Getting in
For Fall 2025, 12,995 first-year students applied to Swarthmore, 977 were admitted and 426 enrolled: an acceptance rate of 7.5%.
Source: Swarthmore Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), section C1. Read Oct 1, 2026.
By school or major. Swarthmore's Common Data Set reports one first-year acceptance rate for the whole college. Students choose a major in the sophomore year, so there is no rate by major.
Source: Swarthmore Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Early decision. Early decision counts for the Fall 2025 entering class, as the Common Data Set reports them, with both early decision rounds counted together. They are part of the totals above. Swarthmore has no early action plan.
Early decision, Fall 2025
| Plan | Applied | Admitted | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Decision (fall and winter rounds together) | 1,281 | 228 | 17.8% |
Source: Swarthmore Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), sections C21 and C22. Read Oct 1, 2026.
Programs with extra requirements
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
You apply to Swarthmore as a whole and choose a major later. One optional addition:
- Arts supplement (optional). Students with strong backgrounds in creative writing, dance, music, theater or the visual arts may share samples of their work through the applicant portal after applying, free of charge. Submissions are subject to faculty review, and Swarthmore cannot guarantee all works will be evaluated. Due November 19 for Fall Early Decision, January 8 for Winter Early Decision and January 10 for Regular Decision.
Source: Swarthmore Admissions, Art Supplements (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Source: Swarthmore Admissions, Art Supplements (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Majors
45 majors across 1 school. Every major in Swarthmore's official College Bulletin 2026-2027, with the degree it leads to. Minors and individualized majors are left out.
Majors45
- Ancient History (B.A.)
- Arabic (B.A.)
- Architectural Studies (B.A.)
- Art (B.A.)
- Art History (B.A.)
- Asian Studies (B.A.)
- Astronomy (B.A.)
- Biochemistry (B.A.)
- Biology (B.A.)
- Black Studies (B.A.)
- Chemistry (B.A.)
- Chinese (B.A.)
- Classical Studies (B.A.)
- Cognitive Science (B.A.)
- Comparative Literature (B.A.)
- Computer Science (B.A.)
- Dance (B.A.)
- Economics (B.A.)
- Educational Studies (B.A.)
- Engineering (B.S.)
- English Literature (B.A.)
- Environmental Studies (B.A.)
- Film and Media Studies (B.A.)
- French and Francophone Studies (B.A.)
- German Studies (B.A.)
- Greek (B.A.)
- History (B.A.)
- Latin (B.A.)
- Latin American and Latino Studies (B.A.)
- Linguistics (B.A.)
- Mathematics (B.A.)
- Medieval Studies (B.A.)
- Music (B.A.)
- Neuroscience (B.A.)
- Peace and Conflict Studies (B.A.)
- Philosophy (B.A.)
- Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (B.A.)
- Physics (B.A.)
- Political Science (B.A.)
- Psychology (B.A.)
- Religion (B.A.)
- Russian (B.A.)
- Sociology and Anthropology (B.A.)
- Spanish (B.A.)
- Theater (B.A.)
Source: Swarthmore College Bulletin 2026-2027, Departments and Programs (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Deadlines for Fall 2027
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
| Plan | Apply by | Decision | Binding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Early Decision | November 15 | Mid-December | Yes |
| Winter Early Decision | January 4 | Mid-February | Yes |
| Regular Decision | January 4 | By April 1 | No |
You may apply through the Common App, Coalition on Scoir or QuestBridge, with no preference among them; the application fee is $60 or a fee waiver. Early decision applicants also send first quarter or trimester senior grades. Swarthmore asks that testing be done by early November for Fall Early Decision and by mid-December for Winter Early Decision.
Source: Swarthmore Admissions, Application Materials & Deadlines (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Early decision is a commitment: Swarthmore offers early decision as the Common Data Set defines it, a plan that asks you to commit to attending if admitted, and early decision applicants send a signed Early Decision Agreement through the Common App, Coalition on Scoir or QuestBridge.
Source: Swarthmore Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Testing
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
Sending SAT or ACT scores is optional, and you are not penalized if you do not. You choose on the application whether your scores are considered or suppressed, and that choice cannot be changed after you apply. Swarthmore superscores the SAT but not the ACT, accepts scores you enter yourself in place of official ones, and does not consider the writing sections.
Source: Swarthmore Admissions, Standardized Testing Policy (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
The Common Data Set also marks the SAT or ACT as not required for fall 2027 applicants, but considered if submitted, and says Swarthmore has suspended its testing requirement for the 2026-27 admissions cycle.
Source: Swarthmore Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), section C8. Read Oct 1, 2026.
Changes already in effect
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
- Cost. Starting in fall 2027, Swarthmore covers at least the cost of tuition for domestic students whose families have a household income of $200,000 or less and typical assets. You qualify by completing the financial aid application by the posted deadlines.
Source: Swarthmore Financial Aid, Swarthmore Tuition Guarantee (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Applying next year?
For students applying in fall 2027, entering fall 2028
Not announced yet. When we checked Swarthmore's admission pages on October 1, 2026, we found no announced changes for fall 2028 entry. The deadlines and rules above are for fall 2027 entry.
Source: Swarthmore Admissions, Application Materials & Deadlines (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Cost, and what families paid after aid
The published cost of a year at Swarthmore, 2026-2027:
| Tuition and books | $72,722 |
|---|---|
| Student activities fee | $482 |
| Housing (on campus) | $11,676 |
| Food (on campus) | $10,890 |
| Course materials, supplies and equipment | $825 |
| Personal expenses | $1,775 |
| Total | $98,370 |
Swarthmore's total cost of attendance for the year. Tuition includes $800 a year for course materials at the campus store. Transportation and student health insurance vary and are not included.
Source: Swarthmore Financial Aid, Tuition, Books, Housing & Food Plan, Activities Fee (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Average net price per year, by family income, 2023-24:
| Family income | Paid after grants |
|---|---|
| $0 to $30,000 | $7,690 |
| $30,001 to $48,000 | $4,951 |
| $48,001 to $75,000 | $11,444 |
| $75,001 to $110,000 | $22,443 |
| Over $110,000 | $47,544 |
| All incomes | $23,149 |
What first-year, full-time students who received federal aid paid after grants and scholarships, by family income, in 2023-24, the latest year the Department of Education publishes. Your own price comes from Swarthmore's aid offer.
Source: College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Similar schools
Chosen for how close each is to Swarthmore College on acceptance rate, public or private, location and majors offered.
Amherst CollegeAmherst, MA · Private7.7% admitted$23,367 average net price
Cornell UniversityIthaca, NY · Private8.4% admitted$28,690 average net price
Colby CollegeWaterville, ME · Private7.1% admitted$17,180 average net price
Pomona CollegeClaremont, CA · Private7.1% admitted$19,285 average net price
Northwestern UniversityEvanston, IL · Private7.5% admitted$29,167 average net price
Admitted: each school's latest first-year acceptance rate, so the year can differ from school to school; each school's page names its year and source. Average net price: what federal aid recipients paid per year after grants, 2023-24, and the in-state figure for a public university.