More selective than 98% of Pennsylvania colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
40% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 14% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose Swarthmore College over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
Swarthmore College SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, Swarthmore College is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 740 | 770 |
| SAT math | 750 | 790 |
| ACT composite | 33 | 35 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 1490 | 1560 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
Swarthmore College admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 7% | 740–770 | 750–790 | 33–35 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 7% | 720–770 | 740–790 | 33–34 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is Swarthmore College compared with other Pennsylvania colleges?
Swarthmore College has the 3rd-lowest acceptance rate of 111 Pennsylvania colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Curtis Institute of Music | 5% | 96% | — |
| 2 | University of Pennsylvania | 5% | 97% | $28,699 |
| 3 | Swarthmore College | 7% | 92% | $23,149 |
| 4 | Carnegie Mellon University | 12% | 94% | $31,944 |
| 5 | Haverford College | 12% | 90% | $25,314 |
| 6 | Lehigh University | 26% | 88% | $36,931 |
| 7 | Villanova University | 27% | 92% | $43,756 |
| 8 | Franklin and Marshall College | 28% | 84% | $36,425 |
| 9 | Bucknell University | 29% | 86% | $40,766 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Pennsylvania colleges →
Who enrolls at Swarthmore College
College Scorecard; IPEDS
Swarthmore College admissions questions
What is the Swarthmore College acceptance rate?
Swarthmore College accepts 7% of applicants, about 1 in 13. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 992 of 14,287 applicants were admitted.
Does Swarthmore College require the SAT or ACT?
Swarthmore College considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 40% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 14% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for Swarthmore College?
The middle 50% of Swarthmore College enrolled first-year students scored 1490–1560 on the SAT and 33–35 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at Swarthmore College?
42% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (415 of 992).
Is Swarthmore College getting harder to get into?
Swarthmore College accepted 7% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 7% for Fall 2023.
Is Swarthmore College the right fit for your family?
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Swarthmore College overview