Location: Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
‍Established: 1864
‍Enrollment: ~1,700
‍Admit Rate: 7.5% (Class of 2028)
‍Yield Rate: 45%
‍Endowment: $3.0 Billion
Academic Calendar: Semester
‍School Colors: Garnet and Grey, #9F2042
‍School Mascot: Phineas the Phoenix
‍Undergraduate Tuition and Fees: $63,070 USD (2024–25 Tuition)
‍Typical SAT Scores: Reading and Writing 730–780, Math 750–800
‍Motto: Minde the Light
‍Notable: Member of the Tri-College Consortium (with Haverford and Bryn Mawr); famous for its rigorous Honors Program.

An intellectual pressure cooker known for its "matchbox" intensity.

‍1. Quick Facts Snapshot
• Location: Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
• Founded: 1864
• Enrollment: ~1,700
• Admit rate: 7.5% (Class of 2028)
• Yield rate: 45%
• Endowment: ~$2.7–2.8 Billion

‍2. Why This School Fits the Little Ivy Profile
• Swarthmore is often seen as the most intellectually challenging college in America. It matches the Little Ivy profile by being small, very wealthy, and producing PhDs at a rate that rivals, and often surpasses, Harvard and Yale.
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‍3. Selectivity & Admissions
• Approx admit rate: 7.5%
• Selectivity trend: Extremely selective; arguably the hardest liberal arts college to get into alongside Pomona and Williams.
• SAT/ACT ranges: SAT 1480–1560
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‍4. Academic Strengths
• Signature programs: Engineering (General); Political Science; Biology.
• Faculty ratio: 8:1
• Key differentiator: The Honors Program. A unique system where students take double-credit seminars for their last two years and are examined by outside experts from other universities.

‍5. Outcomes
• Salary or placement overview: Among the very top U.S. institutions in per-capita PhD production in many fields.
• Alumni influence: Massive in academia and science.
• Where grads typically go: Top graduate schools, research labs, and tech firms.

‍6. Campus Culture
• Traditions: Pterodactyl Hunt. A chaotic, costume-filled event where students "hunt" monsters on campus.
• Social environment: Intense and quirky; students bond over "misery loves company" regarding the workload. No Greek life.Notable athletics or arts strengths: The campus is a designated arboretum; the Scott Amphitheater is a stunning outdoor venue.

‍7. How It Compares
• [Swarthmore vs. Williams vs. Amherst: The Top Tier]
• [Swarthmore vs. Haverford: Quaker Cousins]

‍8. FAQs
• Is the workload really that hard?
Yes, "Swat" is famous for its rigor; students often say, "Anywhere else would have been an A."
• Does it have engineering?
Yes, a rare general engineering degree at a liberal arts college.
• What is the "Quaker Matchbox"?
A nickname referencing the college's Quaker roots and the high number of students who marry each other.