Just eleven miles from the city of Philadelphia, Swarthmore has plenty to offer the students. The city itself is full of culture, history, museums, learning opportunities, and delicious food, including the Philly Cheesesteak. Nearby are also hiking trails, creeks, and wooded hills.

On campus, students have the choice of hundreds of organizations, ranging from two Greek fraternities to newspapers, including The Phoenix, Nacht, Scarlet Letters, Small Craft Warnings, and more. Other popular groups include the Amos J. Peaslee Debate Society, Swarthmore Mock Trial program, Sixteen Feet all male a capella group (and Grapevine for all women, Mixed Company for co-ed), and the campus radio station, WSRN 91.5 FM.

Students are also encouraged to participate in the community, from assisting animals to helping emergency departments. The Swarthmore Fire and Protective Association is one such choice. The college also offers academic/career counseling, placement services, employment services, and access to the library.

All first years are required to live on campus in one of the 16 dorms. Freshman and sophomores will often have roommates, while juniors and seniors have private rooms. The dorms each vary in size, ranging from an eight person house to 200 capacity halls. All together the buildings have room for 1574 . About 95% of students decide to stay on campus where they can also take advantage of the dining halls (serving organic and local food) or one of the many coffee bars.

Approximately 40% of the student body participates in sports, club and intercollegiate, on campus, with 447 varsity athletes. The most common varsity sports are Basketball, Lacrosse, and Soccer, but for those who don’t wish to play at that level, choices range from ultimate frisbee to fencing to quidditch. Swarthmore is part of the Centennial Conference conference.

Campus Housing - Dorms and Meal Plans

Provides on campus housing
Yes

Residence hall capacity
1,574

Does college offer a meal plan?
Yes, number of meals in the maximum meal plan offered

Must all students live on campus?
Yes

Number of meals per week are provided with the meal plan
99
Residence halls on campus:
Alice Paul Hall, Dana Hall, David Kemp Hall, Dwell Hall, Hallowell Hall, Kyle Hall, Mary Lyons #, Mertz Hall, Palmer Hall, Parrish Hall, Pittenger Hall, PPR Apartments, Roberts Hall, Wharton Hall, Willets Hall, Woolman House, Worth Hall

Sports Programs & Athletics

Athletic conferences
    Basketball - Centennial Conference
    Baseball - Centennial Conference
    Cross Country/Track - Centennial Conference

Number of Varsity Athletes by Sport in 2026

Sport # of Men # of Women
Badminton 0 9
Baseball 39 0
Basketball 16 15
Field Hockey 0 22
Golf 10 0
Lacrosse 48 28
Soccer 31 27
Softball 0 17
Swimming 29 33
Tennis 15 18
Track and Field and Cross Country (combined) 63 48
Volleyball 0 17
Data from 2023
Athletic Association
Member of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)

Athletic Classification
NCAA Division III without football

 

 

Athletic Summary
Total # athletes
447

 

Male Athletes 229
Female Athletes 218

 

Total sports revenue
$5,502,764

Total sports expenses
$4,958,744

Avg. head coach salary - Women
(# full-time equivalents)
$117,450 (7.2)

Avg. head coach salary - Men
(# FTE)
$102,587 (6.3)


Campus Services and Programs

Services
Academic/career counseling service
Employment services for students
Placement services for completers
Library facilities
Access to digital/electronic resources
Access to library collections that are shared with other institutions
Established library hours
Organized collection of printed materials
Physical facilities
Staff trained to provide and interpret library materials
Services and Programs for Servicemembers and Veterans
Dedicated point of contact for support services for veterans, military servicemembers, and their families
Yellow Ribbon Program (officially known as Post-9/11 GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon Program)
Hospital on campus?
No

 

Other
% of students with registered disabilities
17.97%
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