Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, Pennsylvania · Private Nonprofit · 7.5% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 92/100 · Exceptional Value
Swarthmore earns an ROI score of 92 -- Exceptional Value -- from a private liberal arts college of just 1,613 students outside Philadelphia. The sticker price of $65,494 in tuition looks alarming, but the net price drops to $23,149 after aid, and low-income families often pay far less. A 92.3% completion rate puts Swarthmore in the top tier nationally. Median 10-year earnings hit $80,257 -- a strong outcome for a school with no engineering or business school in the traditional sense. The payback period of 5.1 years is faster than most flagship public universities. Computer and Information Sciences and Economics are the two programs with the most graduates and the clearest salary data, with CS alumni earning a median $103,686 one year out. The liberal arts framework means most students build breadth first, then specialize -- graduates end up in finance, consulting, tech, medicine, and law at high rates. Median debt of $17,500 is well below the national average, and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39 signals manageable repayment for most borrowers. Swarthmore's aid program is the key factor: the college meets full demonstrated need for all admitted students.
The median graduate earns $80,257 ten years after entry - well above the national median of roughly $55,000 for 4-year college graduates.
Swarthmore College
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $65,494/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $65,494/yr |
| Average net price | $23,149/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $92,596 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $80,257 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $44,500 |
| Median debt at graduation | $17,500 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $186 |
| Estimated payback period | 5.1 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 92.3% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 1,613 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Swarthmore College is $65,494/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $23,149/year, or roughly $92,596 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $7,690/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $47,544/year.
The median graduate leaves with $17,500 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $186 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $80,257 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.39 - well within manageable territory.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $7,690 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $4,951 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $11,444 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $22,443 |
| $110,001+ | $47,544 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning under $30,000 pay a net price of $7,690 per year at Swarthmore -- and the 30k-48k bracket actually pays less at $4,951. This is among the most affordable net prices for any selective private college in the country. For a low-income student admitted to Swarthmore, the financial case is strong. Four years of net cost around $20,000-30,000 total is cheaper than many in-state public options when room and board are factored in. Swarthmore's endowment-backed aid program is genuine, not window dressing.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48k-75k bracket pays $11,444 per year; the 75k-110k bracket pays $22,443. That's a noticeable jump -- cost roughly doubles as income moves through the middle range. Middle-income families should run the net price calculator before deciding the sticker price is disqualifying. For families in the $50k-$75k range especially, Swarthmore can be competitive with public flagships once aid is applied.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning over $110,000 pay a net price of $47,544 per year -- close to full freight. At that level, high-income families need to weigh whether the Swarthmore premium is worth it versus strong public options. The 10-year earnings of $80,257 and payback period of 5.1 years suggest the investment pays off for most graduates, but it requires family resources or willingness to borrow. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39 stays manageable even at higher debt levels.
Earnings by Major
Top 6 most popular majors at Swarthmore College with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Economics | $128,051 | B+ |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $150,942 | - |
| Mathematics | $72,656 | - |
| International Relations | $58,372 | - |
| Engineering, General | $78,519 | - |
| Biology | $57,754 | - |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Computer and Information Sciences
Swarthmore CS graduates 73 students per year and they land well. Median earnings one year out: $103,686. By year four, the median hits $150,942. These numbers outpace the typical CS graduate from a large public university. The Swarthmore CS program is small and rigorous, which means students get more faculty access and project depth than in large cohorts. Graduates tend to move into software engineering, data science, and ML roles at tech companies and financial firms. The program's liberal arts context means CS majors often double with economics or mathematics, building a profile that resonates with employers looking for analytical range, not just coding output.
Economics
Economics is Swarthmore's most popular major by graduate count, with 76 graduates per year. One-year median earnings of $76,944 place these graduates solidly in the top quartile for economics majors nationally. Four-year earnings reach $128,051. Median debt for econ graduates is $19,500, giving a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.25 -- roiGrade B+. Econ graduates from Swarthmore go into consulting, finance, and graduate programs at high rates. The program's quantitative focus, combined with the school's general emphasis on writing and argument, prepares students for both analyst roles and graduate admissions at competitive programs.
Engineering, General
Swarthmore's engineering program produces 33 graduates annually and offers something rare: ABET-accredited engineering degrees inside a liberal arts college. Four-year earnings reach $78,519. The program is intentionally small, which means students work closely with faculty on research and senior thesis projects. Swarthmore engineers often pursue graduate school in engineering or applied sciences. Employers in defense, infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing actively recruit from this program. The combination of technical rigor with writing-intensive humanities requirements gives these graduates communication skills that most engineering programs don't develop.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 87.8% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 91.4% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 88.2% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 90.6% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 7.5% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 750-790 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 740-770 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 33-35 |
| Enrollment | 1,613 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 19.5% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $14,961 |
At 7.5% admit rate, Swarthmore is one of the most selective liberal arts colleges in the country. The academic profile is tight: SAT math 750-790, SAT reading 740-770, ACT 33-35. Getting in requires exceptional grades, strong essays, and demonstrated intellectual initiative. Early decision acceptance rates are higher, as at most highly selective schools. Students on the margins academically should treat this as a reach.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Swarthmore's closest liberal arts peers in this dataset include Pomona College (ROI 90, net price $19,285) and Bowdoin College (ROI 92, net price $14,398). All three schools share elite completion rates above 92%, similar earnings trajectories, and robust aid programs. Swarthmore's net price for low-income families is slightly higher than Bowdoin's ($7,690 vs. $3,145) but its CS and engineering programs give it an earnings edge in technical fields. Carleton College (ROI 84) and Grinnell College (ROI 83) are the more accessible liberal arts comparators -- both strong, but with lower 10-year earnings medians and less selectivity. Swarthmore sits at the top of the liberal arts ROI tier.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swarthmore College (this school) | 92 | $23,149 | $80,257 |
| Claremont McKenna College | 92 | $28,849 | $104,736 |
| Bowdoin College | 92 | $14,398 | $82,735 |
| Pomona College | 90 | $19,285 | $77,779 |
| Albright College | 56 | $20,024 | $58,700 |
| Bryn Athyn College of the New Church | 34 | $20,586 | $40,457 |
Who Thrives Here
Swarthmore selects heavily. With a 7.5% admission rate and SAT ranges of 740-770 reading and 750-790 math (ACT 33-35), admitted students are in the top academic percentile. Pell Grant recipients make up 19% of students, which is notable for a school this selective -- a signal that financial aid is real and broad. Students who thrive here are self-directed, intellectually curious, and comfortable in a high-pressure seminar environment. The school's engineering program, honor code culture, and interdisciplinary ethos attract students who want depth, not just credentials.
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
Swarthmore College is one of the strongest financial investments in higher education. With a total 4-year net cost of $92,596 and median graduate earnings of $80,257 ten years out, the math works decisively in graduates' favor. The estimated payback period of 5.1 years is well below average.
The data highlights several strengths: strong earnings premium over high school graduates, a 92.3% graduation rate, manageable debt relative to earnings, high loan repayment success.
Median debt of $17,500 is very manageable against $80,257 in annual earnings - well within the financial advisor rule of thumb that total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.