University of Pennsylvania vs Swarthmore College
University of Pennsylvania is a private university in Philadelphia, PA. Swarthmore College is a private college in Swarthmore, PA. University of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants and Swarthmore College about 7%, making University of Pennsylvania 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 $28,699 at University of Pennsylvania. About 97% of students graduate at University of Pennsylvania, compared with 93% at Swarthmore College. Ten years after enrolling, University of Pennsylvania alumni earn a median of about $111,371, against $80,257 for Swarthmore College.
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* Reported aid for this income range averaged above the billed cost.
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 University of Pennsylvania or Swarthmore College harder to get into?
- University of Pennsylvania is harder to get into. It admits about 5% of applicants, compared with 7% at Swarthmore 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, 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 $28,699 at 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 University of Pennsylvania and Swarthmore College?
- Before aid, Swarthmore College costs about $84,103 a year and University of Pennsylvania about $89,028. 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, University of Pennsylvania or Swarthmore College?
- University of Pennsylvania. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $-3,012 there, against about $7,690 at Swarthmore College. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, University of Pennsylvania or Swarthmore College?
- University of Pennsylvania is the larger of the two, with about 10,650 undergraduates against 1,613 at Swarthmore College.
- Does University of Pennsylvania or Swarthmore College have a better graduation rate?
- University of Pennsylvania has the higher graduation rate, at about 97% against 93% at Swarthmore College.
- Do graduates of University of Pennsylvania or Swarthmore College earn more?
- University of Pennsylvania alumni earn more on average: a median of about $111,371 ten years after enrolling, against about $80,257 for Swarthmore College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do University of Pennsylvania and Swarthmore College require SAT or ACT scores?
- University of Pennsylvania requires SAT or ACT scores. Swarthmore College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do University of Pennsylvania and Swarthmore College look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1510–1570 at University of Pennsylvania and 1490–1560 at Swarthmore College. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
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