Tuition, Books, Housing & Food Plan, Activities Fee

Bell Tower

Swarthmore awarded more than $65 million in need-based scholarship aid to 56% of our students for the 2025-26 academic year.  Financial aid awards ranged from $1,000 to the full cost of attendance. In fact, the average aid decision for 2024-25 was $74,992.The maximum financial aid decision includes the College's total billed charges as well as allowances for books, personal expenses, and travel between a student's home and Swarthmore. 

College Billed Charges for the 2025-2026 Academic Year

  • Tuition and Books — $68,766

  • Housing* — $11,076

  • Food* — $10,390

  • Student Activities Fee* — $460

  • Total Billed Charges  — $90,692

    * The billed costs of housing and food are the same for all meal plans and residence halls/room types. The student activities fee is a comprehensive fee that covers all student clubs, activities, and campus events.

Non-billed charges

Non-billed charges are expenses that aren't listed on your College bill, like personal expenses, travel, and supplies. When we calculate your financial aid, we include these costs to get a full picture of your financial need. That means your aid can help cover more than just tuition, fees, textbooks, housing, and meals.

  • Course materials, supplies and equipment  —$785

  • Transportation — Varies 

  • Personal Expenses — $1,695

  • Student Health Insurance* — Varies 

  • Total cost of attendance  — $93,172

Please visit our Student Accounts Office website for information on previous years’ tuition and fees. To estimate your expected cost of attendance, use the Net Price Calculator. 

*Students who have no medical insurance or insurance that does not meet the minimum requirements of the college, are eligible for the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP).  Financially aided students may be eligible to receive a discount on the cost of Swarthmore College’s annual health insurance premium based on the level of need-based Swarthmore financial aid that the student receives.  The discount ranges from 25 - 100% of the cost of the annual health insurance premium. 

Estimated Future Costs

Per the 2024 PA Act 69, Institutions of Higher Education in Pennsylvania are required to provide you with the estimated cost of tuition and fees for the next three years. Below is
an estimate of tuition and fees for the next three academic years. Please note these amounts are estimates only and may be subject to change. 

2026-27 Academic Year Estimate 

  • Tuition — $72,204
  • Housing — $11,630
  • Food — $10,910
  • Student Activities Fee — $483
  • Total estimated billed costs — $95,227

2027-28 Academic Year Estimate 

  • Tuition — $75,815
  • Housing — $12,211
  • Food — $11,455
  • Student Activities Fee — $507
  • Total estimated billed costs — $99,988

2028-29 Academic Year Estimate 

  • Tuition — $79,605
  • Housing — $12,822
  • Food — $12,028
  • Student Activities Fee — $533
  • Total estimated billed costs — $104,988