at Messiah University and 1490–1560 at Swarthmore College. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

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