Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College vs Swarthmore College
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College is a public college in Erie, 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 97% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College. Swarthmore College is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $23,149 a year against $24,558 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College. About 93% of students graduate at Swarthmore College, compared with 45% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College. Ten years after enrolling, Swarthmore College alumni earn a median of about $80,257, against $63,435 for Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College.
At a glance
Type
Public
Private
Location
Erie, PA
Swarthmore, PA
Setting
Suburban
Suburban
Undergraduates
3,240
1,613
Acceptance rate
97%
7%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.23–3.73
3.54–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1120–1310
1490–1560
ACT (middle 50%)
25–31
33–35
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$24,558
$23,149
Full cost / yr
$34,081
$84,103
In-state tuition
$15,972
$65,494
Out-of-state tuition
$26,958
$65,494
Application fee
$65
$60
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$16,092
$7,690
$30k - $48k
$17,884
$4,951
$48k - $75k
$20,539
$11,444
$75k - $110k
$26,914
$22,443
Over $110k
$29,692
$47,544
Outcomes
Graduation rate
45%
93%
Freshman retention
83%
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
29%
19%
First-generation students
29%
27%
International students
5%
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 Erie-Behrend College or Swarthmore College harder to get into?
- Swarthmore College is harder to get into. It admits about 7% of applicants, compared with 97% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend 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, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College or Swarthmore College?
- Swarthmore College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $23,149 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $24,558 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend 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 Erie-Behrend College and Swarthmore College?
- Before aid, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College costs about $34,081 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 Erie-Behrend College or Swarthmore College?
- Swarthmore College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $7,690 there, against about $16,092 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College. 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 Erie-Behrend College or Swarthmore College?
- Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College is the larger of the two, with about 3,240 undergraduates against 1,613 at Swarthmore College.
- Does Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College or Swarthmore College have a better graduation rate?
- Swarthmore College has the higher graduation rate, at about 93% against 45% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College.
- Do graduates of Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend 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 $63,435 for Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College and Swarthmore College require SAT or ACT scores?
- Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend 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 Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College and Swarthmore College look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1120–1310 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College and 1490–1560 at Swarthmore College. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College vs Haverford CollegePennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College vs Franklin and Marshall CollegePennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College vs Bucknell UniversitySwarthmore College vs Haverford CollegeSwarthmore College vs Franklin and Marshall CollegeSwarthmore College vs Bucknell University
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