Amherst vs Swarthmore
Side by side: Mass and confession times, faith grades, academics, cost after aid and outcomes.
Amherst CollegeAmherst, MACatholic life on campusCCatholic life: Mixed (grade C): 55 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.Swarthmore CollegeSwarthmore, PACatholic life on campus
At a glance
- For families earning up to $30,000, Amherst has the lower price after aid: $1,086 a year, against $7,690 at Swarthmore.
- Median debt is lower at Amherst: $13,740, against $17,500 at Swarthmore.
Catholic life
Faith or Catholic life grade
CCatholic life: Mixed (grade C): 55 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
Compass Score
BCompass Score: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
Campus ministry
2 listed
1 listed
The college
Control
Private nonprofit
Private nonprofit
Location
Amherst, MA
Swarthmore, PA
Setting
City
Suburb
Students
1,910
1,644
Academics
Academic Excellence grade
AAcademic Excellence: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
AAcademic Excellence: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
Admission rate
9%
7%
Average SAT
1533
1534
ACT middle 50%
33–35
33–35
Graduation rate
94%
92%
First-year retention
97%
94%
Cost and outcomes
Average net price a year
$23,367
$23,149
Net price, up to $30,000 income
$1,086
$7,690
Net price, $30,001–$48,000 income
$1,570
$4,951
Net price, $48,001–$75,000 income
$17,478
$11,444
Net price, $75,001–$110,000 income
$23,639
$22,443
Net price, over $110,000 income
$47,521
$47,544
Median debt
$13,740
$17,500
Median earnings 10 years after entry
$77,644
$80,257
The grades and the Compass Score are Catholic School Compass ratings from documented sources; each college’s page lists its sources. Cost, admission, graduation, earnings and debt are federal data. This page does not rank the two colleges.