Good Neighbors

The College and the Borough of Swarthmore — affectionately known as “the ‘Ville” — have long enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship. The campus community takes advantage of the close proximity to local restaurants, shops, and other merchants, and the College brings to the area world-class academic lectures, performances, athletic competitions, and other events throughout the year that are free and open to the public.

The College also infuses millions of dollars into the local economy each year, either directly or indirectly. In fiscal year 2026, that figure will total more than $4.2 million. That includes more than $1.3 million in annual local taxes, as well as annual contributions to support services such as police, fire, and other emergency services that the College relies on.

Town Center West, which comprises the Inn at Swarthmore, Broadtable Tavern, and the Campus & Community Bookstore, is another source of economic activity in the Borough. It has led to more than 50 new jobs since the College completed the project in 2016, and it generates approximately $2.5 million in spending and more than $600,000 in in payroll and property taxes each year. 

The College has also expanded the use of its OneCard ID in the borough. Each year, students spend more than $1 million using their OneCard in the Ville, helping support numerous businesses in the community.   

In addition, this year the College helped the Borough fill a significant budget gap through a one-time contribution of more than $630,000. The money will help address a budget shortfall, driven in part by increased costs for providing Advanced Life Support emergency services following the recent closure of Crozer Hospital. The agreement helped avoid a proposed earned income tax in the Borough, which would have had an adverse impact on the vast majority of Swarthmore College employees, as well as others living and working in the Borough.

Partnering With Chester

Swarthmore’s regional impact also includes deep, mission-driven engagement with the nearby city of Chester. While the College’s financial contributions to the Borough of Swarthmore largely reflect its reliance on local services, such as police, fire, and emergency response, its work in Chester is rooted in longstanding commitments to education, equity, and community partnership.

Much of this work is coordinated through the Lang Center for Civic and Social Responsibility. Last year, the Lang Center helped facilitate nearly 133 student volunteers who participated in community-based engaged scholarship projects in Chester, contributing a combined 7,280 hours of service to local nonprofits and initiatives. Their work helps expand the capacity of partner organizations and supports programs that directly benefit residents there.

In addition, the Lang Center funds grants to student and faculty groups for initiatives designed specifically to benefit the Chester community and to compensate local nonprofits that host classes or community-engaged learning experiences. Like the Borough of Swarthmore, several Chester businesses participate in Swarthmore’s OneCard program as well, enabling students to use their meal plans and campus cards at local establishments.

Swarthmore’s support extends to local education efforts. As part of the College’s effort to secure Living Building Challenge certification for the recently reopened Martin Hall, Swarthmore is finalizing an agreement to provide about $50,000 to the Chester Education Foundation to support workforce development programs. In addition, the Chester Children’s Chorus — a longstanding program based at the College — offers year-round music and math education for Chester students ages 7 to 18, supported by College staff, facilities, and volunteers.

Altogether, these efforts represent nearly $500,000 in direct financial support and equivalent services dedicated to Chester-based organizations and initiatives.

A Shared Mission Across Pennsylvania 

AICUP, the state’s only membership organization dedicated solely to independent, nonprofit higher education, commissioned the study to capture the collective economic impact of its members.

By measuring not just direct operations and payroll, but also the indirect effects of spending and the “induced” effects of household income, the analysis offers a fuller picture of how institutions like Swarthmore sustain their regions.

“These numbers illustrate the breadth of Swarthmore’s contribution — not only to education and research, but to the daily economic vitality of Pennsylvania,” Parker adds.