Official NCES IPEDS & Common Data Set Admissions Statistics (2025-2026 Cycle)
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Liberal Arts Flagship Private liberal arts college Swarthmore, PA

Swarthmore College Acceptance Rate

Comprehensive admissions statistics, middle 50% SAT/ACT test score percentiles, GPA requirements, deadlines, and cost of attendance according to official NCES IPEDS and Common Data Set reports.

Official Acceptance Rate
6.9%

7 admitted per 100 applicants

Total Applicants
14,200
Undergraduate pool
Total Admitted
980
Offers extended
Enrolled Freshmen
430
Yield: 43.9%
Middle 50% SAT
1480-1560
25th-75th Percentile
Middle 50% ACT
33-35
Composite score
Average High School GPA
3.94
Unweighted 4.0 scale

Calculate Your Chances of Admission to Swarthmore College

Simulate how your personal high school GPA and standardized test scores compare against Swarthmore's accepted cohort.

College Admissions Chances Calculator

Evaluate admission odds based on your GPA and SAT/ACT scores against official IPEDS benchmarks

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3.85
Composite SAT Score 1480
Harvard University
Institutional Acceptance Rate: 3.4%
Reach School
Estimated Admission Likelihood
6% - 10% (~2.4x baseline rate)
Reach (<35%) Target (35%-70%) Safety (>70%)
Academic Profile vs Middle 50% Benchmarks:
Your GPA vs School Avg
3.85 vs 3.98 Below Avg
Your SAT vs Mid-50%
1480 vs 1490-1580 Near 25th %
Strategic Recommendations for this College:

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Swarthmore Standardized Test Score Distributions

Breakdown of the 25th percentile (bottom quarter) vs 75th percentile (top quarter) of matriculated students.

SAT Middle 50% Distribution

1600 Scale
Composite Total Range 1480 – 1560
Reading & Writing (EBRW) 720 – 780
Math Section 750 – 790
Current Testing Policy Test-Optional through 2026

ACT & GPA Academic Benchmarks

36 Scale / 4.0 GPA
ACT Composite 25th Percentile 33
ACT Composite 75th Percentile 35
Average High School Unweighted GPA 3.94 / 4.00
Estimated Class Rank Top 10% of high school graduating class

Application Deadlines & Admissions Plans

Regular Decision (RD) Deadline January 4
Early Application Deadline November 15
Early Admissions Plan Type Early Decision
Application Fee $60 (Fee waivers accepted)

Tuition & Estimated Cost of Attendance

In-State Tuition & Fees $62,412 / year
Out-of-State Tuition & Fees $62,412 / year
Institutional Type Private liberal arts college
Official Admissions Portal Visit Swarthmore

Swarthmore College Admissions FAQ

Frequently asked questions regarding admission requirements, GPA, and test percentiles for Swarthmore.

What is the acceptance rate for Swarthmore College?

The official undergraduate acceptance rate for Swarthmore College (Swarthmore) is approximately 6.9%. For every 100 applicants, around 7 students are admitted, according to latest NCES IPEDS and Common Data Set reports.

What GPA do you need to get into Swarthmore?

Admitted students to Swarthmore typically have an average unweighted high school GPA of around 3.94 on a 4.0 scale. Most successful applicants take rigorous AP, IB, or Honors courses and rank in the top quartile of their graduating class.

What are the middle 50% SAT and ACT scores for Swarthmore?

The middle 50% SAT score range for admitted students is 1480 to 1560. For the ACT, the middle 50% composite score is 33 to 35. Scoring in the upper 75th percentile significantly increases your admissions chances.

What is the application deadline for Swarthmore College?

The regular decision application deadline for Swarthmore College is January 4. Early applicants typically submit their materials by November 15 under the Early Decision admissions plan.

Is Swarthmore test-optional in 2025-2026?

Swarthmore College's testing policy status: Test-Optional through 2026. Please verify program-specific requirements on the official admissions portal before submitting.