Swarthmore's Tuition Fee?

Hi everyone, just curious about the cost of Swarthmore's tuition. Is it manageable with scholarships or is it on the steeper side?

Swarthmore is one of the highly selective private colleges, and the cost is on the higher end. As per the 2024-2025 academic year, the tuition fee is roughly $65,000. And when you factor in room and board, books and supplies, personal expenses, and other university fees, the total cost of attendance comes close to $85,000.

However, don't let this number deter you right away. Swarthmore is committed to making their education affordable and provides generous need-based aid. About 57% of Swarthmore students receive some form of need-based financial aid. The average financial aid package in recent years was above $50,000, which goes a long way in mitigating the overall cost.

But remember, everyone's financial situation is unique and aid offers can widely vary. You can use Swarthmore's Net Price Calculator to get an estimate of what the cost might look like for you after factoring in financial aid.

Also, merit-based aid scholarships at Swarthmore are rare as their main focus is on providing high levels of need-based aid. It’s important to explore all avenues of financial aid, including external scholarships from local organizations, national initiatives, and more.

Finally, keep in mind that applying Early Decision to Swarthmore is binding, so you should ensure the potential financial commitment is realistic for your family's circumstances before applying in this round.