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The real 4-year cost of Swarthmore College
Over the 18 years from 2008 to 2026, published tuition and required fees at Swarthmore College went from $36,490 to $73,204, an average of 4.0% a year. The 2026–27 figure is the school's own announced rate.
2026–27 rate announced: $73,204Tuition $72,722 + student activities fee $482 (5.75% increase).source
Read with care: this school's history shows a tuition drop or reset, so a smooth projection may not hold.
2008–2030: history and projection
If you pay full sticker
Projected tuition + fees, entering fall 2026.
| Year 1 | $73,204 |
| Year 2 | $76,148 |
| Year 3 | $79,211 |
| Year 4 | $82,397 |
| 4-year total | $310,959 |
Two aid scenarios
4-year out-of-pocket total.
- $10,000/yr flat scholarship
- $270,959
- Flat aid doesn't grow, so it covers less each year.
- 50%-of-tuition scholarship
- $156,527
- Percentage aid keeps pace with tuition.
Run your own numbers
Enter your actual scholarship offer to see your real 4-year total.
See my 4-year cost at Swarthmore College