Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania vs Swarthmore College
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania is a public university in Shippensburg, PA. Swarthmore College is a private college in Swarthmore, PA. Swarthmore College admits about 7% of applicants and Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania about 87%, 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 $23,726 at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania. About 93% of students graduate at Swarthmore College, compared with 54% at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania. Ten years after enrolling, Swarthmore College alumni earn a median of about $80,257, against $56,351 for Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania.
At a glance
Type
Public
Private
Location
Shippensburg, PA
Swarthmore, PA
Setting
Suburban
Suburban
Undergraduates
4,086
1,613
Acceptance rate
87%
7%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.35–3.85
3.54–4
SAT (middle 50%)
990–1210
1490–1560
ACT (middle 50%)
16–28
33–35
Test policy
Test blind
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$23,726
$23,149
Full cost / yr
$30,785
$84,103
In-state tuition
$13,720
$65,494
Out-of-state tuition
$15,974
$65,494
Application fee
$45
$60
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$18,709
$7,690
$30k - $48k
$18,515
$4,951
$48k - $75k
$21,386
$11,444
$75k - $110k
$25,469
$22,443
Over $110k
$28,387
$47,544
Outcomes
Graduation rate
54%
93%
Freshman retention
77%
94%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$45,010
$56,211
Median earnings (10 yr)
$56,351
$80,257
Median debt at graduation
$25,000
$17,500
Student body
Pell grant recipients
30%
19%
First-generation students
34%
27%
International students
1%
13%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
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.
- Is Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania or Swarthmore College harder to get into?
- Swarthmore College is harder to get into. It admits about 7% of applicants, compared with 87% at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania or Swarthmore College?
- Swarthmore College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $23,149 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $23,726 at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania. 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 Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania and Swarthmore College?
- Before aid, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania costs about $30,785 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, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania or Swarthmore College?
- Swarthmore College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $7,690 there, against about $18,709 at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania or Swarthmore College?
- Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania is the larger of the two, with about 4,086 undergraduates against 1,613 at Swarthmore College.
- Does Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania or Swarthmore College have a better graduation rate?
- Swarthmore College has the higher graduation rate, at about 93% against 54% at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania.
- Do graduates of Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania or Swarthmore College earn more?
- Swarthmore College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $80,257 ten years after enrolling, against about $56,351 for Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania and Swarthmore College require SAT or ACT scores?
- Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. Swarthmore College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania and Swarthmore College look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 990–1210 at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania and 1490–1560 at Swarthmore College. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania vs Haverford CollegeShippensburg University of Pennsylvania vs Franklin and Marshall CollegeShippensburg University of Pennsylvania 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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