Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, United States • Founded 1864 • World Rank #2783
Overview
Established in 1864, the Swarthmore College is a non-profit private liberal arts higher education institution located in the suburban setting of the medium town of Swarthmore (population range of 2,500-9,999 inhabitants), Pennsylvania.
Officially accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, Swarthmore College (Swat) is a very small-sized coeducational US higher education institution. Swarthmore College (Swat) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study.
This 160-year-old US higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on students' past academic records and grades. The acceptance rate range is 0-9% making this US higher education organization an extremely selective institution.
International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment.
Swat also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, as well as administrative services.
Location & Contact
Swarthmore College's street address and primary contact methods. Social channels often differentiate by purpose — admissions on one, alumni on another, events on a third.
Academic Details
Academic statistics for Swarthmore College — including its student body and academic staff numbers. Read these alongside rankings; institution scale changes how rankings should be interpreted.
Programs Offered
Below are Swarthmore College's active programmes grouped by degree level, with search. Use the filter to narrow by keyword and the level groupings to compare options at the same qualification tier.
Bachelor's Degree
69 programmes
Swarthmore College lists 69 programmes that award a bachelor's degree — the foundational tier where students establish a discipline before narrowing their focus later.
Physical Sciences, Other Natural Sciences
Archeology Social & Cultural Studies
Anthropology Social & Cultural Studies
Social Sciences, General Social & Cultural Studies
Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other Public Administration
Public Policy Analysis Public Administration
Psychology, Other Psychology
Research and Experimental Psychology Psychology
Psychology, General Psychology
Criminology Social & Cultural Studies
Physics Physics & Astronomy
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences Earth Sciences & Geology
Chemistry Chemistry
Astronomy and Astrophysics Physics & Astronomy
Philosophy and Religious Studies, Other Philosophy & Ethics
Religion/Religious Studies Philosophy & Ethics
Philosophy Philosophy & Ethics
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other Liberal Arts
Dance Performing Arts
History History
Public Health Public Health
Visual and Performing Arts, Other Visual Arts
Music Music
Fine and Studio Arts Visual Arts
Film/Video and Photographic Arts Film & Animation
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft Performing Arts
Design and Applied Arts Applied Design
Sustainability Studies Liberal Arts
Social Sciences, Other Social & Cultural Studies
Sociology and Anthropology Social & Cultural Studies
Urban Studies/Affairs Urban Planning
Sociology Social & Cultural Studies
Political Science and Government Politics & International Relations
International Relations and National Security Studies Politics & International Relations
Economics Economics
Engineering, General General Engineering
English Language and Literature/Letters, Other English Language Studies
Literature English Language Studies
English Language and Literature, General English Language Studies
Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Linguistics & Language Studies
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Linguistics & Language Studies
Slavic, Baltic and Albanian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Linguistics & Language Studies
East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Linguistics & Language Studies
Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services Linguistics & Language Studies
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Liberal Arts
Education, Other Education & Teaching
Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education Education & Teaching
Education, General Education & Teaching
Computer and Information Sciences, General Computer Sciences
Communication and Media Studies Communication Studies
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies Social & Cultural Studies
Area Studies Social & Cultural Studies
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General Liberal Arts
Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis Liberal Arts
Cognitive Science Liberal Arts
Classical and Ancient Studies Liberal Arts
International/Globalization Studies Liberal Arts
Medieval and Renaissance Studies Liberal Arts
Mathematics and Computer Science Liberal Arts
Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution Liberal Arts
Biological and Physical Sciences Liberal Arts
Natural Resources Conservation and Research Forestry & Natural Resources
Applied Mathematics Mathematics
Mathematics Mathematics
Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other Biological Sciences
Neurobiology and Neurosciences Neuroscience
Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology Biological Sciences
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology Biochemistry
Biology, General Biological Sciences
No programmes match your filter in this level.
How to apply to Swarthmore College
The standard application path for Swarthmore College, broken into five practical steps with the documents and channels you will need at each stage.
- 1 Identify the right programme
Start by exploring the programmes section on this page. Swarthmore College runs 69 active programmes across multiple degree levels. Narrow by qualification tier and read each programme description before shortlisting.
- 2 Check entry requirements
Before applying to Swarthmore College, confirm you meet the academic, language, and document requirements for your chosen programme. International applicants should also check visa eligibility for United States.
- 3 Prepare your application documents
Standard documents: official transcripts, identity proof, language test results, personal statement, and references. Confirm exact requirements with Swarthmore College's admissions office before assembling, as expectations vary by programme.
- 4 Submit via the institution
Lodge your application through the official website (www.swarthmore.edu). Online forms are the standard route. Save your draft frequently and submit before the programme deadline.
- 5 Get in touch with admissions
Verify your application has been received by the admissions team. Reach the institution by phone at +1 (610) 328 8000. Monitor the portal for status updates, interview invitations, or document requests, and respond within the stated deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions about Swarthmore College
Short Q&A on the institutional facts that matter most when shortlisting Swarthmore College as a study destination.
How old is Swarthmore College?
The institution opened in 1864 (approximately 162 years ago).
What city is Swarthmore College in?
Swarthmore College operates from Swarthmore, United States.
Is Swarthmore College public or private?
It is a private higher-education institution.
How big is Swarthmore College's student body?
Swarthmore College serves approximately 1,000-1,999 students.
How is Swarthmore College ranked?
Swarthmore College is ranked #2783 globally and #323 in United States.
Is Swarthmore College accredited?
Swarthmore College is accredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
How do I find Swarthmore College online?
You can find Swarthmore College online at www.swarthmore.edu.
Top-Ranked Universities in the United States
Below are the highest-ranked universities in the United States — natural comparison points for Swarthmore College. Top institutions in the United States typically have the strongest international recognition and graduate-school placement.
Members of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)
Membership in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) signals a shared commitment to academic quality and cross-institutional exchange. These other members of the same network sit alongside Swarthmore College in that ecosystem, and may offer mobility benefits or programme partnerships.
Faculties at Nearby Universities
Regional language considerations matter when comparing universities near Swarthmore College. Bilingual or minority-language regions may shape teaching, signage, and daily life consistently across the cluster.
Where Else to Study Liberal Arts
Cohort intake size shapes class culture meaningfully in Liberal Arts. Some the United States institutions accept a few dozen, others hundreds — the difference affects peer-learning depth and faculty access.
Universities Often Compared with Swarthmore College
Peer cohort diversity — gender, nationality, socioeconomic background — varies more than rankings might suggest. Diversity affects classroom dynamics and post-grad networks.
