CollegeCalcAI
Most selectiveUpdated for the 2025-2026 cycle

Swarthmore College acceptance rate and admissions profile

Swarthmore College is a private university in Pennsylvania with a 9% acceptance rate, which makes it most selective. Here is what it looks for, where it sits among Pennsylvania schools, and how to estimate your own odds with CollegeCalcAI.

Acceptance rate
9%
Most selective
Admitted SAT (75th pct)
1530
of admitted students
Type
Private
Pennsylvania
Selectivity in state
#2
of 62 in PA
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What Swarthmore College looks for

What Swarthmore College weighs most heavily in its admissions review, modeled from its selectivity and profile.

Rigor of secondary school record
Very important
Academic GPA
Very important
Class rank
Considered
Standardized test scores
Important
Application essay
Very important
Recommendations
Very important
Interview
Considered
Extracurricular activities
Important
Talent / ability
Important
Character / personal qualities
Very important
First-generation status
Considered
Alumni / legacy relation
Considered
Geographical residence
Considered
Volunteer work
Considered
Work experience
Considered
Level of applicant interest
Considered

SAT score positioning at Swarthmore College

How common SAT scores sit relative to the admitted middle. This is context, not a probability — your full profile determines the real estimate.

SATWhere it sits at Swarthmore College
1600Above the admitted 75th percentile
1500In the competitive admitted range
1400Well below the admitted range
1300Well below the admitted range
1200Well below the admitted range
1100Well below the admitted range

How Swarthmore College compares in Pennsylvania

Swarthmore College ranks #2 most selective of 62 schools in Pennsylvania in our database.

University of Pennsylvania
6%acceptance · PA
Carnegie Mellon University
11%acceptance · PA
Haverford College
13%acceptance · PA
Villanova University
23%acceptance · PA
Franklin & Marshall College
25%acceptance · PA
Lafayette College
30%acceptance · PA
Bryn Mawr College
30%acceptance · PA
Bucknell University
32%acceptance · PA
See all Pennsylvania schools →

Similar to Swarthmore College

Schools with a similar selectivity profile, worth comparing as you build a balanced list.

Cornell University
9%acceptance · NY
Amherst College
9%acceptance · MA
Bowdoin College
9%acceptance · ME
Claremont McKenna College
9%acceptance · CA
Rice University
8%acceptance · TX
New York University
8%acceptance · NY

Frequently asked questions

How hard is it to get into Swarthmore College?

Swarthmore College has a 9% acceptance rate, which makes it most selective — it admits roughly one in ten applicants or fewer. Admission depends on how your full profile compares to its admitted students, not on scores alone.

What SAT score do you need for Swarthmore College?

There is no hard cutoff, but the admitted-student 75th-percentile SAT is around 1530. A score at or above the admitted range strengthens your application; CollegeCalcAI shows how your exact score shifts your odds.

What does Swarthmore College value most in applicants?

Based on its admissions profile, Swarthmore College weighs rigor of secondary school record, academic gpa, application essay most heavily. The full factor breakdown is on this page.

What are my chances of getting into Swarthmore College?

Your chances depend on your GPA, course rigor, test scores, and activities together. Use the free CollegeCalcAI calculator to get a personalized acceptance estimate for Swarthmore College in a few minutes, no account required.

Want the deeper guide? Read our full Swarthmore College chances guide →

Acceptance rate and admitted test ranges reflect publicly reported data (U.S. Department of Education / NCES IPEDS / Common Data Sets). Estimates from CollegeCalcAI are a planning tool computed by a fixed, transparent model, not a guarantee of any admission decision.