Academic Comparison between Penn State Behrend and Swat

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College and Swarthmore College are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Penn State Behrend is a four-year, public school located in Erie, PA and Swat is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Swarthmore, PA.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • Penn State Behrend is a public and Swat is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • Swat has more expensive tuition & fees ($65,494) than Penn State Behrend ($26,958).
  • It is harder to admit to Swat than Penn State Behrend.
  • Swat has a higher submitted SAT score (1,220) than Penn State Behrend (1,220).
  • Swat has higher submitted ACT score (27) than Penn State Behrend (27).
  • Penn State Behrend has more students with 3,336 students while Swat has 1,623 students.
  • Swat has a lower number of students per faculty with 7 to 1 while Penn State Behrend's ratio is 12 to 1.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend Collegevs.Swarthmore College
Erie, PennsylvaniaLocationSwarthmore, Pennsylvania
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Master's degreeHighest Degree OfferedBachelor's degree
Carnegie ClassificationBaccalaureate College - Arts & Sciences
In-State$15,972
Out-Of-State$26,958
2025 Tuition & Fees$65,494
74%% Receiving Financial Aid58%
$11,249Average Amount of Financial Aid$59,928
96.83 %Acceptance Rates7.46 %
14.52 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)43.79 %
1,220SAT Score1,540
27ACT Score34
44 %Graduation Rate92 %
24 %Transfer-out Rate-
83 %Retention Rate94 %
3,336Student Population1,623
256Number of Faculties256
12 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio7 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesStudy Abroad, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services