Swarthmore vs Notre Dame
Swarthmore College and the University of Notre Dame stand as two distinct beacons of higher education, each offering a unique blend of academic excellence and vibrant campus life. Swarthmore, a liberal arts college nestled in Pennsylvania, boasts a highly selective admissions process with an acceptance rate of 8.5%, while Notre Dame, a renowned Catholic research university in Indiana, welcomes a broader applicant pool with an acceptance rate of 18.6%. While both institutions share a commitment to academic rigor, their student bodies diverge in terms of demographics: Swarthmore's undergraduate population is predominantly female (56%) and ethnically diverse (44% students of color), while Notre Dame's student body leans male (53%) and predominantly white (73%). Explore the detailed comparison table below to delve into further distinctions between these esteemed institutions, encompassing popular majors, graduation rates, and other key factors, to help you discern the ideal fit for your academic aspirations and personal growth.
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![]() Swarthmore College |
![]() University of Notre Dame |
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Overview |
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Location | Swarthmore, Pennsylvania | Notre Dame, Indiana |
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 and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 95.0% | 98.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Catholic | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 7.8% | 15.1% |
Application fees | $60 |
Undergraduate:
$75
Graduate:
$75
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SAT range | 1430 - 1560 | 1410 - 1550 |
ACT range | 33 - 35 | 32 - 35 |
Students submitting SAT score | 39.0% | 33.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 21.0% | 36.0% |
Total number of applicants | 13,012 | 23,642 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,013 | 3,562 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 454 | 2,059 |
Yield rate | 44.8% | 57.8% |
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) | Not required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $75,793 | $78,347 |
Average net price | $19,733 | $30,513 |
Tuition | $55,856 | $58,336 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$8,796
Meal plan:
$8,354
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$16,304 |
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
76.0%
Average amount $40,072 |
57.0%
Average amount $46,306 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
6.0%
Average amount $5,191 |
30.0%
Average amount $4,134 |
Students taking out private loans |
1.0%
Average amount $30,543 |
12.0%
Average amount $8,564 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,651
Men 49.7% Women 50.3% |
8,973
Men 51.6% Women 48.4% |
Graduate students | N/A |
4,166
Men 56.5% Women 43.5% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Low
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Out-of-state students | 89.9% | 93.1% |
International students | 15.4% | 12.1% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 1,605 | 6,919 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | Yes | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | New York California Pennsylvania New Jersey Texas | Illinois California Texas Indiana New York |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 8:1 | 9:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 94.1% | 95.9% |
Dropout rate | 5.7% | 3.9% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
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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Business Administration, Management and Operations (First Professional Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (First Professional Degrees)
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (First Professional Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mathematics and Statistics, Other (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
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