History
Swarthmore College was created out of a concern of the liberal Hicksite branch oSociety of Friends (Quakers) to establish a place "under the care of Friends, at wteducation may be obtained equal to that of the best institutions of learning in OLIIcountry." The yearly meetings of Baltimore, Philadelphia.
Education
With a curriculum unmatched among liberal arts colleges of its size, Swarthmore offers more than 600 courses and undergraduate research opportunities—from the humanities and performing arts to the social and natural sciences and engineering.
Research
Incredibly rewarding, engaging undergraduate students in research is often like “having several pairs of hands in the lab and helps to increase research productivity,” says Assistant Professor of Bioanalytical Chemistry Kathryn Riley ’10.
Career
One-on-one career counseling appointments are available to current students and alumni who are: seeking direction, considering majors, exploring internships, job searching or applying for graduate school.
University Ranking
QS World University Rankings by TopUniversities
2025
851 -110
2024
741 -240
2023
501
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
Academic Ranking of World Universities by Shanghai Jiao Tong University
2024
-
2023
901 -200
2022
701
ARWU World University rankings is the first world university ranking. It ranks the world's top 1000 colleges and universities based on objective indicator. They look at the number of award-winning (Fields Medals and Nobel Prize) scientists who are located there, how much of their research is cited and referenced around the world, and how much they've contributed to different academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, ARWU ranks the universities accordingly.
Student services
From the moment you arrive on campus to the day you receive your diploma (and beyond), Swarthmore offers a holistic range of services to help you get the most from your experience and embark on a life of purpose.
Housing services
Sharing conversations in a cozy eight-person house or a lively 200-person dorm, over organic and locally grown food in the dining hall or over a hot beverage in one of several campus coffee bars, living on campus is a central part of the Swarthmore experience.
Library services
The Libraries are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible experience for all users.
Campus life
Swarthmore College is well situated in the suburbs of Philadelphia and off-campus opportunities are endless. Whether you want to volunteer in Chester, take music lessons in the city, or explore King of Prussia, one of the largest shopping malls in the United States, our shuttle system is there for the times you need to venture a further bit afield.
Accreditation
Swarthmore College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), 1007 North Orange Street, 4th Floor, MB #166, Wilmington, DE 19801, 267-284-5011.