Swarthmore College

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at Swarthmore College was $58,928 a year.

In 2022, tuition increased 5.5%–from $55,856 the previous year. On average, colleges raise tuition about 3% each year.

If this information makes going to college sound impossible, remember, the advertized cost of tuition doesn't tell the full story. Many students pay a lot less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are applied. And, student loans can make thecost of college more manageable until after graduation.

In-state vs. Out-of-state Tuition at Swarthmore College

Swarthmore College is a private, nonprofit institution, so it has the same tuition for students from Pennsylvania as it does for students who live in other states.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state residency can cut the cost of college tuition. Don't forget to check your state's eligibility criteria for in-state tuition. Each state has different requirements to qualify as in-state resident. The most common requirement is that students must have lived in the state for a full year before starting school. There may be other criteria as well, depending on where you live.

Explore other Pennsylvania colleges

Is Swarthmore College's Tuition Different for International Students?

Swarthmore College has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

International students usually do not qualify for for federal financial aid, but should research private or school-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities.. International students who demonstrate financial need may qualify for the following types of financial support at Swarthmore College:

•On-campus jobs •Swarthmore College-specific scholarships

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Swarthmore College Room, Board, Fees, and More

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Tuition is not the only cost of attending college; room and board, books, transportation and fees are also costs it consider when planning for college. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Swarthmore College.

Room and Board Costs at Swarthmore College

Room and board at Swarthmore College is $18,026 a year. This number includes the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, and a dining plan that enables you to eat all or some of your meals the Swarthmore College's on-campus cafeterias and dining halls.

Board costs vary based on on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

Cost of Books at Swarthmore College

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. The real cost of books and supplies depends on the courses you take and what kinds of books and materials they require. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy used textbooks and materials.

Yearly Fees

Most schools also have fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

There may be optional fees associated with participating in certain activities, like Greek Life, or playing on an intramural sports team. Many schools offer ways so that those with demonstrated need to find ways to lower or eliminate these fees.

The Cost of Transportation at Swarthmore College

The total cost of transportation in college can really vary. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Is on-campus parking free, or will you need to budget for parking? Is the campus small enough that you can easily walk from class-to-class?? Do you own a car, or will you need to use public transportation? All of these questions can drastically impact your estimated cost of transportation. Keeping in mind, first-year students are not allowed to park a car on campus.

The location of a college or university can also have a big effect on your transportation budget. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the other hand transportation in a city might be costly, but there may be more trains, busses and low-cost flight options to actually get to school. Swarthmore Collegeis in a suburban setting in Pennsylvania, not far from Philadelphia.

Other Costs

When you're planning for college, don’t forget to take into account personal expenses, like going out to eat or see shows, furnishing your living space, and things like haircuts, clothes and, yes, even toilet paper and shampoo.

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Total Tuition and Expenses at Swarthmore College

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Now, let’s go over all of the costs we've covered, to get a better idea of what is really costs to go to Swarthmore College.

How Much Does Swarthmore College Cost?

What will the cost of attending Swarthmore College be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2022 Total Tuition and Expenses
Tuition	$58,928
Room and Board	$18,026
Other expenses	$1,465

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Total Estimated Costs
On-Campus	$79,579
Off-Campus	$61,553

The breakdowns above provide a good estimate of the total cost of attendance before financial aid and scholarships. Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

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Swarthmore College Financial Aid

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The majority of Swarthmore College undergrads use financial aid to help pay for school. In 2022, 852 of the 1,651 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Swarthmore College meets 100% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $58,439 a year. Around 26% of Swarthmore College undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Swarthmore College graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $22,356 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$16,704
Swarthmore College-Specific Loans	$1,415
Private Loans	$53,888

Most Common Loans for Swarthmore College Students
Federal Loans	24%
Institutional Loans	2%
Private loans	3%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Swarthmore College financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Swarthmore College

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2022, Swarthmore College awarded 852 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $47.8 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $2.43 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Net Cost of Swarthmore College

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Swarthmore College students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Swarthmore College was $58,439 in 2022. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Swarthmore College seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
On-Campus	$21,140
Off-Campus	$3,114

What will attending Swarthmore College really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families get a better idea of the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Swarthmore College's net cost calculator on their website.

Swarthmore College Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Swarthmore College offers an Installment Payment Plan, which allows students to pay tuition in a series of smaller chunks instead of one lump sum.

Swarthmore College Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes waiver tuition for certain groups, to make attending more affordable. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , underrepresented students, or military students. Even if you qualify for a waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

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Learn More About Swarthmore College

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