Head-to-head comparison
Colby College vs. Swarthmore College
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Colby or Swarthmore harder to get into?
Colby is harder to get into than Swarthmore. Colby's 7.1% acceptance rate is lower than Swarthmore's 7.5%.
Which is cheaper, Colby or Swarthmore?
Colby costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Colby's average net price is $17,180 vs $23,149 at Swarthmore.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
Colby graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $80,490 at Colby and $80,257 at Swarthmore.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Colby | Swarthmore |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 7.1% | 7.5% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1460–1550 | 1490–1560 |
| ACT mid-50% | 32–34 | 33–35 |
| Cost of attendance | $85,420 | $84,103 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $17,180 | $23,149 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 2,407 | 1,613 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 88.8% | 92.3% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $80,490 | $80,257 |
| Setting | Waterville, Maine | Swarthmore, Pennsylvania |
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS) and school-published admit cycle data. Last verified May 2026.
The Real Differences
Selectivity is essentially the same. Colby's 7.1% acceptance rate and Swarthmore's 7.5% are within a percentage point of each other. For an unhooked applicant, the difference is statistical noise. Apply to whichever you genuinely prefer.
Colby is significantly cheaper after aid. The average net price gap is $5,969 per year, $23,876 over four years. For most families that difference is the deciding factor when both schools admit you.
Geographic difference matters more than the campus tour suggests. Colby is in Waterville, Maine; Swarthmore is in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. Climate, cost-of-living, and proximity to job markets in your target field shape the four-year experience and post-grad pipeline more than most prospective students realize.
Student Body Composition
The two schools have different student body compositions. Colby is 51.2% women, 11.2% international, and 10.2% Asian-American. Swarthmore is 52.1% women, 13.4% international, and 16.6% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Colby | Swarthmore |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 51.2% | 52.1% |
| International | 11.2% | 13.4% |
| White | 54.9% | 30.3% |
| Asian | 10.2% | 16.6% |
| Hispanic | 8.4% | 15.5% |
| Black | 4.8% | 9.5% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Colby vs. Swarthmore?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick Colby if
- Net price matters: Colby costs $5,969 less per year on average
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($80,490 vs $80,257)
- Jan Plan month-long term
Pick Swarthmore if
- Your odds are realistic at Swarthmore (slightly easier admit)
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- the Honors program modeled on Oxford tutorials
Headline numbers favor one school or the other on each axis, but neither is unambiguously “better.” The right answer depends on your major fit, geographic preference, financial need, and personal odds at each. Most applicants who get into one of these schools also get into the other.
Full School Pages
For complete admissions data, supplemental essay strategy, and class profile breakdowns:
Full profile
Colby College
7.1% accept · Waterville, Maine
Full profile
Swarthmore College
7.5% accept · Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
Sources
- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard for acceptance rates, test ranges, financial aid, demographics, completion, and earnings.
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) for the underlying federal data.
- Each school's most recent published Common Data Set for cycle-specific admissions stats.
Last verified May 2026. Stats reflect each school's most recent publicly published admit cycle.