Swarthmore College is a highly selective college of liberal arts and engineering located half an hour outside of Philadelphia, in a charming suburban slice of Pennsylvania. The college is founded on the value of striving towards the greater good, and empowers students to intertwine their academic curiosity with social responsibility and a sense of purpose.
Swarthmore's staff and faculty are fully behind this mission, from the world-class professors who engage directly with students in meaningful ways, to the staff in the dining hall, coffee bars, and libraries who can come to feel like friends. Close relationships with community members fuel life at Swarthmore. Many students collaborate with their professors on joint research projects, and the exchange of intellectual ideas between students and faculty is facilitated by small class sizes. The Honors Program extends the depth of free and critical discussion of ideas via small-group seminars.
One trademark of a "Swattie" is the desire to learn for the sake of knowledge, and the pursuit of interests inside and outside the classroom. Swatties can be astrophysicists who write poetry, economists who love to code and athletes with a passion for choreography. Almost half of the student body enjoys playing sports, whether it's at the competitive Division III level, or in more casual club and intramural sports teams.
Swarthmore's financial aid program ensures affordability--without loans. Almost 55 percent of the Class of 2022 received aid in 2018-19, with an average award of $54,967. Swarthmore makes admissions decisions for U.S. citizens and permanent residents without considering a family's ability to pay. International applicants are admitted on a need-aware basis, and are eligible for financial aid.
About
From the School
Contact & Visit
Campus Visits Contact
Contact
Jim Bock
Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid
Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid
Address
Admissions Office
500 College Ave.
Swarthmore, PA 19081
500 College Ave.
Swarthmore, PA 19081
Phone
6103288300
Experience College Life
Most Popular Places On Campus
Kohlberg & Eldridge Commons Coffee Bars
Parrish Beach (the central campus lawn)
Scott Outdoor Amphitheater
The Matchbox (wellness center)
Paces (student-run cafe)
Parrish Beach (the central campus lawn)
Scott Outdoor Amphitheater
The Matchbox (wellness center)
Paces (student-run cafe)
Most Popular Places Off Campus
Philadelphia
Downtown Swarthmore and nearby Media, Pa.
Bryn Mawr and Haverford Colleges, UPenn
King of Prussia Mall
The Swarthmore campus is served by regional rail making travel to these and other destinations easy and convenient.
Downtown Swarthmore and nearby Media, Pa.
Bryn Mawr and Haverford Colleges, UPenn
King of Prussia Mall
The Swarthmore campus is served by regional rail making travel to these and other destinations easy and convenient.
Campus Tours
Campus Visiting Center
Mon-Fri year round; Sat in spring & fall
8:30am-4:30pm; 9am-noon
6103288300
8:30am-4:30pm; 9am-noon
6103288300
Campus Tours
Appointment Required: Yes
Dates: Varies
Times: Varies
Average Length: 1 hour
Dates: Varies
Times: Varies
Average Length: 1 hour
On Campus Interview
Campus Interviews
Yes
Information Sessions
Available
Times
varies
Faculty and Coach Visits
Dates/Times Available
Year-round
Arrangements
Contact Coach Directly
Advance Notice
2 weeks
Contact Email Address for Visit
sgreen1@swarthmore.edu or see coach directory at http://www.swarthmore.edu/athletics/staff_directory.html
Class Visits
Dates/Times Available
Academic Year
Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office
Overnight Dorm Stays
Overnight Dorm Stays
Available
Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office
Limitations
High school seniors welcome, Sun -Thu
Transportation
Types of Transportation Available to Campus
Philadelphia International Airport is approximately a 20-minute drive from campus. Taxis, rental cars, or SEPTA commuter trains are available. Amtrak trains serve Philadelphia’s 30th St. Station, and from there visitors may take the SEPTA Media/Elwyn Line to the Swarthmore station on the edge of campus. Greyhound buses serve Philadelphia from many cities. From the bus station, visitors may walk to the Market East train station and take the SEPTA Media/Elwyn Line to Swarthmore as described above.
Driving Instructions to Campus
If heading east on the Pennsylvania Tpke., take Exit 326 (Valley Forge); then, take I-76 E. (Schuylkill Expressway) 2.5 miles to I-476 S. Proceed on I-476 for 13 miles to Exit 3 (Media/Swarthmore). At the bottom of the exit ramp, turn left onto Baltimore Pike. Stay in the right lane, and in less than a quarter mile, turn right onto Rte. 320 S. At the first light, turn right to stay on Rte. 320. Proceed to the second traffic light (College Ave.) and turn right. On College Avenue take the first right onto Cedar Lane. At the next stop sign turn left onto Elm Avenue. Turn left onto Whittier Place, marked by stone pillars. Proceed to the end of Whittier Place and turn right into the DuPont parking lot. The entrance to the Admissions Office is through the archway at the back of Parrish Hall. If heading west on the Pennsylvania Tpke., take Exit 333 (Norristown) and follow signs for I-476 S. Stay on I-476 for 17 miles to Exit 3(Media/Swarthmore). Follow above directions from that point. From the New Jersey Tpke., take Exit 3 and follow signs to the Walt Whitman Bridge. After crossing the bridge, stay to the right and follow signs for I-95 S. Take I-95 S., pass the Philadelphia International Airport, and continue to Exit 7 (I-476 N./Plymouth Meeting). Take I-476 N. to Exit 3 (Media/Swarthmore). At the bottom of the exit ramp, follow the sign for Swarthmore by turning right onto Baltimore Pike. Follow above directions from that point. If heading north on I-95, take Exit 7 (I-476 N./Plymouth Meeting) and merge onto I-476 N. Take Exit 3 (Media/Swarthmore). At the bottom of the exit ramp, turn right onto Baltimore Pike. Follow above directions from that point.
Save SchoolAdmissions
Admissions
Overall
From The School
First-year applicants may apply to Swarthmore via Common Application, Coalition Application, or QuestBridge Application. Swarthmore does not have a preference among any of our application options. Please submit only one application in an application year.
Required Materials
- Common Application, Coalition Application, or Questbridge Application
- Swarthmore College Short Answer
- As part of the Common or Coalition Application, you will be asked to submit no more than 250 words in response to the following short answer question (Questbridge applicants are asked this question on our Questbridge Conversion Form): "Please write about why you are interested in applying to and attending Swarthmore."
- School report
- Guidance counselor recommendation
- High school transcript
- Midyear grades: If your school does not have midyear grades, please provide a midyear progress report from your teachers.
- Self-reported or official standardized test scores
- Two academic-subject teacher evaluations
Optional Materials
- You may request an on-campus or off-campus interview. You may interview before submitting your application.
- You may submit a creative supplement with art, music, dance, theater, or creative writing materials. We accept supplements exclusively through SlideRoom, which provides instructions for submitting materials online, including a video tutorial. Please use the SlideRoom link that matches your choice of application. Submitting additional materials is strictly optional, and is at no additional charge.
- Please review financial aid application instructions and deadlines for first-year applicants.
Overview
Applicants: 9,382
Acceptance Rate: 11%
SAT & ACT Test Scores
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)
690 - 760
SAT Math
25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)
690 - 780
ACT Composite Scores
25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)
31 - 34
Testing Policies
Yes
Yes
Standardized testing policy for use in admission
Requires applicants to submit either the SAT or ACT
Deadlines
Early Decision — November 15
Early Decision II — January 1
Regular — January 1
Other Admission Factors
Academic
Rigor of Secondary School Record
Class Rank
Academic GPA
Application Essay
Recommendation(s)
Non-Academic
Character / Personal Qualities
Selectivity Rating
Get a personalized plan for a competitive application from an admissions expert.
Learn MoreAcademics
Academics
Overall
From The School
Academic Programs
The interdisciplinary nature of the college's curriculum allows unique opportunities for academic discovery. For example, Swarthmore offers a wide array of courses in distinct and intersecting disciplines, with courses such as Race, Gender, Class and Environment, which draws from multiple departments including Black Studies, Sociology/Anthropology, Gender and Sexuality Studies, and Environmental Studies. Students have the chance to craft special majors, with recent examples including Medical Anthropology, Behavioral Economics, and Sustainable Development Studies. Swarthmore's program in Educational Studies leads to Pennsylvania secondary school certification. All students have significant undergraduate research opportunities in the natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, and engineering.
One hallmark of the college's academic program is that first-year students take their fall semester courses pass-fail. Swarthmore encourages students, many of whom spent their high school careers concerned about GPAs, to focus on learning for the sake of knowledge. The pass-fail semester provides a true sense of discovery for students, and empowers them to experiment with new fields. Many students identify potentially life-changing passions, while knowing that they're free to make academic mistakes in the process. Swarthmore recognizes the learning process that comes with adjusting to college, and how vital it is to achieve a balance between engaging in the campus community both inside and outside of the classroom.
Some Swatties decide to take a deep dive into their area of interest. Those students find their intellectual home in Swarthmore's Honors Program, which features small seminar classes where students work collaboratively with faculty to explore topics through spirited debate and thoughtful exploration of ideas. At the close of their senior year, Honors Program candidates are evaluated by visiting experts in their fields, such as Federal Reserve economists and directors of world-class theater companies. You know you've truly mastered a topic when it's time to discuss your ideas with brilliant strangers.
Majors and Degrees Offered
Swarthmore College awards two degrees, the Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Science. The College offers the following courses of study:
Art and Art History
Asian Studies
Astronomy
Biology
Black Studies Chemistry and Biochemistry
Classics
Cognitive Science
Comparative Literature
Computer Science
Dance
Design Your Own Major
Economics
Educational Studies
Engineering
English Literature
Environmental Studies
Film and Media Studies
Gender and Sexuality Studies
Global Studies
History
Interpretation Theory
Islamic Studies
Latin American and Latino Studies
Linguistics
Mathematics and Statistics
Medieval Studies
Modern Languages and Literatures (including Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish)
Music
Peace and Conflict Studies
Philosophy
Physics
Political Science
Psychology
Religion
Sociology and Anthropology
Theater
Faculty and Class Information
Student/Faculty
8:1
Total Faculty
225
with Terminal Degree
217
117
Men
108
Women
52
Minority
7
International
Most frequent class size
2 - 9
Most frequent lab / sub section size
10 - 19
Graduation Rates
Graduate in 4 years
89%
Graduate in 5 years
92%
Graduate in 6 years
94%
Majors
-
AREA, ETHNIC, CULTURAL, GENDER, AND GROUP STUDIES.
African-American/Black Studies.
Asian Studies/Civilization.
Latin American Studies.
Near and Middle Eastern Studies.
Women's Studies.
-
BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES.
Biochemistry.
Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other.
Biology/Biological Sciences, General.
-
COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES AND SUPPORT SERVICES.
Computer and Information Sciences, General.
-
EDUCATION.
Education, Other.
-
ENGINEERING.
Engineering, General.
-
ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS.
English Language and Literature, General.
-
FOREIGN LANGUAGES, LITERATURES, AND LINGUISTICS.
Ancient/Classical Greek Language and Literature.
Chinese Language and Literature.
Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General.
Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics.
Comparative Literature.
French Language and Literature.
German Language and Literature.
Japanese Language and Literature.
Latin Language and Literature.
Linguistics.
Russian Language and Literature.
Spanish Language and Literature.
-
HISTORY.
History, General.
-
MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS.
Mathematics, General.
-
MULTI/INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES.
Medieval and Renaissance Studies.
Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution.
-
PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES.
Islamic Studies.
Philosophy.
Religion/Religious Studies.
-
PHYSICAL SCIENCES.
Astronomy.
Astrophysics.
Chemical Physics.
Chemistry, General.
Physics, General.
-
PSYCHOLOGY.
Physiological Psychology/Psychobiology.
Psychology, General.
Psychology, Other.
-
SOCIAL SCIENCES.
Economics, General.
Political Science and Government, General.
Sociology and Anthropology.
-
VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS.
Art History, Criticism and Conservation.
Dance, General.
Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General.
Film/Video and Photographic Arts, Other.
Fine/Studio Arts, General.
Music, General.
Students Say
Swarthmore College “has a lovely campus, the people are almost unbelievably friendly, it’s a safe environment, and it’s really, really challenging academically,” and “although it’s not one of the most well-known schools, those who do know of it also know of its wonderful reputation. It’s where to go for a real education—for learning for the sake of truly learning, rather than just for grades.” Students warn that “academics here are definitely stressful, especially when you sign up for extracurricular activities that take up some more time—and almost everyone here is involved in something outside of classes, because you don’t want to just go to class, study, and sleep every day.” As a result, “Swarthmore is truly challenging. It teaches its students tough lessons not only about classes but about life, and though it may be extremely, almost unbearably difficult sometimes, it’s totally worth it.” Undergrads also note that “there are tons of resources to help you—professors, academic mentors, writing associates (who are really helpful to talk to when you have major papers), residential assistants, psychological counseling, multicultural support groups, queer/trans support groups—basically, whenever you need help with something, there’s someone you can talk to.” Swatties also love how “Swarthmore is amazingly flexible. The requirements are very limited, allowing you to explore whatever you are interested in and change your mind millions of times about your major and career path. If they don’t offer a major you want, you can design your own with ease.”
Degrees
Bachelor's
Career Services
On-Campus Job Interviews Available
Yes
Career Services
Alumni Network
Alumni Services
Classes
Interest Inventory
Internships
Opportunities at School
Experiential
Internship
Notable Faculty
Prominent Alumni
Eugene Lang '38
Philanthropist
Sandra Moore Faber '66
National Medal of Science Winner; Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics
Evan Gregory '01 and Andrew Gregory '04
Producers of Auto-Tune the News
Cynthia Leive ’88
Editor-in-chief of Glamour
John Mather '68
senior astrophysicist, NASA; 2006 Nobel Laureate
Jonathan Franzen '81
Award-winning author of Freedom and The Corrections
Antoinette Sayeh '79
Director of the African Department at the International Monetary Fund
Academic Rating
85/99
Careers
Careers
Graduation Rates
Graduate in 4 years
89%
Graduate in 5 years
92%
Graduate in 6 years
94%
Career Services
On-Campus Job Interviews Available
Yes
Career Services
Alumni Network
Alumni Services
Classes
Interest Inventory
Internships
Opportunities at School
Experiential
Internship
ROI & Outcomes
Information from PayScale:
Starting Median Salary (Up to Bachelor's degree completed, only)
$63,800
Mid-Career Median Salary (Up to Bachelor's degree completed, only)
$129,200
Starting Median Salary (At least Bachelor's degree)
$65,400
Mid-Career Median Salary (At least Bachelor's degree)
$131,700
Percent High Job Meaning
46%
Percent STEM
45%
Students Say
Swarthmore's Career Services does its part to help students reach their fullest potential by offering a variety of useful resources. Personalized career counseling advises undergrads on their options for major selection, internships, externships, and graduate school applications. The Career Cafés engage the community on broad topics, like women in leadership or sustainable farming, that may have career implications. And, of course, a packed events calendar lets students network with alumni, attend panel discussions, and impress potential employers at recruiting consortiums. Take note of Swarthmore's extensive externship program. It matches students with alumni volunteers for week-long job-shadowing experiences in laboratories, museums, publishing companies, labor unions, leading think-tanks, and other places where you might like to work someday. Alumni who visited PayScale.com reported an average starting salary of $60,000, and 44 percent think their work makes the world a better place.
Excerpt from Colleges That Create Futures
Lots of schools have Honors Programs, but the unique program at Swarthmore might just be its most distinguishing feature. About one third of Swarthmore students work towards Honors distinction throughout their junior and senior years. Honors candidates create a program for themselves made up of four "preparations" (i.e. a seminar, thesis, or research project) in at least two disciplines. One of the fantastic things about the program is that it's entirely defined by the students. At the end of the program, external examiners who are experts in their fields, such as theater professionals from the Tisch School at NYU and Google software engineers, come to evaluate honors candidates through written and oral examination. Dr. Amy Vollmer, chair of Swarthmore's biology department, explained, "During one weekend in May, hundreds of honors examiners arrive on our campus. All of the oral exams take place in a matter of two days." Seniors who have been creating and nurturing groundbreaking ideas, get to then demonstrate what they've been learning and doing—to an expert. Their ideas are expressed and analyzed in a full discussion usually reserved for a graduate thesis defense, which can be a daunting yet exhilarating experience for students. Dr. Vollmer said that the program is unique in the way that experts in the field are introduced to Swarthmore's best and brightest. Swarthmore's reputation for scholarship returns with the honors examiners to their home institutions, a very useful rep to have when students are later applying to graduate school. Still, she said truly "the only priority at Swarthmore is undergrad." There's no "this will be useful later" mentality. Swarthmore students' work is always useful and relevant, right now.
Tuition & Aid
Tuition & Aid
Overview
From The School
Tuition, Room, Board and Fees
For 2018-2019, the College's billed charges, including tuition, room, board, and student activity fee, amount to $68,062. The activity fee covers not only the usual student services—health, library, laboratory fees, for example—but admission to all social, cultural, and athletic events on campus. In addition, the College's annual activity fee covers everything from digital printing and laundry to sporting events, campus movie screenings, and dance performances.
Financial Aid
Swarthmore's commitment to financial aid and access is at the core of our educational mission. We understand that students are admitted from a variety of economic backgrounds. The College strives to make it possible for all admitted students to attend Swarthmore, regardless of their ability to pay, and meets 100% of determined need for all admitted students. If you are a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or undocumented/DACA student graduating from a U.S. high school, the decisions about your admission to Swarthmore and your financial aid eligibility are made independently.
Swarthmore awarded more than $45 million in need-based scholarship aid to nearly 55 percent of our students for the 2018-19 academic year. Our aid awards consist of grants (which do not need to be repaid) and the expectation that students will work in a part-time campus-based job. Although Swarthmore financial aid awards are loan-free, your family might choose to borrow a loan to pay a portion of the educational expenses.
Dates
Application Deadlines
Notification Date
Apr 1
Required Forms
FAFSA
Forms CSSProfile
Forms Divorced Parent
State Aid
Forms CSSProfile
Forms Divorced Parent
State Aid
Financial Aid Statistics
Average Freshman Total Need-Based Gift Aid
$53,395
Average Undergraduate Total Need-Based Gift Aid
$51,079
Average Need-Based Loan
$0
Undergraduates who have borrowed through any loan program
24%
Average amount of loan debt per graduate
$22,060
Average amount of each freshman scholarship/grant package
$46,931
Financial aid provided to international students
Yes
Expenses per Academic Year
Tuition
$54,256
Required Fees
$400
Average Cost for Books and Supplies
$1,400
Tuition / Fees Vary by Year of Study
No
Board for Commuters
Transportation for Commuters
On-Campus Room and Board
$16,088
Comprehensive Fee
Available Aid
Financial Aid Methodology
Institutional
Scholarships and Grants
Need-Based
Need-Based College/University Scholarship or Grant Aid from Institutional Funds
Need-Based Federal Pell
Need-Based Private Scholarships
Need-Based SEOG
Need-Based State Scholarships
Federal Direct Student Loan Programs
Direct PLUS Loans
Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans
Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans
Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans
Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans
Federal Family Education Loan Programs (FFEL)
College/university loans from institutional funds
State Loans
State Loans
Is Institutional Employment Available (other than Federal Work Study)
Yes
Direct Lender
No
Financial Aid Rating
97/99
Student Body
Student Body
Overall
From The School
With more than 100 student clubs and organizations on campus, dozens of community service groups, 22 Division III varsity athletic teams, free lectures and performances occurring daily on campus, and full course loads, Swarthmore students are in perpetual motion.
Student Body Profile
Total Undergraduate Enrollment
1,641
Foreign Countries Represented
70
Demographics
16.57%
Asian
7.12%
Black
12.22%
Hispanic
40.76%
Caucasian
3.19%
Unknown
12.77%
International
51% female
49% male
87% are out of state
100% are full time
0% are part time
Students Say
Students are “not sure if there is a typical Swattie” but suspect that “the defining feature among us is that each person is brilliant at something: maybe dance, maybe quantum physics, maybe philosophy. Each person here has at least one thing that [he or she does] extraordinarily well.” A Swattie “is [typically] liberal, involved in some kind of activism group or multicultural group, talks about classes all the time, was labeled a nerd by people in high school, and is really smart—one of those people where you just have to wonder, how do they get all their homework done and manage their extracurriculars and still have time for parties?” The campus “is very diverse racially but not in terms of thought—in other words, pretty much everyone’s liberal, you don’t get many different points of view. Multicultural and queer issues are big here, but you don’t have to be involved in that to enjoy Swarthmore. You just have to accept it.”
Campus Life
Campus Life
Overview
From The School
Location
The beauty of Swarthmore's 425-acre campus is immediately striking. Students draw inspiration from the meticulously-tended gardens, stunning arboretum specimen trees, and variety of woodsy trails. Each fall, The Graduate is screened on the lawn in front of Parrish Hall, allowing students to contemplate life beyond Swarthmore, and seniors to chant their class year with reckless abandon. With Philadelphia less than 30 minutes away, and New York City and Washington, D.C. within a 90-minute train ride, Swatties enjoy connecting to the wider world. The close-knit community allows each student to have access to the college's wide array of opportunities, such as the student who, partly on the strength of helping to build a database of Crum Woods ecological data, was offered a position at Google. The bottom line: Swarthmore's sense of place prepares you for anything and everything. Our alumni are equipped to pivot as needed in their careers—responding to dynamic industry changes as well as their own evolving goals.
Campus Facilities & Equipment
Swarthmore provides a dynamic array of arts spaces for students to enjoy or stage a performance—including professional theater facilities. Students explore their interests across campus, by learning a new dialect through immersion with Language Center technology, making sense of the stars in the Peter Van de Kamp Observatory, and working on social equity projects through the Lang Center for Civic & Social Responsibility. The forthcoming biology, engineering, psychology building will feature cutting-edge labs and collaborative work spaces. The James Hormel-Michael Nguyen Intercultural Center at Sproul Hall brings the renovated and expanded Intercultural Center together with the Interfaith Center and the International Student Center, along with programs and services that support the personal and intellectual development of Asian American, LatinX, multiracial, Native American, LGBTQ+, low-income, and first-generation students. The Matchbox fitness facility offers a multifaceted, modern approach to wellness, recreation, and community. Whether students are snacking on a samosa while editing a project at the Media Center or chatting with friends about summer research over a meal at Sharples, the abundance of campus resources permeates life at Swarthmore.
Off-Campus Opportunities
Swarthmore belongs to the Tri-College consortium, which provides both academic and social links to nearby Bryn Mawr and Haverford Colleges. In addition, students can take courses at the University of Pennsylvania, a short train ride away. These extensions of the Swarthmore experience allow students to expand their intellectual and social capital, such as watching a play at Haverford, connecting with a Penn professor about an internship reference, or practicing with an a capella group at Bryn Mawr. The College offers shuttles to the other Tri-Co schools, community service sites, local restaurants and shops, and more. The train station on campus invites students to explore the rich cultural tapestry of center city Philadelphia.
Campus Life
Undergrads living on campus
96%
Help finding off-campus housing
No
80/99
First-Year Students living on campus
100%
Campus Environment
Village
92/99
Housing Options
Apartment Single
Disabled Student
Dorms Coed
Disabled Student
Dorms Coed
Dorms Female
Dorms Male
Other
Theme Housing
Dorms Male
Other
Theme Housing
Students Say
The Swarthmore community is “a family of students who are engaged in academics, learning, politics, activism, and civic responsibility, with a work hard, play hard, intense mentality, who don’t get enough sleep because they’re too busy doing all they want to do in their time here, and who (this is kind of cheesy, but true) when you really think about it are really just smart students who care about the world and want to make it better.” There “is a misconception that Swarthmore students do nothing but study, [but] while we certainly do a lot of it, we still find many ways to have fun.” Not so much in hometown Swarthmore—”there isn’t a lot to do right in the area”—but “with a train station on campus, Philly is very accessible.” Additionally, “there are so many organizations and clubs on campus that you’d be pressed to find none of the activities interesting. Even then, you can start your own club, so that takes care of it.” The small size of the school means that “opportunities to participate in many different programs” are usually available. On-campus activities “are varied, and there is almost always something to do on the weekend. There are student musical performances, drama performances, movies, speakers, and comedy shows,” as well as “several parties every weekend, with and without alcohol, and a lot of pre-partying with friends.” One student sums up, “While it is tough to generalize on the life of a Swarthmore student, one word definitely applies to us all: busy. All of us are either working on extracurriculars, studying, or fighting sleep to do more work.”
Special Needs Admissions
College Entrance Tests Required
No
Interview Required
No
Special Need Services Offered
Student Activities
Registered Student Organizations
150
Number of Honor Societies
3
Number of Social Sororities
1
Number of Religious Organizations
14
9% join a fraternity
4% join a sorority
Sports
Athletic Division
Division III
Men's Sports (Garnet)
10 Sports
Baseball
Basketball
Cross Country
Golf
Lacrosse
Soccer
Swimming
Tennis
Track Field Indoor
Track Field Outdoor
Basketball
Cross Country
Golf
Lacrosse
Soccer
Swimming
Tennis
Track Field Indoor
Track Field Outdoor
Women's Sports (Garnet)
12 Sports
Badminton
Basketball
Cross Country
Field Hockey
Lacrosse
Soccer
Softball
Swimming
Tennis
Track Field Indoor
Track Field Outdoor
Volleyball
Basketball
Cross Country
Field Hockey
Lacrosse
Soccer
Softball
Swimming
Tennis
Track Field Indoor
Track Field Outdoor
Volleyball
Student Services
Health
Womens Center
Air Force ROTC Offered at cooperating institutions: St. Joseph's University
Womens Center
LGBT Support Groups: Swarthmore hosts social, activist and support organizations for gay, lesbian and transgendered students. Learn more at: http://www.swarthmore.edu/living-swarthmore/student-activities-and-leadership
Minority Support Groups: Swarthmore is a welcoming place for students of all backgrounds. We believe in creating a campus environment that benefits from the widest range of cultural, racial, and social perspectives. Learn more at: http://www.swarthmore.edu/intercultural-center
Air Force ROTC Offered at cooperating institutions: St. Joseph's University
Sustainability
Swarthmore’s Quaker heritage fuels its verve for environmental stewardship. The College buys renewable energy credits for 125 percent of its electricity use and, through its Climate Action Plan, is committed to reaching carbon neutrality by 2035. All new construction is certified LEED Silver or higher, which aligns with the College’s intention to apply the highest standard of sustainable construction possible to its planned Biology, Engineering, Psychology building. Ninety-seven percent of Swarthmore students live on campus, relying on bike- and car-sharing programs and public transportation. There’s more: dining services allots nearly half of its food budget to local and organic ingredients. The College composts over 200 pounds of kitchen scraps and post-consumer waste daily and recycles vegetable oil — reducing carbon dioxide as much as planting 2,024 trees would. And the stormwater management approach deploys porous pavement, rain gardens, infiltration beds, and 31,000 square feet of green roofing to control runoff. But environmental stewardship isn’t just an over-arching ethic at Swarthmore. It’s personal. Among the student-supported efforts is the Crum Creek Monitoring project, for which they help to test chemicals and track the watershed’s vitality. Another source of pride is the Good Food project, whose community-built, organic garden stokes sustainable food practices.
94/99
AASHE STARS® rating
SILVER
School Has Formal Sustainability Committee
Yes
School employs a sustainability officer
Yes
Public GHG inventory plan
Yes
Available Transportation Alternatives
Car Sharing Program
Yes
Condensed Work Week Option For Employees
Yes
Free Or Reduced Price Transit Passes And/Or Free Campus Shuttle
Yes
Incentives Or Programs To Encourage Employees To Live Close To Campus
Yes
Indoor And Secure Bike Storage, Shower Facilities, And Lockers For Bicycle Commuters
Yes
School Adopted A Policy Prohibiting Idling
Yes
School Offers A Telecommute Program For Employees
Yes
Data provided by Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), STARS®, as of March, 2023.
Campus Security Report
Campus Security Report
The Jeanne Clery Act requires colleges and universities to disclose their security policies, keep a public crime log, publish an annual crime report and provide timely warnings to students and campus employees about a crime posing an immediate or ongoing threat to students and campus employees.
Please visit The Princeton Review’s page on campus safety for additional resources: http://www.princetonreview.com/safety
The Princeton Review publishes links directly to each school's Campus Security Reports where available. Applicants can also access all school-specific campus safety information using the Campus Safety and Security Data Analysis Cutting Tool provided by the Office of Postsecondary Education of the U.S. Department of Education: https://ope.ed.gov/campussafety/#/
Other Information
Campus-wide Internet Network
Yes
% of Classrooms with Wireless Internet
100
Fee for Network Use
No
Partnerships with Technology Companies
No
Personal computer included in tuition for each student
No
Discounts Available with Hardware Vendors
Yes
Description
Apple, Dell
