Students at Swarthmore College achieve exceptional long-term earnings that consistently exceed expectations, ranking in the top 10% nationally for post-graduation financial outcomes.
The college's combination of rigorous academics and prestigious alumni networks creates pathways to high-earning careers across diverse fields.
Swarthmore College delivers exceptional long-term value despite its highly selective admissions and premium pricing structure. This small liberal arts college in Pennsylvania consistently produces graduates who earn significantly more than peers at similar institutions, with median 10-year earnings of $80,257 that place it in the 92nd percentile nationally. What makes Swarthmore distinctive is how it combines intimate academic settings with outcomes typically seen at large research universities.
The college's strength lies in its ability to prepare students for high-earning careers across diverse fields. Nearly 95% of students graduate within six years, and those who do go on to earn substantially more than expected compared with graduates from peer institutions. Swarthmore's small size means every student receives intensive faculty attention, while its academic rigor and alumni network open doors to competitive graduate programs and elite employers.
For families who can afford the investment or qualify for generous financial aid, Swarthmore represents one of the strongest return-on-investment options in American higher education. The college's combination of academic excellence, small-scale learning environment, and exceptional post-graduation outcomes makes it a compelling choice for students seeking both intellectual challenge and long-term financial success.
Swarthmore's academic strength centers on quantitative and analytical fields that lead directly to high-earning careers. Applied Economics represents the college's largest high-return program, graduating 84 students who earn a median of $81,702 ten years out, combining substantial enrollment with strong financial outcomes. The program's success reflects Swarthmore's particular strength in preparing students for careers in finance, consulting, and policy analysis.
Computer science and mathematics programs deliver even stronger individual earnings despite smaller cohorts. Artificial Intelligence graduates, with 65 students, achieve median earnings of $94,408, while Mathematics majors reach exceptional outcomes of $125,015 from a focused group of 35 graduates. These programs benefit from Swarthmore's intensive academic environment and close faculty mentorship, preparing students for competitive positions in technology, finance, and research.
The college's small scale allows for exceptional depth in key programs rather than broad coverage across all fields. This focused approach, combined with rigorous academic standards and prestigious alumni networks, helps explain why Swarthmore graduates consistently achieve earnings that exceed expectations across diverse career paths. Students benefit from intimate class sizes, intensive faculty attention, and access to research opportunities typically reserved for graduate students at larger institutions.
Swarthmore College graduates achieve exceptional long-term earnings that consistently outperform national expectations. With median 10-year earnings of $80,257, graduates earn significantly more than peers at comparable institutions, reflecting the college's ability to prepare students for high-value careers. The earnings advantage extends across multiple fields, with graduates earning about $3,438 more annually than similar students elsewhere, demonstrating Swarthmore's consistent ability to deliver earnings beyond expectations.
The college's strongest financial outcomes come from its economics, computer science, and mathematics programs. Applied Economics graduates, representing the largest high-return cohort with 84 students, earn a median of $81,702 ten years out. Artificial Intelligence majors, with 65 graduates, achieve even stronger outcomes at $94,408, while Mathematics graduates reach exceptional earnings of $125,015, though from a smaller cohort of 35 students. These programs reflect Swarthmore's particular strength in quantitative fields that lead directly to high-paying careers in finance, technology, consulting, and research.
The college's small size and intensive academic environment contribute to these strong outcomes. Students receive exceptional preparation for competitive graduate programs and elite employers, with many graduates moving into high-mobility careers that continue to appreciate over time. The combination of rigorous academics, close faculty mentorship, and prestigious alumni networks helps explain why Swarthmore graduates consistently exceed earnings expectations across diverse career paths.
Swarthmore College operates on a high-sticker, high-aid model that creates dramatically different affordability experiences across income levels. Low-income families pay an average net price of just $8,580 annually, while middle-income families see similar costs at $8,292, reflecting the college's generous need-based financial aid program. However, high-income families face substantial costs of $47,429 per year, representing the full weight of Swarthmore's premium pricing structure.
The college's financial aid approach prioritizes access for lower-income students while expecting higher-income families to pay closer to full costs. This creates a bifurcated affordability landscape where aid eligibility makes an enormous difference in family financial planning. For families who qualify for need-based aid, Swarthmore becomes remarkably affordable given the quality of education and long-term outcomes. For those who don't qualify, the investment requires careful consideration of family resources and long-term financial goals.
Despite higher upfront costs for some families, Swarthmore's strong earnings outcomes help justify the investment for many students. The combination of generous aid for lower-income students and exceptional post-graduation earning potential creates a value proposition that works across different family financial situations, though the path to affordability varies significantly based on demonstrated financial need.
Swarthmore College Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
