Hampshire College vs Swarthmore
Hampshire College and Swarthmore College, both esteemed liberal arts institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Hampshire, known for its innovative approach to learning, boasts a 44% acceptance rate, while Swarthmore, renowned for its rigorous academics, has a highly selective 11% acceptance rate. Hampshire's student body is diverse, with 44% identifying as students of color, compared to Swarthmore's 40%. Both colleges excel in graduation rates, with Hampshire at 83% and Swarthmore at 92%. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into further details on popular majors, financial aid, and other key factors, helping you make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Hampshire College |
![]() Swarthmore College |
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Overview |
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Location | Amherst, Massachusetts | Swarthmore, Pennsylvania |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | Suburb: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate | Undergraduate |
Students retention rate | 72.0% | 95.0% |
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Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 75.1% | 7.8% |
Application fees | $60 | |
SAT range | N/A | 1430 - 1560 |
ACT range | N/A | 33 - 35 |
Students submitting SAT score | 39.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 21.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 1,340 | 13,012 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,007 | 1,013 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 133 | 454 |
Yield rate | 13.2% | 44.8% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $66,658 | $75,793 |
Average net price | $30,168 | $19,733 |
Tuition | $51,000 | $55,856 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$8,520
Meal plan:
$5,912
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Room/dormitory:
$8,796
Meal plan:
$8,354
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $36,653 |
76.0%
Average amount $40,072 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
64.0%
Average amount $4,793 |
6.0%
Average amount $5,191 |
Students taking out private loans |
1.0%
Average amount $8,793 |
1.0%
Average amount $30,543 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
472
Men 38.1% Women 61.9% |
1,651
Men 49.7% Women 50.3% |
Graduate students | N/A | N/A |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 89.9% |
International students | 6.4% | 15.4% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 1,180 | 1,605 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | Yes |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | New York California Pennsylvania New Jersey Texas |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 11:1 | 8:1 |
Institutional accreditation | New England Commission on Higher Education | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 62.4% | 94.1% |
Dropout rate | 37.3% | 5.7% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
Education, Other (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
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