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Swarthmore College vs York College of Pennsylvania

Swarthmore College is a private college in Swarthmore, PA, and York College of Pennsylvania is a private college in York, PA. Swarthmore College is the more selective of the two, admitting about 7% of applicants against 74% at York College of Pennsylvania. York College of Pennsylvania is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $18,556 a year against $23,149 at Swarthmore College. About 93% of students graduate at Swarthmore College, compared with 62% at York College of Pennsylvania. Ten years after enrolling, Swarthmore College alumni earn a median of about $80,257, against $61,012 for York College of Pennsylvania.

Swarthmore College

Swarthmore, PA · Private

York College of Pennsylvania

York, PA · Private
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
Swarthmore, PA
York, PA
Setting
Suburban
Suburban
Undergraduates
1,613
3,265
Acceptance rate
7%
74%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.54–4
3.41–3.91
SAT (middle 50%)
1490–1560
1020–1270
ACT (middle 50%)
33–35
21–28
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$23,149
$18,556
Full cost / yr
$84,103
$37,319
In-state tuition
$65,494
$25,588
Out-of-state tuition
$65,494
$25,588
Application fee
$60
$0
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$7,690
$12,927
$30k - $48k
$4,951
$14,581
$48k - $75k
$11,444
$17,024
$75k - $110k
$22,443
$17,799
Over $110k
$47,544
$22,196
Outcomes
Graduation rate
93%
62%
Freshman retention
94%
78%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$56,211
$50,940
Median earnings (10 yr)
$80,257
$61,012
Median debt at graduation
$17,500
$26,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
19%
28%
First-generation students
27%
30%
International students
13%
1%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 15
Nov 1
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Jan 4
Rolling

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 Swarthmore College or York College of Pennsylvania harder to get into?
Swarthmore College is harder to get into. It admits about 7% of applicants, compared with 74% at York College 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, Swarthmore College or York College of Pennsylvania?
York College of Pennsylvania is cheaper on average. Students pay about $18,556 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 Swarthmore College and York College of Pennsylvania?
Before aid, York College of Pennsylvania costs about $37,319 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, Swarthmore College or York College of Pennsylvania?
Swarthmore College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $7,690 there, against about $12,927 at York College of Pennsylvania. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Swarthmore College or York College of Pennsylvania?
York College of Pennsylvania is the larger of the two, with about 3,265 undergraduates against 1,613 at Swarthmore College.
Does Swarthmore College or York College of Pennsylvania have a better graduation rate?
Swarthmore College has the higher graduation rate, at about 93% against 62% at York College of Pennsylvania.
Do graduates of Swarthmore College or York College of Pennsylvania earn more?
Swarthmore College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $80,257 ten years after enrolling, against about $61,012 for York College of Pennsylvania. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Swarthmore College and York College of Pennsylvania require SAT or ACT scores?
Swarthmore College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. York College of Pennsylvania is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do Swarthmore College and York College of Pennsylvania look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1490–1560 at Swarthmore College and 1020–1270 at York College of Pennsylvania. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

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