Amherst vs Swarthmore Introduction
Choosing the right college is an important yet difficult decision for any student. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive comparison between two prestigious liberal arts colleges: Amherst College and Swarthmore College. We will discuss various aspects of these schools, including their costs, admissions process, degree offerings, academic programs, diversity, campus life, and overall outcomes.
Amherst Overview
Amherst College, located in Amherst, Massachusetts, is a prestigious liberal arts college with a strong emphasis on undergraduate education. Founded in 1821, the college has a long history of providing a rigorous academic experience for its students. With a small student population of around 1,800 students and a low student-to-faculty ratio, Amherst offers a personalized education experience.
Amherst Costs & Tuition
Amherst College is committed to making its education accessible to students from all financial backgrounds. The college offers need-based financial aid and meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students. The total cost of attendance at Amherst, including tuition, fees, room and board, is approximately $78,000 for the 2021-2022 academic year. However, the average financial aid package for students receiving aid is over $56,000, significantly reducing the cost for those who qualify.
Amherst Admissions
Amherst College is highly selective, with an acceptance rate of around 13%. The admissions process at Amherst emphasizes academic achievement, extracurricular activities, and personal qualities of the applicants. The college accepts both the Common Application and the Coalition Application. Amherst also offers optional interviews for prospective students and is test-optional for the SAT/ACT.
Amherst Degrees Offered
Amherst College offers over 40 majors in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Some popular majors at Amherst include Economics, English, Political Science, and Biology. Additionally, Amherst students can choose to create their own interdisciplinary major by combining courses from different departments.
Amherst Academics
Amherst College is known for its strong academics and commitment to undergraduate education. Students benefit from small class sizes, close interaction with faculty, and a flexible curriculum that allows them to explore a wide range of subjects. The college also offers a variety of research opportunities, internships, and study abroad programs to enrich the educational experience.
Amherst Diversity
Amherst is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion on its campus. The college has a diverse student body, with around 45% of students identifying as people of color and approximately 10% being international students. Additionally, about 60% of Amherst students receive need-based financial aid, creating a socioeconomically diverse community.
Amherst Students
Amherst students are known for being academically driven, intellectually curious, and actively engaged in campus life. With over 150 student clubs and organizations, students can find a variety of opportunities to pursue their interests, develop leadership skills, and make lasting friendships.
Amherst Campus
The Amherst College campus is situated on 1,000 acres of scenic New England countryside. The campus features a mix of historic and modern architecture, state-of-the-art facilities, and abundant green spaces for students to enjoy.
Amherst Alumni
Amherst College has a strong alumni network, with over 23,000 alumni worldwide. Notable Amherst alumni include politicians, CEOs, authors, and academics, such as Calvin Coolidge, David Foster Wallace, and Jeffrey Wright.
Amherst Rankings
Amherst College consistently ranks among the top liberal arts colleges in the United States. In the U.S. News & World Report’s 2022 rankings, Amherst is ranked #2 among National Liberal Arts Colleges.
Amherst Outcomes
Amherst graduates have a strong record of success in various fields. According to the college’s data, 94% of graduates from the class of 2020 were employed, enrolled in graduate school, or engaged in other meaningful activities within six months of graduation.
Swarthmore Overview
Swarthmore College is a highly respected liberal arts college located in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, just outside of Philadelphia. Founded in 1864, Swarthmore is known for its rigorous academics, commitment to social responsibility, and beautiful campus. The college has a small enrollment of approximately 1,600 students and offers a low student-to-faculty ratio, ensuring personalized attention and a close-knit community.
Swarthmore Costs & Tuition
Like Amherst, Swarthmore is committed to making its education accessible to students from all financial backgrounds. The college offers need-based financial aid and meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students. The total cost of attendance at Swarthmore, including tuition, fees, room and board, is approximately $76,000 for the 2021-2022 academic year. The average financial aid package for students receiving aid is over $49,000, reducing the cost for those who qualify.
Swarthmore Admissions
Swarthmore is also highly selective, with an acceptance rate of around 9%. The college’s admissions process emphasizes academic achievement, extracurricular activities, and personal qualities of the applicants. Swarthmore accepts both the Common Application and the Coalition Application and is test-optional for the SAT/ACT.
Swarthmore Degrees Offered
Swarthmore offers over 40 majors and minors in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Popular majors at Swarthmore include Economics, Political Science, Biology, and Engineering. Students at Swarthmore can also design their own major by working closely with faculty advisors.
Swarthmore Academics
Swarthmore is known for its challenging academics and commitment to undergraduate education. The college offers small class sizes, close interaction with faculty, and a diverse curriculum that encourages exploration and intellectual growth. Swarthmore also provides research opportunities, internships, and study abroad programs to enhance the educational experience.
Swarthmore Diversity
Swarthmore is dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive campus community. Approximately 46% of Swarthmore students identify as people of color, and around 14% are international students. Additionally, about 55% of Swarthmore students receive need-based financial aid, contributing to a socioeconomically diverse student body.
Swarthmore Students
Swarthmore students are known for being intellectually engaged, motivated, and socially conscious. With over 100 student clubs and organizations, there are ample opportunities for students to pursue their interests, develop leadership skills, and form lasting friendships.
Swarthmore Campus
Swarthmore’s campus is situated on 425 acres of picturesque Pennsylvania countryside and includes the Scott Arboretum. The campus offers a mix of historic and modern architecture, state-of-the-art facilities, and beautiful outdoor spaces for students to enjoy.
Swarthmore Alumni
Swarthmore has a strong alumni network, with more than 22,000 alumni worldwide. Notable Swarthmore alumni include politicians, CEOs, authors, and academics, such as Nancy Roman, Robert Zoellick, and Peter Schickele.
Swarthmore Rankings
Swarthmore College also consistently ranks among the top liberal arts colleges in the United States. In the U.S. News & World Report’s 2022 rankings, Swarthmore is ranked #3 among National Liberal Arts Colleges.
Swarthmore Outcomes
Swarthmore graduates enjoy success in various fields. According to the college’s data, 93% of graduates from the class of 2020 were employed, enrolled in graduate school, or engaged in other meaningful activities within six months of graduation.
Amherst vs Swarthmore Cost Comparison
Both Amherst and Swarthmore are committed to making their education accessible to students from all financial backgrounds. The total cost of attendance for the 2021-2022 academic year is similar for both schools, with Amherst at around $78,000 and Swarthmore at around $76,000. However, the average financial aid package for students receiving aid is slightly higher at Amherst, at over $56,000 compared to Swarthmore’s $49,000. Both colleges meet 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students.
Amherst vs Swarthmore Admissions Difficulty
Amherst and Swarthmore are both highly selective liberal arts colleges, with acceptance rates of around 13% and 9%, respectively. Both schools have a holistic admissions process that takes into account applicants’ academic achievement, extracurricular activities, and personal qualities. Both colleges also accept the Common Application and the Coalition Application and are test-optional for the SAT/ACT.
Amherst vs Swarthmore Academic Difficulty
The academic environments at Amherst and Swarthmore are both rigorous and challenging, with a focus on undergraduate education. Both schools offer small class sizes, close interaction with faculty, and flexible curricula that allow students to explore a wide range of subjects. Students at both colleges have access to research opportunities, internships, and study abroad programs.
Amherst vs Swarthmore Outcome Comparison
Graduates of both Amherst and Swarthmore have strong records of success in various fields. According to each college’s data, 94% of Amherst graduates and 93% of Swarthmore graduates from the class of 2020 were employed, enrolled in graduate school, or engaged in other meaningful activities within six months of graduation. The alumni networks of both schools are extensive and include notable figures in politics, business, arts, and academia.
