Swarthmore College vs University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania is the more selective of the two at 5%, versus 7% at Swarthmore College. Here is how they compare on selectivity, test scores, and what they weigh, plus a free way to estimate your odds at each.
Swarthmore College vs University of Pennsylvania: the differences that matter
How Swarthmore College and University of Pennsylvania stack up on selectivity, scores, and what they value.
Swarthmore College and University of Pennsylvania are almost equally selective (7% vs 5%), so neither is a clear safety relative to the other. Your odds at each come down to fit, not headline difficulty.
The two also read applications a little differently. Swarthmore College leans more on class rank, level of applicant interest, while University of Pennsylvania puts more weight on a similar mix of factors. The same profile can land differently at each, which is why a per-school estimate matters more than a single GPA.
On test scores, Swarthmore College's admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1530 and University of Pennsylvania's is around 1560. Admitted students at University of Pennsylvania post somewhat higher scores. Run your own numbers below to see where you stand at each.
What each school weighs
Factors either school weighs heavily, side by side.
Frequently asked questions
Is Swarthmore College or University of Pennsylvania harder to get into?
University of Pennsylvania is harder to get into, with a 5% acceptance rate versus 7% at Swarthmore College.
What's the difference in SAT scores between Swarthmore College and University of Pennsylvania?
Swarthmore College's admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1530, and University of Pennsylvania's is around 1560.
What are my chances at Swarthmore College and University of Pennsylvania?
That depends on your full profile. CollegeCalcAI gives a free, personalized estimate for each school in a few minutes.