Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Brandywine vs Swarthmore College
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Brandywine is a public university in Media, 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 98% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Brandywine. Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Brandywine is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $22,585 a year against $23,149 at Swarthmore College. About 93% of students graduate at Swarthmore College, compared with 24% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Brandywine. Ten years after enrolling, Swarthmore College alumni earn a median of about $80,257, against $63,435 for Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Brandywine.
At a glance
Type
Public
Private
Location
Media, PA
Swarthmore, PA
Setting
Suburban
Suburban
Undergraduates
1,223
1,613
Acceptance rate
98%
7%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.19–3.69
3.54–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1080–1310
1490–1560
ACT (middle 50%)
18–29
33–35
Test policy
Considered
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$22,585
$23,149
Full cost / yr
$31,088
$84,103
In-state tuition
$15,208
$65,494
Out-of-state tuition
$25,392
$65,494
Application fee
$65
$60
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$15,904
$7,690
$30k - $48k
$16,580
$4,951
$48k - $75k
$21,157
$11,444
$75k - $110k
$25,067
$22,443
Over $110k
$29,031
$47,544
Outcomes
Graduation rate
24%
93%
Freshman retention
73%
94%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$55,620
$56,211
Median earnings (10 yr)
$63,435
$80,257
Median debt at graduation
$25,000
$17,500
Student body
Pell grant recipients
34%
19%
First-generation students
29%
27%
International students
3%
13%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Nov 15
Early action
Nov 1
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.
- Is Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Brandywine or Swarthmore College harder to get into?
- Swarthmore College is harder to get into. It admits about 7% of applicants, compared with 98% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Brandywine. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Brandywine or Swarthmore College?
- Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Brandywine is cheaper on average. Students pay about $22,585 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 Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Brandywine and Swarthmore College?
- Before aid, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Brandywine costs about $31,088 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, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Brandywine or Swarthmore College?
- Swarthmore College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $7,690 there, against about $15,904 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Brandywine. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Brandywine or Swarthmore College?
- Swarthmore College is the larger of the two, with about 1,613 undergraduates against 1,223 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Brandywine.
- Does Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Brandywine or Swarthmore College have a better graduation rate?
- Swarthmore College has the higher graduation rate, at about 93% against 24% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Brandywine.
- Do graduates of Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Brandywine or Swarthmore College earn more?
- Swarthmore College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $80,257 ten years after enrolling, against about $63,435 for Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Brandywine. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Brandywine and Swarthmore College require SAT or ACT scores?
- Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Brandywine considers SAT or ACT scores when you submit them. Swarthmore College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Brandywine and Swarthmore College look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1080–1310 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Brandywine and 1490–1560 at Swarthmore College. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Brandywine vs Haverford CollegePennsylvania State University-Penn State Brandywine vs Franklin and Marshall CollegePennsylvania State University-Penn State Brandywine vs Bucknell UniversitySwarthmore College vs Haverford CollegeSwarthmore College vs Franklin and Marshall CollegeSwarthmore College vs Bucknell University
Which of these is the better fit for you?
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