Swarthmore College was founded in 1864 by the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). It is located in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania and is one of the oldest liberal arts colleges in the United States. The school was established as a co-educational institution and was the first college to offer degrees to both men and women. In its early years, Swarthmore College was known as an elite college, with students coming from wealthy families with ties to prominent politicians and businessmen. It soon gained a reputation for its rigorous academics and numerous extracurricular activities. Many of its graduates went on to become leaders in politics, business, science, literature, education, and other fields.
Throughout the twentieth century Swarthmore College continued to grow and expand its academic offerings. By the 1970s it had become one of the most selective colleges in the country with a student body that was increasingly diverse not only racially but also socioeconomically. In 2000 Swarthmore College opened its new Science Center which allowed for much more research opportunities for students and faculty alike. Today Swarthmore remains an elite liberal arts college that continues to challenge its students both academically and socially while providing them with an environment that encourages learning outside of the classroom as well. Check sportingology for information about GRE.
Swarthmore College, as one of the top colleges ranked by major educational institutions, has impressed us by its high selectivity and student friendly application process during admissions. The following tables detail 2018 class profile, including total applications received, average high school GPA, SAT scores/ACT scores, and acceptance rates of Swarthmore College. To learn more about GPA, SAT and ACT scores information, please follow the links below. If you want to find even more about Swarthmore College, such as tuition fees and scholarships, you can click the link after tables to visit the school’s official website.
University acronym: https://www.abbreviationfinder.org/acronyms/sc_swarthmore-college.html
Admissions Stats
Swarthmore College is one of the most selective colleges in the country. It has an acceptance rate of 11%, which places it on par with some of the most competitive Ivy League schools. In terms of its student body, Swarthmore has a diverse population, with students from all 50 states and over 80 countries represented. The average SAT score for admitted students is 1530, and the average ACT score is 33. The college also looks for students who have excelled in their academic studies, with a median high school GPA of 3.9. Additionally, Swarthmore considers extracurriculars and personal qualities when making admissions decisions, such as leadership potential and creativity. As part of their application process, students must submit two letters of recommendation from teachers or counselors who can provide insight into their academic ability and character traits.
In terms of financial aid at Swarthmore College, approximately 60% of undergraduate students receive some form of aid to help make college more affordable for them. The college offers need-based grants to eligible applicants, as well as merit-based scholarships for those who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement or have participated in special programs or activities that are recognized by the college. Additionally, Swarthmore offers work-study programs to help cover tuition costs and living expenses while attending school.
Fall 2022 Selectivity
| Selectivity | most selective |
| Fall 2022 acceptance rate | 16% |
| Early decision acceptance rate | 34% |
| Early action acceptance rate | N/A |
| Acceptance rate (excluding early action and early decision students) | 15% |
Fall 2022 Applications, Acceptances & Enrollments
| Applicants | 6,041 |
| Female applicants | 3,595 |
| Male applicants | 2,446 |
| Applicants accepted | 974 |
| Female applicants accepted | 514 |
| Male applicants accepted | 460 |
| Freshman enrollment | 388 |
| Female freshman enrollment | 195 |
| Male freshman enrollment | 193 |
| Early decision applicants | 493 |
| Early decision applicants accepted | 166 |
| Early decision applicants enrolled | N/A |
| Early action applicants | N/A |
| Early action applicants accepted | N/A |
| Early action applicants enrolled | N/A |
| Total enrolled incoming freshmen who were accepted under early acceptance or early action | N/A |
Fall 2022 Wait List
| School has a wait list | Yes |
| Applicants placed on wait list | N/A |
| Students accepting place on wait list | N/A |
| Students accepted from wait list | 7 |
Fall 2022 High School Rank
| Freshman students submitting high school class standing | 47% |
Fall 2022 High School GPA
| Freshman students submitting high school GPA | N/A |
| Average high school GPA | N/A |
| High school GPA 25th-75th percentile range | N/A |
| GPA breakdown | N/A |
Fall 2022 Freshman SAT Scores
| Freshman students submitting SAT scores | 87% |
| SAT Critical Reading average score | 716 |
| SAT Critical Reading 25th-75th percentile range | 670-760 |
| SAT Math average score | 709 |
| SAT Math 25th-75th percentile range: | 670-770 |
| SAT Writing average score | 718 |
| SAT Writing 25th-75th percentile range | 680-770 |
| SAT Essay 25th-75th percentile range | N/A |
Fall 2022 Freshman ACT Scores
| Freshman students submitting ACT scores | 37% |
| Average ACT Composite score | 31 |
| ACT Composite 25th-75th percentile range | 29-33 |
| ACT English 25th-75th percentile range | N/A |
| ACT English score breakdown | N/A |
| ACT Math 25th-75th percentile range | N/A |
| ACT Math score breakdown | N/A |