Organizer Information
Swarthmore College is a private, nonprofit liberal arts college founded in 1864 in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. The College offers undergraduate education across the humanities, arts, social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering. Relevant creative and visual fields include Art, Art History, Architectural Studies, Film & Media Studies, and Theater.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: Swarthmore College
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate
- Degrees Offered: Bachelor of Arts (BA); Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BS)
- Academic Fields: Art, Art History, Architectural Studies, Film & Media Studies, Theater, Design
- Relevant Programs: Art; Art History; Architectural Studies; Film & Media Studies; Theater; Design Your Own Major
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: Program-dependent admissions cycle
- Application Deadline: Fall Early Decision — 15 November; Winter Early Decision — 4 January; Regular Decision — 4 January; Transfer — 1 April
- Start of Studies: Fall term
- Application Fee: $60
- Tuition: $68,766 for 2025–26
- Funding: Need-based, loan-free financial aid; 100% of determined need is met for admitted students, including international students.
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
- Swarthmore offers undergraduate study in Art, Art History, Architectural Studies, Film & Media Studies, Theater, and related interdisciplinary fields. Film & Media Studies is an established major, while students may also combine fields through double majors or an individually designed major.
- The College's liberal-arts structure allows students to develop interdisciplinary academic programs across departments. Architectural Studies, for example, combines studio/design and historical study with broader College coursework.
General Eligibility
- Swarthmore admits first-year and transfer applicants to its undergraduate programs. First-year applicants may apply through the Common Application, Coalition on Scoir Application, or QuestBridge Application. Standardized test scores are currently optional, according to Swarthmore's current admissions materials.
- International applicants are eligible to apply. For international applicants, demonstrated English proficiency is expected where the applicant's education has not primarily been conducted in English; Swarthmore encourages TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test results in such circumstances.
Educational Background
First-year applicants must apply on the basis of secondary-school preparation. Transfer applicants must provide both college and secondary-school academic records. Applicants who have already completed a bachelor's degree are not eligible for transfer admission.
Language Requirements
Applicants whose education has primarily been conducted in a non-English-language curriculum are encouraged to provide results from the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test. Swarthmore does not state a universal minimum score in the verified current materials reviewed.
Application Fee
| Applicant Type | Application Fee | Waiver |
|---|---|---|
| First-year applicants | $60 | Available for applicants with demonstrated financial need |
| Transfer applicants | $60 | Available where the applicable fee-waiver policy is met |
Swarthmore's Common Data Set reports a $60 application fee and confirms that the fee can be waived for applicants with financial need. The College also provides SwatPass for students to determine whether they qualify for a waiver.
Tuition
| Academic Year | Tuition | Additional Billed/Cost Components |
|---|---|---|
| 2025–26 | $68,766 | Food $10,390; Housing $11,076; Student Activities Fee $460; Course Materials, Supplies and Equipment $785; Personal Expenses $1,695 |
The current Swarthmore Viewbook identifies these figures as the 2025–26 cost of attendance. The College also provides an $800 annual credit toward textbooks and required course materials and describes its campus as having no additional charges for items such as printing and lab fees.
Funding & Financial Support
- Swarthmore provides need-based financial aid through grants and expected student employment rather than loans. The College states that it meets 100% of each admitted student's determined financial need. International students are eligible for the same financial-aid commitment after admission, although their financial need is considered during admission review.
- For international applicants, admission is therefore not need-blind. The College may request additional financial documentation.
University Services & Academic Support
- Students have access to the Writing Center, Office of Academic Success, academic advising, faculty advising, career services, research opportunities, internships, and fellowship guidance. Swarthmore reports that 95% of the Class of 2025 participated in a research opportunity or internship during their studies.
- Film & Media Studies students can pursue production-oriented and analytical study, with alumni outcomes including film editing, producing, post-production, and documentary work.
Application Requirements
- First-year applicants use one of Swarthmore's accepted application systems and complete Swarthmore-specific short-answer questions. The College's current application guidance identifies two Swarthmore-specific questions, each limited to 250 words.
- Standardized SAT and ACT scores are optional. Applicants may also submit AP and IB results where applicable.
- International applicants educated primarily outside English-language curricula are encouraged to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test results.
- Swarthmore also accepts an optional video response as an application supplement.
- No institution-wide requirement for a portfolio, audition, or interview was verified for admission to the relevant undergraduate programs.
How to Apply?
- Application Portal
Deadline & Timeline
- Fall Early Decision: 15 November 2026
- Winter Early Decision: 4 January 2027
- Regular Decision: 4 January 2027
- Transfer Decision: 1 April 2027
The verified official materials provide these recurring deadline dates but the current accessible materials do not establish the corresponding 2026–27 cycle year with sufficient certainty to add a year without inference.
Location
Swarthmore College — Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, United States
Additional Details
- Swarthmore students normally explore different fields during their first year and declare a major during the sophomore year. The College supports double majors and individually designed majors, making interdisciplinary study particularly relevant to students combining film, art, media, humanities, and other disciplines.
- For international applicants, financial need is considered during admission review, even though admitted international students can receive aid covering 100% of determined need.