Swarthmore College
Common Data Set
2020 - 2021
Offi ce of Institutional Research
Swarthmore College
Common Data Set
2020 - 2021
Table of Contents
Section Page
A. General Information ................................................................................................. 1
B. Enrollment and Persistence ....................................................................................... 2
C. Firs t-Time, First-Year (Freshman) Admission ............................................................. 7
D. Transfer Admission................................................................................................ 17
E. Ac ademic Offerings and Policies ............................................................................. 20
F. Student Life .......................................................................................................... 21
G. Annual Expenses.................................................................................................... 23
H. Financ ial Aid*........................................................................................................ 25
I. Instructional Faculty and Class Size ......................................................................... 33
J. Degrees Conferred ................................................................................................. 36
K. Supplemental Information
1. Detail on Degrees conferred (including most popular majors) ............................... 37
2. Degree Programs, sorted by name .................................................................... 38
3. Degree Programs, sorted by CIP Code ............................................................. .39
4. Athletic s......................................................................................................... 40
Common Data Set General Definitions ............................................................................ 41
*Common Data Set Financ ial Aid Definitions ................................................................... 47
Common Data Set 2020-2021
GENERAL INFORMATION
A1. Addres s Information
Name of College or University: Swarthmore College
Mailing Address, City/State/Zip/Country:
500 College Avenue, Swarthmore, PA 19081
Street Address (if different), City/State/Zip/Country:
Main Phone Number:
610-328-8000
WWW Home Page Address:
www.swarthmore.edu
Admissions Phone Number:
610-328-8300
Admis sions Toll-free Number:
Admis sions Office Mailing Address, City/State/Zip/Country:
500 College Avenue, Swarthmore, PA 19081
Admissions Fax Number:
610-328-8580
Admis sions E-mail Address:
admissions@swarthmore.edu
If there is a separate URL for your school’s online application, please specify:
Common Application: commonapp.org OR Coalition Application: mycoalition.org
If you have a mailing address other than the above to which applications should be sent, please provide:
⇒
A2. Source of institutional control (check one only):
☐ Public
☒ Private (nonprofit)
☐ Proprietary
A3. Classify your undergraduate institution:
☒ Coeducational college
☐ Men’s college
☐ Women’s college
A4. Acade mic ye ar cale ndar
If your academic year has changed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, please indicate as other below.
☒ Semester
☐ 4-1-4
☐ Quarter
☐ Continuous
☐ Trimester
☐ Differs by program (describe):
☐ Other (describe):
Click or tap here to enter text.
A5. De grees offe red by your ins titution
☐ Certificate
☐ Post-bachelor’s certificate
☐ Diploma
☐ Master’s
☐ Associate
☐ Post-master’s certificate
☐ Transfer
☐ Doctoral degree research/scholarship
☐ Terminal
☐ Doctoral degree – professional practice
☒ Bachelor’s
☐ Doctoral degree – other
Swarthmore College Office of Institutional Research--Page 1 of 47
Common Data Set 2020-2021
B. ENROLLMENT AND PERS I S TENCE
B1. Institutional Enrollme nt - Me n and Wome n
Provide numbers of students for each of the following categories as of the institution’s official fall reporting date or as of
October 15, 2020.
Note: Report students formerly designated as “first professional” in the graduate cells.
For information on reporting study abroad students please see: This Document at NCES.GOV
***NOTE: Pe r IPEDS guide line s, study abroad s tude nts are EXCLUDED. In Fall 2020, the re
we re two s tude nts s tudying abroad.
***In Fall 2020, enrollments and enrollment patte rns we re impacte d by COVID-19 For the Fall
2020 semester, Swarthmore invite d First Year stude nts , Sophomores, new Trans fe rs, and Re sident
Assistants to live on campus (although no s tude nt was re quired to return to campus); those with
special circumstances we re also able to petition to live on campus.
Stude nts could als o choos e to continue learning remote ly or to pause the ir Swarthmore e ducation.
FULL-TIME PART-TIME
Me n Women Men Women
Undergraduate Students Undergraduate Students
Degree-seeking, first -time freshmen st udent s
186 187 0 0
Other first-year, degree-seeking st udent s
0 0 0 0
All other degree-seeking un dergraduat e st udent s
515 547 0 0
Total degree-s eeking undergraduate s tudents
701 734 0 0
All other undergraduates enrolled in credit courses
0 2 0 0
Undergraduate Students
701 736 0 0
Graduate Students Graduate Students
Degree-seeking, first -time
0 0 0 0
All other degree-seeking
0 0 0 0
All other graduates enrolled in credit courses
0 0 0 0
Total Graduate Students
0 0 0 0
Total All Students
701 736 0 0
Total All Undergraduates : 1,437
Total All Graduate Students : 0
Grand Total All S tudents:
1,437
Swarthmore College Office of Institutional Research--Page 2 of 47
Common Data Set 2020-2021
B2. Enrollme nt by Racial/Ethnic Cate gory.
Provide numbers of undergraduate students for each of the following categories as of the institution’s official fall reporting
date or as of October 15, 2020.
Include international students only in the category "Nonresident aliens."
Complete the “Total Undergraduates” column only if you cannot provide data for the first two columns.
Report as your institution reports to IPEDS: persons who are Hispanic should be reported only on the Hispanic line,
not under any race, and persons who are non-Hispanic multi-racial s hould be reported only under "Two or more races."
***NOTE: Pe r IPEDS guide line s, study abroad s tude nts are EXCLUDED. In Fall 2020, the re
we re two s tude nts studying abroad.
******In Fall 2020, enrollme nts and e nrollment patte rns were impacte d by COVID-19 For the
Fall 2020 semester, Swarthmore invite d First Ye ar s tude nts , Sophomore s, ne w Trans fe rs, and
Re s ident Assistants to live on campus (although no stude nt was required to return to campus);
thos e with s pe cial circums tance s were als o able to pe tition to live on campus.
Stude nts could als o choos e to continue learning remote ly or to pause the ir Swarthmore e ducation.
**NOTE: The last column is completed contrary to
instructions because some guidebooks that use this form
will otherwise insert blanks into their description of the
College. Please note that it is NOT a total of the first two
columns, but is the total full- and part-time, degree- and
non-degreeseeking
Degree-seeking
Firs t-time First
year
Degree-seeking
Undergraduates
(include first-t ime
first-year)
Total
Undergraduates
(both degree- and
non-degree-seeking)
Nonresident aliens
53
216
216
His panic/Lat ino
52
188
188
Black or African American, non-Hispanic
30
115
117
White, non-Hispanic
109
474
474
American Indian or Alaska Native, non-His panic
0
4
4
Asian, non-His panic
83
256
256
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic
0
2
2
Two or more races, non-His panic
36
128
128
Race and/or ethnicity unknown
10
52
52
Total
373
1,435
1,437
Swarthmore College Office of Institutional Research--Page 3 of 47
Common Data Set 2020-2021
B3. Pe rsistence
Number of degrees awarded by your institution from July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2020.
AWARD TYPE # AWARDED
Certificate/diploma:
Associate degrees:
Bachelor’s degrees:
431
Post-bachelor’s certificates:
Master’s degrees:
Post-master’s certificates:
Doctoral degrees – research/scholarship:
Doctoral degrees – professional practice:
Doctoral degrees – other:
B4-B21: Graduation Rate s
The items in this section correspond to data elements collected by the IPEDS Web-based Data Collection System’s
Graduation Rate Survey (GRS).
For complete instructions and definitions of data elements, see the IPEDS GRS Forms and Instructions for the 2020-
2021 Survey. https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/use-the-data/survey-components/9/graduation-rates
In the following section for bachelor’s or equivalent programs, please disaggregate the Fall 2013 and Fall 2014 c ohorts
(formerly CDS B4-B11) into four groups:
• Students who received a Federal Pell Grant*
• Recipients of a subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant
• Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan
• Total (all students, regardless of Pell Grant or subsidized loan status)
* Students who received both a Federal Pell Grant and a subsidized Stafford Loan should be reported in the
"Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant" column.
For each graduation rate grid below, th e numbers in the first three columns for Questions A-G should sum to the cohort total
in the fourth column (formerly CDS B4-B11).
(See next page)
Swarthmore College Office of Institutional Research--Page 4 of 47
Common Data Set 2020-2021
For Bachelor’s or Equivalent Programs
Please provide data for the Fall 2014 cohort if available. If Fal l 2014 cohort data are not available, provide data for the Fall
2013 cohort.
Per CDS ins tructions, Fall 2014 cohort information is available and provided below; Fall 2013 cohort information can
be found in the 2019-20 CDS.
Fall 2014 Cohort
Re cipie nts of a
Federal Pell
Grant
Re cipie nts of a
Subsi di zed
Stafford Loan
who did not
receive a Pell
Grant
Students who
did not receive
either a Pell
Grant or a
subsidized
Stafford Loan
Total
(sum of 3
columns to the
left)
A
Initial 2014 cohort of first-time, full-t im e,
bachelor's (or equivalent) degree-seeking
unde rgradu ate students
59 27 321 407
B
O f the initial 2014 cohort, how many did not
pe rsi st an d di d not graduate for the
following reasons:
• Deceased
• Permanently Disabled
•
Armed Forces
•
Foreign Aid Service of the Federal Government
•
Official church missions
•
Report Total Allowable Exclu si ons
0 0 1 1
C
Final 2014 cohort, after adjusting for
allowable exclusions
59 27 320 406
D
O f the initial 2014 cohort, how many
comple ted the program in four years or less
(by Aug. 31, 2018)
51 24 296 371
E
O f the initial 2014 cohort, how many
comple ted the program in more than four
years but in five years or less (after Aug. 31,
2018 and by Aug. 31, 2019)
6 2 13 21
F
O f the initial 2014 cohort, how many
comple ted the program in more than five
years but in six years or less (after Aug. 31,
2019 and by Aug. 31, 2020)
1 0 2 3
G
Total graduating within six years (sum of
lines D, E, and F)
58 26 311 395
H
Six-year graduation rate for 2014 cohort (G
divide d by C )
98% 96% 97% 97%
(Two Year Graduation (B12- B 2 1 ) Rate s Not Appl i cabl e)
Swarthmore College Office of Institutional Research--Page 5 of 47
Common Data Set 2020-2021
B22. Retention Rates
Report for the cohort of all full-time, firs t-time bachelor’s (or equivalent) degree-seeking undergraduate s tudents who entered
in Fall 2019 (or the preceding summer term).
The initial cohort may be adjusted for students who departed for the following reasons:
* Death
* Permanent Disability
* Service in the armed forces
* Foreign aid service of the federal government
* Official church missions
* No other adjustments to the initial cohort should be made.
For the cohort of all full-time bachelor’s (or equivalent) degree-seeking undergraduate students who entered your
institution as freshmen in Fall 2019 (or the preceding summer term), what percentage was enrolled at your
institution as of the date your institution calculates its official enrollment in Fall 2020.
86.3%
NOTE:
In Fall 2020, e nrollment and e nrollme nt patte rns were impacte d by COVID-19.
For the Fall 2020 semester, Swarthmore invite d First Year stude nts , Sophomores, ne w Trans fe rs,
and Re sident As sistants to live on campus (although no s tude nt was required to return to
campus); those with spe cial circumstance s were als o able to pe tition to live on campus.
Stude nts could als o choos e to continue learning remote ly or to pause the ir Swarthmore e ducation.
Swarthmore College Office of Institutional Research--Page 6 of 47
Common Data Set 2020-2021
C. FIRST-TI ME, FI RS T-YEAR (FRESHMAN) ADMISSION
C1-C2: Applications
C1. Firs t-time, firs t-year (freshman) students : Provide the number of degree-seeking, firs t-time, firs t-year s tudents who
applied, were admitted, and enrolled (full- or part-time) in Fal l 2020.
Include early decision, early action, and students who began studies during summer in this cohort.
Applicants should include only those students who fulfilled the requirements for consideration for admission (i.e.,
who completed actionable applications) and who have been notified of one of the following actions: admiss ion, non-
admission, placement on waiting list, or application withdrawn (by applicant or institution).
Admitted applicants s hould include wait-listed students who were s ubsequently offered admission.
Due to COVID 19, one matriculating student studied abroad in Fall 2020. Per CDS instructions, that student
is excluded in B1 and B2, but this student is included in Section C.
FIRS T-TIME, FIRST YEAR (FRESHMAN) STUDENT APPLICANTS TOTAL
Total firs t-time, firs t-year (fres hman) men who appl i e d
4,798
Total firs t-time, firs t-year (freshman) women who appl i e d
Total applicants: 11,630
6,832
Total firs t-time, firs t-year (freshman) men who were admitted
515
Total firs t-time, firs t-year (freshman) women who were admitted
Total admitted: 1,054
539
Total full-time, firs t-time, firs t-year (freshman) men who enrolled
187
Total part-time, firs t-time, firs t-year (freshman) men who enrolled
0
Total full-time, firs t-time, firs t-year (freshman) women who enrolled
187
Total part-time, firs t-time, first-year (freshman) women who enrolled
Total enrolled: 374
0
C2. Fres hman wait-listed s tudents
Students who met admis s ion requirements but whos e final admis sion was contingent on s pace availability)
Do you have a policy of placing s tudents on a waiting lis t? ☒ Ye s ☐ No
If yes, please answer the questions below for Fall 2020 admis sions:
WAITING LIS T TOTAL
Number of qualified applicants offered a place on waiting list:
Number accepting a place on the waiting list:
Number of wait-lis ted s tudents admitted:
33
Is your waiting lis t ranked? ☐ Ye s ☐ No
⇒ If yes, do you release that information to students? ☐ Ye s ☐ No
⇒ Do you release that information to school counselors? ☐ Ye s ☐ No
Swarthmore College Office of Institutional Research--Page 7 of 47
Common Data Set 2020-2021
C3-C5: Admission Re quirements
C3. High school completion requirement
Check the appropriate box to identify your high school completion requirement for degree-seeking entering s tudents:
☐ High school diploma is required and GED is accepted
☐ High school diploma is required and GED is not accepted
☒
High school diploma or equivalent is not required
C4. Does your institution require or recommend a general college-preparatory program for degree-seeking students?
☐ Require
☒
Recommend
☐ Neither require nor recommend
C5. Distribution of high school units required and/or recommended. Specify the distribution of academic high school
course units required and/or recommended of all or most degree-seeking students using Carnegie units (one un it equals
one year of study or its equivalent). If you use a different system for calculating units, please convert.
Units Required
Units Recommended
Total academic units
Englis h
4
Mathematics
3
Science
3
Of these, units that must be lab
Foreign language
3
Social s tudies
3
His tory
3
Academic electives
Computer Science
Visual/Performing Arts
Other (specify)
Swarthmore does not require a specific high school
curriculum. It is recommended that students pursue
four years of English and at least three years each of
mathematics, the sciences, and history and social
studies; the study of one or two foreign languages;
and coursework in art and music.
Swarthmore College Office of Institutional Research--Page 8 of 47
Common Data Set 2020-2021
C6-C7: Basis for Selection
C6. Do you have an open admission policy, under which virtually all secondary school graduates or students with GED
equivalency diplomas are admitted without regard to academic record, test scores, or other qualifications?
No
If so, check which applies:
☐ Open admission policy as described above for all students
Open admission policy as described above for most students, but
☐ Selective admission for out-of-state s tudents
☐ Selective admission to some programs
☐ Other (explain):
C7. Relative importance of each of the following academic and nonacademic factors in your firs t-time, firs t-ye ar,
degree-seeking (freshman) admission decisions.
Very Important
Important
Considered
Not Considered
Academic
Rigor of secondary school record
☒
☐
☐
☐
Class rank
☒
☐
☐
☐
Academic GPA
☒
☐
☐
☐
Standardized test scores
☐
☐
☒
☐
Application Essay
☒
☐
☐
☐
Recommendation
☒
☐
☐
☐
Nonacademic
Interview
☐ ☐ ☒ ☐
Extracurricular activities
☐ ☒ ☐ ☐
Talent/ability
☐
☐
☒
☐
Character/personal qualities
☒ ☐ ☐ ☐
First generation
☐ ☐ ☒ ☐
Alumni/ae relation
☐ ☐ ☒ ☐
Geographical residence
☐ ☐ ☒ ☐
State residency
☐ ☐ ☒ ☐
Religious affiliation/commitment
☐ ☐ ☒ ☐
Racial/ethnic status
☐
☐
☒
☐
Volunteer work
☐ ☐ ☒ ☐
Work experience
☐ ☐ ☒ ☐
Level of applicant’s interest
☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
Swarthmore College Office of Institutional Research--Page 9 of 47
Common Data Set 2020-2021
C8: SAT and ACT Policie s
Entrance exams
Does your institution make use of SAT, ACT, or SAT Subject Test scores in admis s ion decisions for first-time, firs t-year,
degree-seeking applicants:
☒ Ye s ☐ No
If yes, place check marks in the appropriate boxes below to reflect your institution’s policies for use in admission for Fall
2022.
Require Recommend
Require for
S ome
Consider if
Submitted
Not Us ed
SAT or ACT
☐
☐
☐
☒
☐
ACT Only
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
SAT Only
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
SAT and SAT Subject Tests or ACT
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
SAT Subject Tests
☐
☐
☐
☐
☒
If your institution will make us e of the ACT in admis sion decisions for firs t-time, firs t-year, degree-seeking applicants for Fall
2022 please indicate which ONE of the following applies (regardless of whether the writing s core will be us ed in the admissions
process):
☐
ACT with writing required
☐ ACT with writing recommended
☒
ACT with or without writing accepted
If your institution will make use of the SAT in admission decisions for first-time, firs t-year, degree-seeking applicants for Fall
2022 please indicate which ONE of the following applies (regardless of whether the Essay score will be used in the admissions
process):
☐ SAT with Essay component required
☐
SAT with ESSAY component recommended
☒
SAT with or without ESSAY component accepted
Please indicate how your institution will use the SAT or ACT essay component; check all that apply.
SAT Essay ACT Es s ay
For admission
☐
☐
For placement
☐
☐
For advising
☐
☐
In place of an application essay
☐
☐
As a validity check on the application process
☐
☐
No college policy of now
☐
☐
Not using essay component
☒
☒
Swarthmore College Office of Institutional Research--Page 10 of 47
Common Data Set 2020-2021
D. In addition, does your institution use applicants' test scores for academic advising?
☒ Ye s ☐ No
E. Latest date by which SAT or ACT scores must be received for fall-term ad mis s io n :
⇒ January of Senior Year
Latest date by which SAT Subject Test scores must be received for fall-te rm ad mis s io n:
⇒
F. If necessary, use this space to clarify your test policies (e.g., if tests are recommended for some students, or if tests are not
required of some students):
For stude nts applying to Swarthmore in the 2020-21 and 2021-22 admis sions cycle s , we have
sus pe nded our requireme nt that applicants submit SAT or ACT scores. You will have the option
to s ubmit scores to us , and you will have the option for us not to cons ide r s core s alre ady
submitted. Test scores for the next two years are optional.
Should you choose to do s o, you will have the option to submit s cores from multiple e xams in the
admissions process, self-re ported or officially, including the following tests: SAT, ACT, AP exam
scores, IB exam scores, PSAT, and PreACT.
For thos e who choose to submit SAT or ACT scores, we do not require the optional e ssay section
of the SAT or the optional writing section of the ACT. If you provide scores from those sections,
the y will not be conside red in our application revie w.
If the majority of your education has be e n taught in a non-English language curricula, we
e ncourage you to provide re sults from the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo Englis h Te st.
More information is available online at: http://www.swarthmo re.e du/admiss ions -
aid/s tandardized-testing-policy
G. Please indicate which tests your institution uses for placement (e.g., s tate tests):
☐
SAT
☐
ACT
☐
SAT Subject Tests
☒ AP
☐ CLEP
☒
Institutional Exa m
☐ State Exam (specify):
NOTE: The International Baccalaureate exam is also used for placement.
Swarthmore College Office of Institutional Research--Page 11 of 47
Common Data Set 2020-2021
C9-C12: Freshman Profile
Provide information for ALL enrolled, degree-seeking, full-ti me and par t-time, firs t-time, firs t-year (freshman) s tude nts
enrolled in Fall 2020, including students who began studies during summer, international students/nonresident aliens, and
students admitted under special arrangements.
C9. Percent and number of first-time, first-year (freshman) students enrolled in Fall 2020 who s ubmitted national
standardized (SAT/ACT) test scores.
Include information for ALL enrolled, degree-seeking, first-time, first-year (fres hman) students who submitted
test scores.
Do not include partial test scores (e.g., mathematics scores but not critical reading for a category of students) or
combine other standardized test results (s uch as TOEFL) in this item.
Do not convert SAT scores to ACT scores and vice versa.
If a s tudent s ubmitted multiple sets of s cores for a s ingle test, report this information according to how you use the
data. For example:
• If you consider the highest scores from either submission, use the highest combination of scores (e.g., verbal from
one submission, math from the other).
• If you average the scores, use the average to report the scores.
Percent Numbe r
Submitting SAT Scores
68%
256
Submitting ACT Scores
40%
148
For each assessment listed below, report the score that represents the 25
th
percentile (the score that 25 percent of the
fres hman population s cored at or below) and the 75
th
percentile score (the score that 25 percent scored at or above).
Assessment 25th Percentile Score 75th Percentile Score
Average
Me di an
SAT Composite
1400 1530
1455
1480
SAT Evidence-Based
Reading and Writing
690 750
716
730
SAT Math
705 790
739
750
ACT Composite
31 34
32.5
33
ACT Math
29 34
31.2
31
ACT Englis h
33 36
34.0
35
ACT Writing
Swarthmore College Office of Institutional Research--Page 12 of 47
Common Data Set 2020-2021
Percent of first-time, firs t-year (freshman) students with scores in each range:
Score Range
SAT Evidence-B as e d
Reading and Writing
S AT Math
700-800
71%
80%
600-699
26% 19%
500-599
3%
1%
400-499
0%
0%
300-399
0%
0%
200-299
0% 0%
100%
100%
Score Range SAT Compos ite
1400-1600
77%
1200-1399
23%
1000-1199
0.4%
800-999
0%
600-799
0%
400-599
0%
100%
Score Range ACT Composite ACT Englis h ACT Math
30-36
89% 92% 69.6%
24-29
11%
8%
29.7%
18-23
0% 0% 0.7%
12-17
0%
0%
0%
6-11
0% 0% 0%
Below 6
0%
0%
0%
100% 100% 100%
Swarthmore College Office of Institutional Research--Page 13 of 47
Common Data Set 2020-2021
C10. Percent of all degree-seeking, first-time, first-year (freshman) students who had high school class rank within each
of the following ranges (report information for thos e s tudents from whom you collected high s chool rank information)
C11. Percentage of all enrolled, degree-seeking, first-time, first-year (freshman) students who had high school grade-
point averages within each of the following ranges (us ing 4.0 s cale).
Report information only for thos e s tudents from whom you collected high s chool GPA.
High School GPA data not available
Score Range Percent
Percent who had GPA of 4.0
Percent who had GPA between 3.75 and 3.99
Percent who had GPA between 3.50 and 3.74
Percent who had GPA between 3.25 and 3.49
Percent who had GPA between 3.00 and 3.24
Percent who had GPA between 2.50 and 2.99
Percent who had GPA between 2.0 and 2.49
Percent who had GPA between 1.0 and 1.99
Percent who had GPA below 1.0
100%
C12. Average high school GPA of all degree-seeking, first-time, first-year (freshman) students who submitted GPA:
%
Average High School GPA
Percent of total first-time, firs t-year (freshman) students who submitted high school GPA:
%
Percent Submitting GPA
Assessment Percent
Percent in top tenth of high school graduating class 93%
Percent in top quarter of high school graduating class 100%
Percent in top half of high school graduating class 100%
Percent in bottom half of high school graduating class 0%
} Top half + bottom half = 100%.
Percent in bottom quarter of high school graduating class 0%
Percent of total first-time, firs t-year (freshman) students who s ubmitted
high school class rank:
36%
Swarthmore College Office of Institutional Research--Page 14 of 47
Common Data Set 2020-2021
C13-C20: Admission Policies
C13. Application fee
If your ins titution has waived its application fee for the Fall 2021 admis sion cycle please select no.
Does your institution have an application fee? ☒ Ye s ☐ No
Amount of application fee:
$60.00
Can it be waived for applicants with financial need? ☒ Ye s ☐ No
If you have an application fee and an on-line application option, pleas e indicate policy for s tudents who apply on-line:
☒
Same Fee
☐ Free
☐ Reduced
Can on-line application fee be waived for applicants with financial need? ☒ Ye s ☐ No
C14. Application closing date
Does your institution have an application closing date? ☒ Ye s ☐ No
Date
Application closing date (fall)
January 4
Priority Date
C15. Are first-time, first-year students accepted for terms other than the fall? ☐ Ye s ☒ No
C16. Notification to applicants of admis s ion decis ion s ent (fill in one only)
☐ On a rolling basis beginning (date):
☒
By (date):
April 1
☐
Other:
C17. Reply policy for admitted applicants (fill in one only)
☒ Must reply by (date): May 1
☐
No set date
☐
Must reply by May 1
st
or within weeks if notified thereafter
☐
Other:
Deadline for housing deposit (MMDD):
n/a
Amount of housing deposit:
Refundable if student does not enroll?
☐
Yes , in full
☐ Yes, in part
☐
No
Swarthmore does not have a housing deposit. However, there is a non-refundable $250
enrollment deposit due by May 1.
Swarthmore College Office of Institutional Research--Page 15 of 47
Common Data Set 2020-2021
C18. Deferred admission: Does your institution allow students to postpone enrollment after admission?
☒ Ye s ☐ No
If yes, maximum period of postponement:
1 ye ar
C19. Early admis sion of high s chool s tudents : Does your ins titution allow high s chool s tudents to enroll as full-time, firs t-
time, firs t-year (freshman) students one year or more before high school graduation?
☒ Ye s ☐ No
C20. Common Application: Question removed from CDS. (Initiated during 2006-2007 cycle)
C21-C22: Early Decis ion and Early Action Plans
C21. Early decis ion: Does your institution offer an early decision plan (an admission plan that permits s tudents to apply and
be notified of an admission decision well in advance of the regular notification date and that asks students to commit to
attending if accepted) for first-time, firs t-year (freshman) applicants for fall enrollment?
☒ Ye s ☐ No
If “yes,” please complete the following:
First or only early decision plan closing date:
November 15
First or only early decision plan notification date:
De cembe r 15
Other early decision plan closing date:
January 4
Other early decision plan notification date:
Fe bruary 15
For the Fall 2020 entering class:
Number of early decis ion applications received by your ins titution:
994
Number of applicants admitted under early decision plan:
237
Please provide significant details about your early decision plan:
C22. Early action: Do you have a nonbinding early action plan whereby students are notified of an admission decision well
in advance of the regular notification date but do not have to commit to attending your college?
☐ Ye s ☒ No
If “yes,” please complete the following:
Early action closing date:
Early action notification date:
Is your early action plan a “restrictive” plan under which you limit students from applying to other early plans?
☐ Ye s ☐ No
Swarthmore College Office of Institutional Research--Page 16 of 47
Common Data Set 2020-2021
D. TRANSFER ADMISSION
D1-D2: Fall Applicants
D1. Does your institution enroll transfer students? ☒ Ye s ☐ No
(If no, please skip to Section E)
If yes, may transfer students earn advanced standing credit by transferring credits earned from course work completed
at other colleges/universities?
☒ Ye s ☐ No
D2. Provide the number of students who applied, were admitted, and enrolled as degree-seeking transfer students in Fall
2020.
Appl i c ants Admi tte d Appl i c ants Enrolled Applicants
Men
230 29 11
W o men
232 33 13
Total
462 62 24
D3-D11: Application for Admission
D3. Indicate terms for which transfers may enroll:
☒ Fall
☐ W inter
☐ Spring
☐ Su mmer
D4. Must a transfer applicant have a minimum number of credits completed or else must apply as an entering freshman?
☒ Ye s ☐ No
If yes, what is the minimum number of credits and the unit of measure?
⇒
Generally, 1 year’s worth of academic work.
D5. Indicate all items required of transfer students to apply for admission:
Required of
All
Recommended
of All
Recommended
of Some
Required of
S ome
Not required
High school transcript
☒
☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
College trans cript(s)
☒
☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Essay or personal statement
☒
☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Interview ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
☒
Standardized test s cores ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
☒
Statement of good standing from
prior institution(s)
☒
☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Swarthmore College Office of Institutional Research--Page 17 of 47
Common Data Set 2020-2021
D6. If a minimum high school grade point average is required of transfer applicants, specify
(on a 4.0 scale):
⇒
D7. If a minimum college grade point average is required of transfer applicants, specify
(on a 4.0 scale):
⇒
D8. List any other application requirements specific to transfer applicants:
⇒
Two Academic Evaluation Letters
D9. Lis t application priority, closing, notification, and candidate reply dates for transfer students. If applications are reviewed
on a continuous or rolling basis, place a check mark in the “Rolling admission” column.
Priority Date Closing Date Notification Date Reply Date
Rolling
Admi s s ion
Fall
April 1
May 15
☐
Winter
☐
Spring
☐
Su mmer
☐
D10. Does an open admission policy, if reported, apply to transfer students? ☐ Yes ☐ No
No ope n admiss ions policy
D11. Describe additional requirements for transfer admission, if applicable:
⇒ Applicants for transfe r must prese nt transcripts for both colle ge and se condary school
work, including an official s tate me nt indicating that the s tude nt is le aving the te rtiary
institution atte nde d in good standing
D12-D17: Transfe r Cre dit Policie s
D12. Report the lowest grade earned for any course that may be transferred for credit:
⇒ straight C
D13. Maximum number of credits or courses that may be transferred from a two-year ins titution:
Number:
16 Unit type: course credits (32 course credits for a Bachelor’s degree)
D14. Maximum number of credits or courses that may be transferred from a four-year ins titution:
Number:
16 Unit type: course credits (32 course credits for a B ache lor’s de gree)
D15. Minimum number of credits that transfers must complete at your institution to earn an associate degree:
⇒
not applicable
Swarthmore College Office of Institutional Research--Page 18 of 47
Common Data Set 2020-2021
D16. Minimum number of credits that transfers must complete at your institution to earn a bachelor’s degree:
⇒ Half (16 Swarthmore “cours e credits ” whe re 32 courses re quire d for a B ache lor’s
degree)
D17. Describe other transfer credit policies:
⇒ Transfe r of credit de pe nds on e valuation of the mate rials of the course , normally
including syllabus, trans cript, writte n work, e xaminations , and indication of class
hours. All de cisions are made on a case -by-case basis. An official transcript must be
received by the Registrar’s Office before validated work can be recorded for credit
D18-D22: Military Service Transfer Credit Policies
D18. Does your ins titution accept the following military/veteran transfer credits:
American Council on Education (ACE) ☐ Ye s ☒ No
College Level Examination Program (CLEP) ☐ Ye s ☒ No
DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST) ☐ Ye s ☒ No
D19. Maximum number of credits or courses that may be transferred based on military education evaluated by the American
Council on Education (ACE):
Number:
0 Unit type:
D20. Maximum number of credits or courses that may be transferred based on Department of Defense supported prior
learning assessments (College Level Examination Program (CLEP) or DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST)):
Number:
0 Unit type:
D21. Are the military/veteran credit transfer policies published on your website? ☒ Ye s ☐ No
If yes, please provide the URL where the policy can be located:
⇒ https://www.s warthmore.e du/admis sions -aid/ve te rans
D22. Des cribe other military/veteran transfer credit policies unique to your ins titution:
⇒
not applicable
Swarthmore College Office of Institutional Research--Page 19 of 47
Common Data Set 2020-2021
E. ACADEMIC OFFERINGS AND POLICIES
E1 . Special s tudy options : Identify those programs available at your institution. Refer to the glossary for definitions.
☒ Accelerated program ☒ Honors program
☐ Cooperative education program
☒
Independent study
☒ Cros s -registration ☒ Internships
☐ Distance learning
☐ Liberal arts/career combination
☒ Double major ☒ Student-designed major
☐ Dual enrollment
☒
Study abroad
☐ English as a Second Language (ESL)
☒ Teacher certification program
☒ Exchange student program (domestic)
☐ Weekend college
☐
External degree program
☒ Other (specify): The College’s Honors Program features small groups of students working
closely with faculty and peers; an emphasis on independent learning; and a final
examination by outside scholars.
Cross-registration is available at Bryn Mawr and Haverford colleges, and the University of
Pennsylvania. Cooperative exchange programs are available with Tufts University, and
Pomona, Mills, and Middlebury colleges. Study abroad is encouraged and is available to
students of all academic majors.
E2. Has been removed from the CDS.
E3 . Areas in which all or most students are required to complete some course work prior to graduation:
☐ Arts /fine arts
☒
Humanities
☐ Computer literacy
☐ Mathematics
☐ English (including composition)
☐ Philosophy
☒ Foreign languages ☒ Sciences (biological or physical)
☐ His tory
☒ Social science
☒ Other (specify): Physical Education, Writing
Swarthmore College Office of Institutional Research--Page 20 of 47
Common Data Set 2020-2021
F. S TUDENT LI FE
F1. Percentages of first-time, first-year (freshman) degree-seeking students and degree-seeking undergraduates
enrolled in Fall 2020 who fit the following categories:
NOTE: Study abroad s tude nts are EXCLUDED. In Fall 2020, the re were two s tude nts s tudying
abroad.
*Enrollment and e nrollme nt patte rns were impacte d by COVID-19. As the Fall 2020 semester is
not repres entative of the pe rce nt who normally live on campus, this numbe r is not be ing reporte d
this ye ar.
In Fall 2020, Swarthmore invite d First Ye ar s tude nts , Sophomore s, new Trans fe rs, and Re s ident
Assistants to live on campus (although no stude nt was required to return to campus); thos e with
spe cial circumstance s we re als o able to pe tition to live on campus. Stude nts could also choose to
continue le arning remote ly or to pause the ir Swarthmore e ducation.
F2. Activities offered Identify those programs available at your institution.
☒
Campus Minis tries
☒
Literary magazine
☒
Radio station
☒ Choral groups
☐ Marching band
☒ Student government
☐ Concert band
☒
Model UN
☒
Student newspaper
☒
Dance
☒
Music ensembles
☒
Student-run film s ociety
☒ Drama/theater ☒ Musical theater ☒ Symphony orchestra
☒
International Student Organization
☐
Opera
☐
Televis ion station
☐
Jazz band
☐
Pep band
☒ Yearbook
Firs t-time, first-
year (freshman)
students
Undergraduates
Percent who are from out of state (exclude international/nonresident aliens
from the numerator and denominator)
86% 86%
Percent of men who join fraternities
0%
0%
Percent of women who join sororities
0%
0%
Percent who live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing
*
*
Percent who live off campus or commute
* *
Percent of students age 25 and older
0%
0.3%
Average age of full-time s tudents
18.1
19.6
Average age of all students (full- and part-time)
18.1
19.6
Swarthmore College Office of Institutional Research--Page 21 of 47
Common Data Set 2020-2021
F3. ROTC (program offered in cooperation with Reserve Officers’ Training Corps)
Army ROTC is offered:
☐ On campus
☐ At cooperating institution (name):
Naval ROTC is offered:
☐ On campus
☐ At cooperating institution (name):
Air Force ROTC is offered:
☐ On campus
☒ At cooperating institution (name): St. Joseph’s University
F4. Housing: Check all types of college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing available for undergraduates at your
ins titution.
☒ Coed dorms
☐
Special housing for international s tudents
☒ Men’s dorms
(s ingle gender floors available)
☐ Fraternity/sorority housing
☒
Women’s dorms (s ingle gender floors available)
☐ Cooperative housing
☐ Apartments for married students
☒
Theme housing (Substance Free Housing)
☒ Apartments for s ingle s tudents
☐ W ellnes s Housing
☒ Special housing for disabled students (Available on
an individual basis)
☒ Other housing options (specify): Gender neutral
housing (students of any gender may share rooms
and/or share bathrooms)
Swarthmore College Office of Institutional Research--Page 22 of 47
Common Data Set 2020-2021
G. ANNUAL EXPENSES
G0 . Please provide the URL of your institution’s net price calculator:
⇒
http://www.s warthmore.e du/admis sions -aid/net-price -calculator
Provide 2021-2022 academic year costs of attendance for the following categories that are applicable to your
institution.
☐ Check here if your institution's 2021-2022 academic year costs of attendance are not available at this time and provide an
approximate date (i.e., month/day) when your institution's final 2021-2022 academic year costs of attendance will be
available:
⇒
G1 . Undergraduate full-time tuition, required fees, room and board
List the typical tuition, required fees, and room and board for a full-time undergraduate student for the FULL 2021-2022
academic year. (30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours for institutions that derive annual tuition by multiplying credit hour
cost by number of credits).
A full academic year refers to the period of time generally extending from September to June; usually equated to two
semesters, two trimesters, three quarters, or the period covered by a four-one-four plan.
Room and board is defined as double occupancy and 19 meals per week or the maximum meal plan.
Required fees include only charges that all full-time s tudents must pay that are not included in tuition (e.g.,
registration, health, or activity fees.)
Do not include optional fees (e.g., parking, laboratory use).
****NOTE: Figures below reflect 21-22*****
FIRS T-YEA R UNDERGRADUATES
PRIVATE INS TITUTION
Tuition:
$55,856 $55,856
PUB LIC INS TITUTION
Tuition: In-dis trict:
Tuition: In-state (out-of-district):
Tuition: Out-of-state:
Tuition: Non-resident alien
FOR ALL INS TITUTIONS
Required Fees
$200 $200
Room and Board (on-campus):
$17,150
$17,150
Room Only (on-campus):
$8,796 $8,796
Board Only (on-campus meal plan):
$8,354 $8,354
Comprehensive tuition and room and board fee (if your college cannot provide separate tuition and room and board
fees):
Tuition and
Fees:
$56,056
Tuition, Fee s,
Room, and
Board:
$73,206
Swarthmore College Office of Institutional Research--Page 23 of 47
Common Data Set 2020-2021
Other:
G2 . Number of credits per term a student can take for the stated full-time tuition.
*Note that these are Swarthmore “course credits,” where 32 courses are required for a Bachelor’s
Degree.
Minimum:
3
M a ximu m
: 5
G3 . Do tuition and fees vary by year of s tudy (e.g., s ophomore, junior, s enior)?
☐ Ye s ☒ No
G4 . Do tuition and fees vary by undergraduate ins tructional program?
☐ Ye s ☒ No
If yes, what percentage of full-time undergraduates pay more than the tuition and fees reported in G1?
G5 . Provide the estimated expenses for a typical full-time undergraduate student:
****NOTE: Figures below reflect 21‐22*****
Residents
Commuters
(living at home)
Commuters
(not living at home)
Books and supplies:
$735* $735* $735*
*These expenses reflect academic supplies; each student receives an annual credit
of up to $700 for required course materials
Room only:
Board only:
Room and board total*
Transportation:
Varie s Varie s Varie s
Other expenses:
$1,415 $1,415 $1,415
* If your college cannot provide separate room and board figures for commuters not living at home
G6. Undergraduate per-credit-hour charges (tuition only):
PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS:
Not Applicable
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS:
In-dis trict:
In-state (out-of-district):
Out-of-state:
NONRESIDENT ALIENS:
Swarthmore College Office of Institutional Research--Page 24 of 47
Common Data Set 2020-2021
H. FINANCIAL AID
Please refer to the following financial aid definitions when completing Section H.
Awar de d ai d: The dollar amounts offered to financial aid applicants.
Financial aid applicant: Any applicant who submits any one of the institutionally required financial aid applications/forms,
such as the FAFSA.
Inde bte dne s s : Aggregate dollar amount borrowed through any loan program (federal, state, subsidized, unsubsidized, private,
etc.; excluding parent loans) while the student was enrolled at an institution. Student loans co-signed by a parent are assumed
to be the responsibility of the student and should be included.
Institutional scholarships and grants: Endowed scholarships, annual gifts and tuition funded grants for which the institution
determines the recipient.
Financial need: As determined by your institution using the federal methodology and/or your institution's own standards.
Need-bas e d ai d: College-funded or college-administered award from institutional, state, federal, or other sources for which a
student must have financial need to qualify. This includes both institutional and non-institutional s tudent aid (grants, jobs, and
loans).
Need-bas ed s cholars hip or grant aid: Scholarships and grants from institutional, state, federal, or other sources for which a
student must have financial need to qualify.
Need-bas e d s e l f-he l p ai d: Loans and jobs from institutional, state, federal, or other sources for which a student must
demonstrate financial need to qualify.
Non-need-bas ed s cholars hip or grant aid: Scholarships and grants, gifts, or merit-based aid from institutional, state, federal,
or other sources (including unrestricted funds or gifts and endowment income) awarded solely on the basis of academic
achievement, merit, or any other non-need-based reason. When reporting questions H1 and H2, non-need-based aid that is used
to meet need should be counted as need-based aid.
Note: Suggested order of precedence for counting non-need money as need-bas e d:
1. Non-need ins titutional grants
2. Non-need tuition waivers
3. Non-need athletic awards
4. Non-need federal grants
5. Non-need state grants
6. Non-need outside grants
7. Non-need s tudent loans
8. Non-need parent loans
9. Non-need work
Non-need-bas e d s e l f-he l p ai d: Loans and jobs from institutional, state, or other sources for which a student need not
demonstrate financial need to qualify.
Private s tudent loans : A nonfederal loan made by a lender such as a bank, credit union or private lender used to pay for up to
the annual cost of education, less any financial aid received.
External s cholars hips and grants : Scholarships and grants received from outside (private) sources that students bring with
them (e.g., Kiwanis, National Merit scholarships). The institution may process paperwork to receive the dollars, but it has no
role in determining the recipient or the dollar amount awarded.
Work s tudy and employment: Federal and state work study aid, and any employment packaged by your institution in financial
aid awards.
DO NOT INCLUDE ANY AID RELATED TO THE CARES ACT OR UNIQUE THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Swarthmore College Office of Institutional Research--Page 25 of 47
Common Data Set 2020-2021
Aid Awarde d to Enrolle d Unde rgraduate s
H1 . Enter total dollar amounts awarded to enrolled full-time and less than full-time degree-seeking undergraduates (using
the same cohort reported in CDS Question B1, “total degree-seeking” undergraduates) in the following categories.
If the data being reported are final figures for the 2019-2020 academic year (see the next item below), use the 2019-
2020 academic year's CDS Question B1 cohort.
Include aid awarded to international students (i.e., those not qualifying for federal aid).
Aid that is non-need-based but that was used to meet need should be reported in the need-based aid column.
For a suggested order of precedence in assigning categories of aid to cover need, see the entry for “non-need-based
scholarship or grant aid” on the last page of the definitions section.
Do NOT include any aid related to the CARES Act or unique to the COVID-19 pande mi c.
Indicate the academic year for which data are reported for i tems H1 , H2 , H2 A, and H6 below:
☒ 2020-2021 es timated or ☐ 2019-2020 Final
Which needs-analysis methodology does your ins titution us e in awarding institutional aid? (Formerly H3)
☐ Federal methodology (FM)
☒
Institutional methodology (IM)
☐ Both FM and IM
**NOTE: All Swarthmore aid awards are loan-free**
Need-bas e d
(Include non-need-
based aid use to meet
need.)
Non-need-bas e d
(Exclude non-need-
based aid use to meet
need.)
Scholars hips /Grants
Federal
1,787,501
0
State all s tates, not only the s tate in which your ins titution is
located
133,664 0
Institutional: Endowed scholarships, annual gifts and tuition
funded grants, awarded by the college, excluding athletic aid and
tuition waivers (which are reported below).
38,480,804 1,201,132
Scholarships/grants from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis,
National Merit) not awarded by the college
641,404 720,541
Total Scholarships /Grants
41,043,373
1,921,673
Self-Hel p
Student loans from all sources (excluding parent loans)
0
1,027,409
Federal Work-Study
312,285
State and other (e.g., institutional) work-s tudy/employment
(Note: Excludes Federal Work-Study captured above.)
222,666
Total Self-Hel p
534,951
1,027,409
Parent Loans
0 1,559,818
Tuition Waivers
Note: Reporting is optional. Report tuition waivers in this row if you
choose to report them. Do not report tuition waivers elsewhere.
0 0
Athletic Awards
0
0
Per CDS instructions, Financial Aid information based on enrolled students
matches the number of enrolled students detailed in CDS Question B1; study
abroad students are therefore excluded.
Swarthmore College Office of Institutional Research--Page 26 of 47
Common Data Set 2020-2021
H2 . Number of Enrolled Students Awarded Aid: List the number of degree-seeking full-time and less-than-full-time
undergraduates who applied for and were awarded financial aid from any source.
Aid that is non-need-based but that was used to meet need should be counted as need-bas e d ai d.
Numbers should reflect the cohort awarded the dollars reported in H1.
In the chart below, students may be counted in more than one row, and full-time fres hmen s hould also be counted as
full-time undergraduates.
Do NOT include any aid related to the CARES Act or unique to the COVID-1 9 pande mi c.
**NOTE: All Swarthmore aid awards are loan-free**
Firs t-time
Full-time
Freshmen
Full-time
Undergrad
(Incl. Fresh)
Les s Than
Full-time
Undergrad
A
Number of degree-seeking undergraduate s tudents (CDS Item B1 if
reporting on Fall 2020 cohort)
373 1435
B Number of students in line a who applied for need-based financial aid
279 929
C
Number of students in line b who were determined to have financial
need
198 810
D Number of students in line c who were awarded any financial aid
198 810
E
Number of students in line d who were awarded any need-based
scholarship or grant aid
198 810
F
Number of students in line d who were awarded any need-based self-
help aid
190 780
G
Number of students in line d who were awarded any non-need-based
scholarship or grant aid
0 0
H
Number of students in line d whose need was fully met (exclude PLUS
loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans)
198 810
I
On average, the percentage of need that was met of students who were
awarded any need-based aid. Exclude any aid that was awarded in
excess of need as well as any resources that were awarded to replace
EFC (PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans)
100% 100% %
J
The average financial aid package of those in line d. Exclude any
resources that were awarded to replace EFC (PLUS loans, unsubsidized
loans, and private alternative loans)
$55,917 $51,382 $
K Average need-based scholarship or grant award of those in line e
$55,293 $50,671 $
L
Average need-based s elf-help award (excluding PLUS loans,
unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans) of those in line f
$624 $711 $
M
Average need-based loan (excluding PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans,
and private alternative loans) of those in line f who were awarded a
need-based loan
$0 $0 $0
H2 A. Number of Enrolled Students Awarded Non-need-bas e d S c hol ar s hi ps and Gr ants : List the number of degree-
seeking full-time and less-than-full-time undergraduates who had no financial need and who were awarded institutional non-
need-based scholarship or grant aid.
Numbers should reflect the cohort awarded the dollars reported in H1.
In the chart below, students may be counted in more than one row, and full-time fres hmen should also be counted as
full-time undergraduates.
Do NOT include any aid related to the CARES Act or unique to the COVID-1 9 pande mi c.
Swarthmore College Office of Institutional Research--Page 27 of 47
Common Data Set 2020-2021
Firs t-time
Full-time
Freshmen
Full-time
Undergrad
(Incl. Fresh)
Les s Than
Full-time
Undergrad
N
Number of students in line a who had no financial need and who were
awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid (exclude
those who were awarded athletic awards and tuition benefits)
4 24 0
O
Average dollar amount of institutional non-need-based s cholarship and
grant aid awarded to students in line n
$54,256 $50,047 $0
P
Number of students in line a who were awarded an institutional non-
need-based athletic scholarship or grant
0 0 0
Q
Average dollar amount of institutional non-need-based athletic
scholarships and grants awarded to students in line p
$0 $0 $0
Note: These are the graduates and loan types to include and exclude in order to fill out CDS H4 and H5.
Include:
• 2020 undergraduate class: all students who started at your institution as first-time students and received a bachelor's
degree between July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020.
• Only loans made to students who borrowed while enrolled at your institution.
• Co-signed loans.
Exclude:
• Students who transferred in.
• Money borrowed at other institutions.
• Parent loans
• Students who did not graduate or who graduated with another degree or certificate (but no bachelor’s degree).
• Any aid related to the CARE Act or unique the COVID-19 pande mi c .
H4. Provide the number of students in the 2020 undergraduate class who s tarted at your institution as first-ti me students
and received a bachelor's degree between July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020. Exclude students who transferred into your
institution.
⇒ 402
H5. Number and percent of students in class (defined in H4 above) borrowing from federal, non-federal, and any loan
sources, and the average (or mean) amount borrowed.
• The “Average per-undergraduate-borrower cumulative principal borrowed,” is designed to provide better information
about student borrowing from federal and nonfederal (ins titutional, s tate, commercial) s ources.
• The numbers, percentages, and averages for each row should be based only on the loan source specified for the
particular row. For example, the federal loans average (row b) should only be the cumulative average of federal loans
and the private loans average (row e) should only be the cumulative average of private loans.
Swarthmore College Office of Institutional Research--Page 28 of 47
Common Data Set 2020-2021
**NOTE: All Swarthmore aid awards are loan-free**
Source/Type of Loan
Number in the class
(de fi ne d i n H4
above) who
borrowed from the
types of loans
specified in the first
column
Percent of the class
(de fi ne d above)
who borrowed from
the types of loans
specified in the first
column (nearest
1% )
Average per-
undergraduate-borrower
cumulative principal
borrowed from the type s
of loans specified in the
firs t column (nearest $1)
A
Any loan program: Federal Perkins,
Federal Stafford Subsidized and
Uns ubsidized, ins titutional, s tate, private
loans that your institution is aware of, etc.
Include both Federal Direct Student Loans
and Federal Family Education Loans.
100 25% $28,628
B
Federal loan programs: Federal Perkins,
Federal Stafford Subsidized and
Unsubsidized. Include both Federal Direct
Student Loans and Federal Family
Education Loans.
89 22% $16,714
C Ins titutional loan programs.
4 1%
Not presented due to
small number of students
D State loan programs.
0
0%
$0
E
Private student loans made by a bank or
lender.
20 5% $68,348
Aid to Unde rgraduate De gree-seeking Nonreside nt Alie ns
• Report numbers and dollar amounts for the same academic year checked in item H1
H6 . Indicate your institution’s policy regarding institutional scholarship and grant aid for undergraduate degree-seeking
nonresident aliens:
☒ Ins titutional need-based scholarship or grant aid is available
☐ Institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid is available
☐
Ins titutional s cholarship and grant aid is not available
If institutional financial aid is available for undergraduate degree-seeking nonresident aliens, provide the number of
undergraduate degree-seeking nonresident aliens who were awarded need-based or non-need-based aid:
⇒ 64
Average dollar amount of institutional financial aid awarded to undergraduate degree-seeking nonresident aliens:
⇒ 61,480
Total dollar amount of institutional financial aid awarded to undergraduate degree-seeking nonresident aliens:
⇒ 3,934,716
H7 . Check off all financial aid forms nonresident alien firs t-year financial aid applicants mus t submit:
☐ Institution’s own financial aid form
☒ CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE
☒ International Student’s Financial Aid Application
☐
International Student’s Certification of Finances
☒ Other: Foreign Tax Return and Income Statement from Employer
Swarthmore College Office of Institutional Research--Page 29 of 47
Common Data Set 2020-2021
Proce s s for First-Ye ar/Freshman Stude nts
H8 . Check off all financial aid forms domestic first-year (freshman) financial aid applicants must submit:
☒ FAFSA
☐
Institution’s own financial aid form
☒ CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE
☒ State aid form
☒ Noncustodial PROFILE
☐
Business/Farm Supplement
☒ Other: Federal Tax Return and W-2 Statements
H9 . Indicate filing dates for first-year (freshman) s tudents:
Priority date for filing required financial aid forms:
⇒ 1/1/2021
Deadline for filing required financial aid forms :
⇒
☐ No deadline for filing required forms (applications processed on a rolling basis)
H10. Indicate notification dates for first-year (freshman) s tudents (answer a or b):
☒ Students notified on or about (date): 4/1/2021
☐
Students notified on a rolling basis. Starting date:
H11. Indicate reply dates:
Students must reply by (date):
5/1/2021 or within weeks of notification.
Types of Aid Available
Please check off all types of aid available to undergraduates at your institution:
H12. Loans
☒ Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans
☒ Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans
☒ Direct PLUS Loans
☐
Federal Perkins Loans
☐
Federal Nursing Loans
☒ State Loans
☐ College/university loans from institutional funds
☐
Other (specify):
Swarthmore College Office of Institutional Research--Page 30 of 47
Common Data Set 2020-2021
H13. Need Based Scholars hips and Grants
☒ Federal Pell
☒ SEOG
☒ State s cholarships/grants
☒ Private Scholarships
☒ College/university scholarship or grant aid from institutional funds
☐ United Negro College Fund
☐
Federal Nursing Scholarship
☐
Other (specify):
H14. Check off criteria used in awarding institutional aid. Check all that apply.
Non-Need Based Need-Bas ed
Academics
☒
☐
Alumni affiliation
☐ ☐
Art ☐ ☐
Athletics ☐ ☐
Job s kills ☐ ☐
ROTC ☐
Leadership
☒
☐
Minority status ☐ ☐
Music/drama ☐ ☐
Religious affiliation
☐ ☐
State/district residency
☒
☐
H1 5 . If your institution has recently implemented any major financial aid policy, program, or initiative to make your ins titution
more affordable to incoming students such as replacing loans with grants, or waiving costs for families below a certain income
level please provide details below:
⇒ Beginning with the 2020-21 academic year, each student receives an annual credit at the
Swarthmore Campus and Community Store (the bookstore) of up to $700 for required
course materials. This credit can be used to help acquire required books and supplies for
class. More information can be found at https://store.swarthmore.edu/SiteText? id=87397
Are these policies related to the COVID-19 pandemic?
☐ Ye s ☒ No
Swarthmore College Office of Institutional Research--Page 31 of 47
Common Data Set 2020-2021
Financial Aid Definitions
External scholarships and grants: Scholarships and grants received from outside (private) sources that students bring wit h t hem (e.g.,
Kiwanis, National Merit scholarships). T he institution may process paperwork to receive the dollars, but it has no role in determining the
recipient or the dollar amount awarded.
Financial aid applicant: Any applicant who submits any one of the institutionally required financial aid applications/forms, such as the
FAFSA.
Inde bte dness: Aggregate dollar amount borrowed through any loan program (federal, state, subsidized, unsubsidized, private, etc.; excluding
parent loans) while the student was enrolled at an institution. Student loans co-signed by a parent are assumed to be the responsibility of the
st udent and should be included.
Institutional scholarships and grants: En do wed scholarships, an n ual gift s and t uit ion funded grant s for which the institution determines
the recipient.
Financial need: As determined by your institution using the federal methodology and/or your institution's own standards.
Need-based aid: College-funded or college-administered award from institut ional, state, federal, or other sources for which a student must
have financial need to qualify. T his includes both institutional and non-inst it ut ional st udent aid (grant s, jobs, and loans).
Need-based scholarship or grant aid: Scholarships and grants from institutional, state, federal, or other sources for which a student must
have financial need to qualify.
Need-based se lf-help ai d: Loans and jobs from institutional, state, federal, or other sources for which a student must demonstrate financial
need t o qualify.
Non-need-based scholarship or grant aid: Scholarships and grants, gifts, or merit-based aid from institutional, state, federal, or other
sources (including unrestricted funds or gifts and endowment income) awarded solely on the basis of academic achievement, merit, or any
other non-need-based reason. When reporting questions H1 and H2, non-need-based aid that is used to meet need should be counted as need-
based aid.
Note: Suggested order of precedence for counting non-need money as need-based:
1. Non-need institutional grants
2. Non-need tuition waivers
3. Non-need athletic awards
4. Non-need federal grants
5. Non-need state grants
6. Non-need out side grant s
7. Non-need student loans
8. Non-need parent loans
9. Non-need work
Non-need-based se lf-help aid: Loans and jobs from institutional, state, or other sources for which a student need not demonstrate financial
need t o qualify.
Work stu dy and e mployment: Federal and state work study aid, and any employment packaged by your institution in financial aid awards.
Swarthmore College Office of Institutional Research--Page 32 of 47
Common Data Set 2020-2021
I. INSTRUCTIONAL FACULTY AND CLASS SIZE
I-1. Please report the number of instructional faculty members in each category for Fall 2020. Include faculty who are
on your ins titution’s payroll on the census date your institution uses for IPEDS/AAUP.
The following definition of full-time instructional faculty is used by the American Association of University Professors
(AAUP) in its annual Faculty Compensation Survey (the part time definitions are not used by AAUP). Instructional Faculty is
defined as those members of the instructional-research staff whose major regular assignment is instruction, including those
with released time for research. Use the chart below to determine inclusions and exclusions:
Full-time
Part-t ime
A
Instructional faculty in preclinical and clinical medicine, faculty who are not paid
(e.g., those who donate their services or are in the military), or research-only faculty,
post-doctoral fellows, or pre-doctoral fellows
Exclude
Include only
if they teach
one or more
non-clinical
credit courses
B
Administrative officers with titles such as dean of students, librarian, registrar, coach,
and the like, even though they may devote part of their time to classroom instruction
and may have faculty status
Exclude
Include if
they teach one
or more non-
clinical credit
courses
C
Other administrators/staff who teach one or more non-clinical credit courses even
though they do not have faculty status
Exclude Include
D
Undergraduate or graduate students who assist in the instruction of courses, but have
titles such as teaching assistant, teaching fellow, and the like
Exclude Exclude
E Faculty on sabbatical or leave with pay Include Exclude
F Faculty on leave without pay Exclude Exclude
G Replacement faculty for faculty on sabbatical leave or leave with pay Exclude Include
Full-time instructional faculty: faculty employed on a full-time bas is for instruction (including those with released time for
research)
Part-time instructional faculty: Adjuncts and other instructors being paid solely for part-time clas s room ins truction. Also
includes full-time faculty teaching less than two semesters, three quarters, two trimesters, or two four-month sessions.
Employees who are not considered full-time instruction faculty but who teach one or more non-clinical credit courses may be
counted as part-time faculty.
Minority faculty: includes faculty who designate themselves as Black, non-Hispanic; American Indian or Alaska Native; Asian,
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, or Hispanic.
Doctorate: includes such degrees as Doctor of Philosophy, Doctor of Education, Doctor of Juridical Science, and Doctor of
Public Health in any field such as arts, sciences, education, engineering, business, and public administration. Also includes
terminal degrees formerly designated as “first professional,” including dentistry (DDS or DMD), medicine (MD), optometry
(OD), osteopathic medicine (DO), pharmacy (DPharm or BPharm), podiatric medicine (DPM), veterinary medicine (DVM),
chiropractic (DC or DCM), or law (JD).
Terminal master’s degree: a master’s degree that is considered the highest degree in a field: example, M. Arch (in architecture)
and MFA (master of fine arts in art or theater).
Swarthmore College Office of Institutional Research--Page 33 of 47
Common Data Set 2020-2021
Full-time Part-ti me Total
A Total number of instructional faculty
198
22
220
B Total number who are members of minority groups
49 8 57
C Total number who are women
95 13 108
D Total number who are men
103 9 112
E Total number who are nonresident aliens (international)
3
1
4
F Total number with doctorate, or other terminal degree
198
18
216
G
Total number whose highest degree is a master’s but not a terminal
master’s
0 1 1
H Total number whose highest degree is a bachelor’s
0 2 2
I
Total number whose highest degree is unknown or other (Note: Items f,
g, h, and i must sum up to item a.)
0 1 1
J
Total number in stand-alone graduate/professional programs in which
faculty teach virtually only graduate-lev el s tudents
0 0 0
I-2. Student to Faculty Ratio
Report the Fall 2020 ratio of full-time equivalent s tudents (full-time plus 1/3 part time) to full-time equivalent ins tructional
faculty (full time plus 1/3 part time). In the ratio calculations, exclude both faculty and students in stand-alone graduate or
professional programs such as medicine, law, veterinary, dentistry, social work, business, or public health in which faculty
teach virtually only graduate level students.
• Do not count undergraduate or graduate student teaching assistants as faculty.
Fall 2020 Student to Faculty ratio:
7.0 to 1
• Based on
1437.0 students and 205.3 faculty
*NOTE: This calculation e xclude s stude nts (2 this ye ar) and faculty me mbe rs (none this ye ar)
away for s tudy abroad.
In Fall 2020, e nrollment and e nrollme nt patte rns were impacte d by COVID-19. For the Fall 2020
se mester, Swarthmore invite d First Ye ar s tude nts, Sophomores, new Trans fe rs, and Re s ident
Assis tants to live on campus (although no stude nt was required to return to campus); thos e with
spe cial circumstance s we re als o able to pe tition to live on campus.
Stude nts could als o choos e to continue learning remote ly or to pause the ir Swarthmore e ducation.
Swarthmore College Office of Institutional Research--Page 34 of 47
Common Data Set 2020-2021
I-3. Undergraduate Class Size
In the table below, please use the following definitions to report information about the size of classes and class sections
offered in the Fall 2020 t e rm.
Please include classes that have been moved online in response to the COVID-1 9 pande mi c.
Class Sections: A class section is an organized course offered for credit, identified by discipline and number, meeting at a
stated time or times in a classroom or similar setting, and not a subsection such as a laboratory or discussion session.
Undergraduate class sections are defined as any sections in which at least one degree-seeking undergraduate student is enrolled
for credit. Exclude distance learning classes and noncredit classes and individual instruction such as dissertation or thesis
research, music instruction, or one-to-one readings. Exclude students in independent study, co-operative programs, internships,
foreign language taped tutor sessions, practicums, and all students in one-on-one classes. Each class section should be counted
only once and should not be duplicated because of course catalog cross-lis tings.
Class Subsections: A class subsection includes any subsection of a course, such as laboratory, recitation, and discussion
subsections that are supplementary in nature and are scheduled to meet separately from the lecture portion of the course.
Undergraduate subsections are defined as any subsections of courses in which degree-seeking undergraduate students enrolled
for credit. As above, exclude noncredit classes and individual instruction such as dissertation or thesis research, music
instruction, or one-to-one readings. Each class subsection should be counted only once and should not be duplicated because
of cross-listings.
Using the above definitions, please report for each of the following class-size intervals the number of class sections and class
subsections offered in Fall 2020. For example, a lecture class with 800 students who met at another time in 40 separate labs
with 20 s tudents should be counted once in the “100+” column in the class section column and 40 times under the “20-29”
column of the class subsections table.
Number of Class Sections with Undergraduates Enrolled
Undergraduate Class Size (provide numbers)
NOTE: In Fall 2020, e nrollme nt and enrollme nt patte rns we re impacte d by COVID-19. For the
Fall 2020 semester, Swarthmore invite d First Ye ar s tude nts , Sophomore s, ne w Trans fe rs, and
Re s ident Assistants to live on campus (although no stude nt was required to return to campus);
thos e with spe cial circumstance s we re also able to pe tition to live on campus.
Stude nts could als o choos e to continue learning remote ly or to pause the ir Swarthmore e ducation.
The Average Class Size is somewhat lower this year; in the past three years, the Average Class size
has ranged from 15.8 to16.5.
The pe rce nt of Class Se ctions with le s s than 20 is slightly highe r this ye ar; it was 73-74% in the
pas t thre e ye ars .
2-9 10-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-99 100+ Total
CLASS
SECTIONS
150 120 50 23 6 4 1 354
42.4% 33.9% 14.1% 6.5% 1.7% 1.1% 0.3% 100%
Class Sections with less than 20: 270 (76.3%)
Class Sections with 50 or More: 5 (n=1.4%)
Average for Class Sections is: 14.3
2-9 10-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-99 100+ Total
CLASS SUB-
SECTIONS
48 67 11 0 0 0 0 126
38.1% 53.2% 8.7% 0% 0% 0% 0% 100%
Average for Class Sub-Se ctions is: 11.0
Swarthmore College Office of Institutional Research--Page 35 of 47
Common Data Set 2020-2021
J. Disciplinary areas of DEGREES CO NFERRED
Degrees conferred between July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020
For each of the following discipline areas, provide the percentage of diplomas/certificates, associate, and bachelor’s degrees
awarded. To determine the percentage,
use majors, not he adcount (e.g., students with one degree but a double ma jor
will be represented twice). Calculate the percentage from your institution’s IPEDS Completions by using the
sum of 1st
and 2nd majors for e ach CIP code as the numerator and the sum of the Grand Total by 1s t Majors
and the Grand Total by 2nd major as the denominator.
If you prefer, you can compute the percentages using
1
st
majors only.
* * Note : the se percentages are base d on majors, not he adcount, using the sum of 1st and 2nd
majors ***
Category
Diploma/
Certificates
As s ociate Bachelor’s
CIP 2020
Categories
to Include
Agriculture
01
Natural resources and conservation
3.2%
03
Architecture
04
Area, ethnic, and gender studies
1.4%
05
Communication/journalism
09
Communication technologies
10
Computer and information sciences
11.4%
11
Personal and culinary services
12
Education
3.2%
13
Engineering
4.2%
14
Engineering technologies
15
Foreign languages, literatures, and linguistics
4.9%
16
Family and consumer sciences
19
Law/legal studies
22
Englis h
1.9%
23
Liberal arts/general studies
24
Library science
25
Biological/life s ciences
10.0%
26
Mathematics and statistics
6.2%
27
Military science and military technologies
28 and 29
Interdis ciplinary s tudies
6.2%
30
Parks and recreation
31
Philosophy and religious studies
3.2%
38
Theology and religious vocations
39
Physical sciences
4.0%
40
Swarthmore College Office of Institutional Research--Page 36 of 47
Common Data Set 2020-2021
Category
Diploma/
Certificates
As s ociate Bachelor’s
CIP 2020
Categories
to Include
Science technologies 41
Psychology
5.8%
42
Homeland Security, law enforcement, firefighting, and
protective services
43
Public adminis tration and social s ervices
44
Social sciences
25.3%
45
Construction trades
46
Mechanic and repair technologies
47
Precision production
48
Transportation and materials moving
49
Visual and performing arts
6.3%
50
Health professions and related programs
51
Business/marketing
52
His tory
2.8%
54
Other
TOTAL
100% 100%
100%
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
K-1. Detail on degrees conferred between July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020 (See als o items B.3., and s ection J.):
People receiving degrees:
418
Degrees awarded:
Total:
431 (See item B.3.)
BA:
407
BS:
24
(People receiving two degrees:
13)
Top five most popular majors (includes first and second majors):
1. Economics (20.1%)
2. Computer Science (15.6%)
3. Biology (9.3%)
4. Political Science (9.1%)
5. Mathematics (8.4%)
NOTE: Unlike the figures in section J, the denominator for the percentages here is the number of
students graduating (with many students carrying two majors). Swarthmore students do not
declare a major until the end of the sophomore year. These figures are based on the most recent
graduating class.
Swarthmore College Office of Institutional Research--Page 37 of 47
Common Data Set 2020-2021
K-2. Majors Offered (sorted alphabetically).
Name of Major
CIP Code
Departmental, Interdisciplinary, Pre-
defined Special, or Special by Design
Ancient History
16.1200
D
Art
50.0702
D
Art History
50.0703
D
Asian St udies
05.0103
I
Astronomy
40.0201
D
Biology
26.0101
D
Chemist ry
40.0501
D
Chinese
16.0301
D
Classical Studies
30.2202
D
Comparative Literature
16.0104
I
Computer Science
11.0101
D
Dance
50.0301
D
Economics
45.0601
D
Educat ional St udies
13.0101
D
Engineering
14.0101
D
English Literature
23.0101
D
Environmental Studies
03.0103
I
Film & Media Studies
50.0699
D
French & Francophone Studies
16.0901
D
German Studies
05.0125
D
Greek
16.1202
D
Hist ory
54.0101
D
Latin
16.1203
D
Linguistics
16.0102
D
Mathematics
27.0101
D
Medieval Studies
30.1301
I
Music
50.0901
D
Peace and Conflict Studies
30.0501
I
Philosophy
38.0101
D
Physics
40.0801
D
Political Science
45.1001
D
Psychology
42.2799
D
Religion
38.0201
D
Russian
16.0402
D
Sociology & Anthropology
45.1301
D
Spanish
16.0905
D
Theater
50.0501
D
Pre-Defined Special Majors:
Special Major: Astrophysics
40.0202
P
Special Major: Biochemistry
26.0202
P
Special Major: Chemical Physics
40.0508
P
Special Major: Chinese Studies
16.0301
P
Special Major: Education & Other
13.9999
P
Special Major: Japanese Language, Literature, and Culture
16.0302
P
Special Major: Linguistics/Lang
16.0102
P
Special Major: Medical Anthropology
45.9999
P
Special Major: Neuroscience
26.1501
P
Special Major: Psychobiology
42.2706
P
Swarthmore College Office of Institutional Research--Page 38 of 47
Common Data Set 2020-2021
Special Majors by Design (subject to approval)
Special Major: Arabic Studies
05.0108
S
Special Major: Black Studies
05.0201
S
Special Major: Cognitive Science
30.2501
S
Special Major: Gender & Sexuality Studies
05.0207
S
Special Major: Islamic Studies
38.0205
S
Special Major: Latin American and Latino Studies
05.0107
S
Additional Individual Special Majors by design
K-3. Majors O ffered (sorted by C IP Code).
CIP Code
Name of Major
Departmental, Interdisciplinary, Pre-
defined Special, or Special by Design
03.0103
Environmental Studies
I
05.0103
Asian St udies
I
05.0107
Special Major: Latin American and Latino Studies
S
05.0108
Special Major: Arabic Studies
S
05.0125
German Studies
D
05.0201
Special Major: Black Studies
S
05.0207
Special Major: Gender & Sexuality Studies
S
11.0101
Computer Science
D
13.0101
Educat ional St udies
D
13.9999
Special Major: Education & Other
P
14.0101
Engineering
D
16.0102
Linguistics
D
16.0102
Special Major: Linguistics/Lang
P
16.0104
Comparative Literature
I
16.0301
Chinese
D
16.0301
Special Major: Chinese Studies
P
16.0302
Special Major: Japanese Language, Literature, and Culture
P
16.0402
Russian
D
16.0901
French & Francophone Studies
D
16.0905
Spanish
D
16.1200
Ancient History
D
16.1202
Greek
D
16.1203
Latin
D
23.0101
English Literature
D
26.0101
Biology
D
26.0202
Special Major: Biochemistry
P
26.1501
Special Major: Neuroscience
P
27.0101
Mathematics
D
30.0501
Peace and Conflict Studies
I
30.1301
Medieval Studies
I
30.2202
Classical Studies
D
30.2501
Special Major: Cognitive Science
S
38.0101
Philosophy
D
38.0201
Religion
D
38.0205
Special Major: Islamic Studies
S
40.0201
Astronomy
D
40.0202
Special Major: Astrophysics
P
40.0501
Chemist ry
D
40.0508
Special Major: Chemical Physics
P
40.0801
Physics
D
Swarthmore College Office of Institutional Research--Page 39 of 47
Common Data Set 2020-2021
42.2706
Special Major: Psychobiology
P
42.2799
Psychology
D
45.0601
Economics
D
45.1001
Political Science
D
45.1301
Sociology & Anthropology
D
45.9999
Special Major: Medical Anthropology
P
50.0301
Dance
D
50.0501
Theater
D
50.0699
Film and Media St udies
D
50.0702
Art
D
50.0703
Art History
D
50.0901
Music
D
54.0101
Hist ory
D
Additional Individual Special Majors by design
K-4. Athletics.
Membership: NCAA Division III; Centennial Conference
Nickname: Garne t Mascot: Phoe nix
NOTE: Swarthmore doe s not award any Athletic Scholarships
Athletic Opportunities sponsored by Athletics*
Intercollegiate
Intramural
Cl ub S por ts
Me n
Women
Me n
Women
Me n
Women
Badminton
Baseball
Basketball
Cros s -country
Fencing
Field hockey
Go lf
Kickball
Lacrosse
Rugby
Soccer
Softball
Swimmin g
Tennis
Track & Field
(Indoor)
Track & Field
(Outdoor)
Ultimate (Frisbee)
Volleyball
*There are many other athletic opportunities available through Student Activity Groups, a list of which can be
found at https://www.swarthmore.edu/living-swarthmore/swarthmores-student-organizations
Swarthmore College Office of Institutional Research--Page 40 of 47
Common Data Set 2020-2021
Common Data Set Definitions
♦ All de finitions re lated to th e fi nancial ai d section appe ar at the e nd of the De finition s document.
♦ Items preceded by an asterisk (*) represent definitions agreed to among publishers which do not appear on the CDS document but m ay
be present on individual publishers’ surveys.
*Academic advisement: Plan under which each student is assigned to a faculty member or a trained adviser, who, through regular meetings,
helps the student plan and implement immediate and long-term academic and vocational goals.
Accelerated program: Completion of a college program of study in fewer than the usual number of years, most oft en by at t ending summer
sessions and carrying extra courses during the regular academic term.
Admitted student: Applicant who is offered admission to a degree-grant ing program at your institution.
*Adult student services: Admission assist ance, support, orientation, and other services expressly for adults who have started college for the
first time, or who are re-entering after a lapse of a few years.
Ame ri can Indian or Alaska Native: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of North and South America (including Central
America) and maintaining tribal affiliation or community attachment.
Applicant (first-time, first year): An individual who has fulfilled the institution’s requirements to be considered for admission (including
payment or waiving of the application fee, if any) and who has been notified of one of the following actions: admission, nonadmission,
placement on waiting list, or application withdrawn (by applicant or institution).
Appl i cati on fe e: That amount of money that an institution charges for processing a student’s application for acceptance. T his amount is not
creditable toward tuition and required fees, nor is it refundable if the student is not admitted to the institution.
Asian: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent, including, for
example, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Associate degree: An award that normally requires at least two but less than four years of full-time equivalent college work.
Bachelor’s degree: An award (baccalaureate or equivalent degree, as determined by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education) that
normally requires at least four years but not more than five years of full-time equivalent college-level work. T his includes ALL bachelor’s
degrees conferred in a five-year cooperative (work-study plan) program. (A cooperative plan provides for alternate class attendance and
employment in business, industry, or government; thus, it allows students to combine actual work experience with their college studies.)
Also, it includes bachelor’s degrees in which the normal four years of work are completed in three years.
Black or African American: A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa.
Board (charges): Assume average cost for 19 meals per week or the maximum meal plan.
Books and supplies (costs): Average cost of books and supplies. Do not include unusual costs for special groups of st udent s (e.g., engineering
or art majors), unless they constitute the majority of students at your institution.
Calendar system: The method by which an institution structures most of its courses for the academic year.
Campus Ministry: Religious st udent organizations (denominational or nondenominational) devoted to fostering religious life on college
campuses. May also refer to Campus Crusade for Christ, an interdenominational Christian organization.
*Career and placement services: A range of services, including (often) the following: coordination of visits of employers to campus;
aptitude and vocational testing; int erest inventories, personal counseling; help in resume writing, interviewing, launching the job search;
list ings for those st udent s desiring employment and those seeking permanent positions; establishment of a permanent reference folder; career
resource materials.
Carne gie units: One year of study or the equivalent in a secondary school subject.
Certificate: See Postsecondary award, certificate, or diploma.
Class rank: The relative numerical position of a student in his or her graduating class, calculated by the high school on the basis of grade-
point average, whether weighted or unweighted.
College-preparatory program: Courses in academic subjects (English, history and social studies, foreign languages, mathematics, science,
and the arts) that stress preparation for college or university study.
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Common Data Set 2020-2021
Common Appl i cation: The standard application form distributed by the National Association of Secondary School Principals for a large
number of private colleges who are members of the Common Application Group.
*Community service program: Referral center for students wishing to perform volunteer work in the community or participate in volunteer
activities coordinated by academic departments.
Commuter: A student who lives off campus in housing that is not owned by, operated by, or affiliated with the college. T his category
includes students who commute from home and students who have moved to the area to attend college.
Clock h our: A unit of measure that represents an hour of scheduled instruction given to students. Also referred to as contact hour.
Conti nuous basis (for program e nrollment): A calendar system classification that is used by institutions that enroll students at any time
during the academic year. For example, a cosmetology school or a word processing school might allow students to enroll and begin st udies
at various times, with no requirement that classes begin on a certain date.
Cooperative e ducation program: A program that provides for alternate class attendance and employment in business, indust ry, or
government.
Cooperative housing: College-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing in which students share room and board expenses and participate in
household chores to reduce living expenses.
*Counseling se rvice: Activities designed to assist students in making plans and decisions related to their education, career, or personal
development.
Credit: Recognition of attendance or performance in an instructional activity (course or program) that can be applied by a recipient toward
the requirements for a degree, diploma, certificate, or recognized postsecondary credential.
Cre dit course: A course that, if successfully completed, can be applied toward the number of courses required for achieving a degree,
diploma, certificate, or other recognized postsecondary credential.
Cre dit hour: A unit of measure representing an hour (50 minutes) of instruction over a 15-week period in a semester or trimester system or
a 10-week period in a quarter system. It is applied toward the total number of hours needed for completing the requirements of a degree,
diploma, certificate, or recognized postsecondary credential.
Cross-registration: A system whereby students enrolled at one institution may take courses at another institution without having to apply to
the second institution.
De fe rre d admission: The practice of permitting admitted students to postpone enrollment, usually for a period of one academic term or one
year.
Degree: An award conferred by a college, university, or other postsecondary education institution as official recognition for the successful
completion of a program of studies.
Degree-seeking students: Students enrolled in courses for credit who are recognized by the institution as seeking a degree or recognized
postsecondary credential. At the undergraduate level, this is intended to include students enrolled in vocational or occupational programs.
Differs by program (calendar system): A calendar system classification that is used by institutions that have occupational/vocational
programs of varying length. T hese schools may enroll students at specific times depending on the program desired. For example, a school
might offer a two-month program in January, March, May, September, and November; and a three-mont h program in January, April, and
October.
Diploma: See Postsecondary award, certificate, or diploma.
Distance learning: An option for earning course credit at off-campus locations via cable television, internet, satellite classes, videotapes,
correspondence courses, or other means.
Doctor’s degree-research/scholarship: A Ph.D. or other doctor's degree that requires advanced work beyond the master’s level, including
the preparation and defense of a dissertation based on original research, or the planning and execution of an original project demonst rat ing
substantial artistic or scholarly achievement. Some examples of this type of degree may include Ed.D., D.M.A., D.B.A., D.Sc., D.A., or D.M,
and others, as designated by the awarding institution.
Doctor’s degree-professional practice: A doctor’s degree that is conferred upon completion of a program providing the knowledge and
skills for the recognition, credential, or license required for professional practice. T he degree is awarded after a period of study such that the
t ot al t ime t o t he degree, including bot h pre-professional and professional preparation, equals at least six full-time equivalent academic years.
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Common Data Set 2020-2021
Some of these degrees were formerly classified as “first-professional” and may include: Chiropractic (D.C. or D.C.M.); Dentistry (D.D.S. or
D.M.D.); Law (L.L.B. or J.D.); Medicine (M.D.); Optometry (O.D.); Osteopathic Medicine (D.O); Pharmacy (Pharm.D.); Podiatry (D.P.M.,
Pod.D., D.P.); or, Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.), and others, as designated by the awarding institution.
Doctor’s degree-other: A doctor’s degree that does not meet the definition of a doctor’s degree - research/scholarship or a doctor’s degree
- professional practice.
Double major: Program in which students may complete two undergraduate programs of study simultaneously.
Dual enrollment: A program through which high school students may enroll in college courses while still enrolled in high school. Students
are not required to apply for admission to the college in order to participate.
Early action plan: An admission plan that allows students to apply and be notified of an admission decision well in advance of the regular
notification dates. If admitted, the candidate is not committed to enroll; the student may reply to the offer under the college’s regular reply
policy.
Early admission: A policy under which students who have not completed high school are admitted and enroll full time in college, usually
after completion of their junior year.
Early decision plan: A plan that permits students to apply and be notified of an admission decision (and financial aid offer if applicable)
well in advance of the regular notification date. Applicants agree to accept an offer of admission and, if admitted, to withdraw their
applications from other colleges. There are three possible decisions for early decision applicants: admitted, denied, or not admit t ed but
forwarded for consideration with the regular applicant pool, without prejudice.
English as a Second Language (ESL): A course of study designed specifically for students whose native language is not English.
Exchange student program-domestic: Any arrangement between a student and a college that permits study for a semester or more at another
college in the United States without extending the amount of time required for a degree. See also Study abroad.
External degree program: A program of study in which students earn credits toward a degree through independent study, college courses,
proficiency examinations, and personal experience. External degree programs require minimal or no classroom attendance.
Extracurricular activities (as admission factor): Special consideration in the admissions process given for participation in both school and
nonschool-related activities of interest to the college, such as clubs, hobbies, student government, athletics, performing arts, etc.
Fi rs t -time student: A student attending any institution for the first time at the level enrolled. Includes students enrolled in the fall term who
attended a postsecondary institution for the first time at the same level in the prior summer term. Also includes students who entered with
advanced standing (college credit earned before graduation from high school).
Fi rs t -time, first-year (freshman) student: A st udent at t ending any inst it ut ion for t he first t ime at t he undergraduat e level. Includes st udent s
enrolled in the fall term who attended college for the first time in the prior summer term. Also includes students who entered with advanced
standing (college credits earned before graduation from high school).
Fi rs t -ye ar student: A student who has completed less than the equivalent of 1 full year of undergraduate work; that is, less than 30 semester
hours (in a 120-hour degree program) or less than 900 clock hours.
Freshman: A first-y ear undergraduat e st udent .
*Fre shman/new studen t ori entation: Orientation addressing the academic, social, emotional, and intellectual issues involved in beginning
college. May be a few hours or a few days in length; at some colleges, there is a fee.
Fu l l -time stude nt (unde rgraduate): A student enrolled for 12 or more semester credits, 12 or more quarter credits, or 24 or more clock
hours a week each term.
Geographical residence (as admission factor): Special consideration in the admission process given to students from a particular region,
state, or country of residence.
Grade -point average (academic high school GPA): The sum of grade points a student has earned in secondary school divided by t he
number of courses taken. The most common system of assigning numbers to grades counts four points for an A, three points for a B , t wo
points for a C, one point for a D, and no points for an E or F. Unweighted GPA’s assign the same weight to each course. Weighting gives
students additional points for their grades in advanced or honors courses.
Graduate stude nt: A student who holds a bachelor’s or equivalent, and is taking courses at the post-baccalaureate level.
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Common Data Set 2020-2021
*Health services: Free or low cost on-campus primary and preventive health care available to students.
High school diploma or recognized equivalent: A document certifying the successful completion of a prescribed secondary school program
of studies, or the attainment of satisfactory scores on the Tests of General Educational Development (GED), or another state-specified
examination.
Hispanic or Latino: A person of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless
of race.
Honors program: Any special program for very able students offering the opportunity for educational enrichment, independent study,
acceleration, or some combination of these.
Inde pe nde nt study: Academic work chosen or designed by the student with the approval of the department concerned, under an instructor’s
supervision, and usually undertaken outside of the regular classroom structure.
In-state tuition: The tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state’s or institution’s residency requirements.
International student: Se e Nonre sident alien.
Inte rnational student group: Student groups that facilitate cultural dialogue, support a diverse campus, assist international students in
acclimation and creating a social network.
Inte rnship: Any short-term, supervised work experience usually related to a student’s major field, for which the student earns academic
credit. The work can be full- or part-time, on- or off-campus, paid or unpaid.
*Le arning center: Center offering assistance through tutors, workshops, computer programs, or audiovisual equipment in reading, writing,
math, and skills such as taking notes, managing time, taking tests.
*Le gal services: Free or low cost legal advice for a range of issues (personal and other).
Liberal arts/career combination: Program in which a student earns undergraduate degrees in two separate fields, one in a liberal arts major
and the other in a professional or specialized major, whether on campus or through cross-registration.
Mas te r's degree: An award that requires the successful completion of a program of study of generally one or two full-time equivalent
academic years of work beyond the bachelor's degree. Some of these degrees, such as those in T heology (M.Div., M.H.L./Rav) that were
formerly classified as "first-professional", may require more than two full-time equivalent academic years of work.
Minority affiliation (as admission factor): Special consideration in the admission process for members of designated racial/ethnic minority
groups.
*Minority student center: Center with programs, activities, and/or services intended to enhance the college experience of students of color.
Mode l Unite d Nations: A simulation activity focusing on conflict resolution, globalization, and diplomacy. Assuming roles as foreign
ambassadors and “delegates,” students conduct research, engage in debate, draft resolutions, and may participate in a national Model UN
conference.
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacifi c
Islands.
Nonre sident alien: A person who is not a citizen or national of the United States and who is in this country on a visa or temporary basis and
does not have the right to remain indefinitely.
*On-campus day care: Licensed day care for students’ children (usually age 3 and up); usually for a fee.
O pe n admission: Admission policy under which virtually all secondary school graduates or students with GED equivalency diplomas are
admitted without regard to academic record, test scores, or other qualifications.
Other expenses (costs): Include average costs for clothing, laundry, entertainment, medical (if not a required fee), and furnishings.
Out-of-state tuition: The tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the institution’s or state’s residency requirements.
Part-time student (undergraduate): A student enrolled for fewer than 12 credits per semester or quarter, or fewer than 24 clock hours a
week each term.
*Pe rsonal counseling: One-on-one or group counseling with trained professionals for students who want to explore personal, educational,
or vocational issues.
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Common Data Set 2020-2021
Post-baccalaureate certificate: An award that requires completion of an organized program of study requiring 18 credit hours beyond the
bachelor’s; designed for persons who have completed a baccalaureate degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying
the title of master.
Post-master’s certificate: An award that requires completion of an organized program of study of 24 credit hours beyond the master’s degree
but does not meet the requirements of academic degrees at the doctoral level.
Postsecondary award, certificate, or diploma: Includes the following three IPEDS definitions for postsecondary awards, certificates, and
diplomas of varying durations and credit/contact/clock hour requirement s:
Less Than 1 Academic Year: Requires completion of an organized program of study at the postsecondary level (below the
baccalaureate degree) in less than 1 academic year (2 semesters or 3 quarters) or in less than 900 clock hours by a st udent enrolled
full-time.
At Least 1 But Less Than 2 Academic Years: Requires completion of an organized program of study at the postsecondary level
(below the baccalaureate degree) in at least 1 but less than 2 full-time equivalent academic years, or designed for completion in at
least 30 but less than 60 credit hours, or in at least 900 but less than 1,800 clock hours.
At Least 2 But Less Than 4 Academic Years: Requires completion of an organized program of study at the postsecondary level
(below the baccalaureate degree) in at least 2 but less than 4 full-time equivalent academic years, or designed for completion in at
least 60 but less than 120 credit hours, or in at least 1,800 but less than 3,600 clock hours.
Pri va te i n s ti tu tion: An educational institution controlled by a private individual(s) or by a nongovernmental agency, usually supported
primarily by other than public funds, and operated by other than publicly elected or appointed officials.
Private for-profit institution: A private institution in which the individual(s) or agency in control receives compensation, other than wages,
rent, or other expenses for the assumption of risk.
Pri va te n o n pro fi t i ns ti tu tio n: A private institution in which the individual(s) or agency in control receives no compensation, other than
wages, rent, or other expenses for the assumption of risk. These include both independent nonprofit schools and those affiliated with a
religious organization.
Proprietary institution: See Private for-pro fit i ns ti tu tio n.
Public institution: An educational institution whose programs and activities are operated by publicly elected or appointed school officials,
and which is supported primarily by public funds.
Q uarter calendar system: A calendar system in which the academic year consists of three sessions called quarters of about 12 weeks each.
The range may be from 10 to 15 weeks. There may be an additional quarter in the summer.
Race /ethnicity: Category used to describe groups to which individuals belong, identify with, or belong in the eyes of the community. The
categories do not denote scientific definitions of anthropological origins. A person may be counted in only one group.
Race /ethnicity unknown: Category used to classify students or employees whose race/ethnicity is not known and whom institutions are
unable to place in one of the specified racial/ethnic categories.
Recognized Postsecondary Credential: Includes both T itle IV eligible degrees, certificates, and other recognized postsecondary credentials.
Any credential that is received after completion of a program that is eligible for Title IV federal student aid. Credentials that are awarded to
recognize an individual’s attainment of measurable technical or industry/occupational skills necessary to obtain employment or advance
within an industry occupation. (Generally based on standards developed or endorsed by employers or industry associations).
Religious affiliation/commitment (as admission factor): Special consideration given in the admission process for affiliation with a certain
church or faith/religion, commitment to a religious vocation, or observance of certain religious t enets/lifestyle.
*Religious counseling: One-on-one or group counseling with trained professionals for students who want to explore religious problems or
issues.
*Remedial services: Instructional courses designed for students deficient in the general competencies necessary for a regular postsecondary
curriculum and educational setting.
Require d fees: Fixed sum charged t o st udent s for it ems not covered by t uit ion an d required of such a large p roport ion of all st udent s t hat the
st udent who does NOT pay is the exception. Do not include application fees or optional fees such as lab fees or parking fees.
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Common Data Set 2020-2021
Re sident alien or other e ligible non-citizen: A person who is not a citizen or national of the United States and who has been admitted as a
legal immigrant for the purpose of obtaining permanent resident alien status (and who holds either an alien registration card [Form I-551 or
I-151], a Temporary Resident Card [Form I-688], or an Arrival-Departure Record [Form I-94] with a notation that conveys legal immigrant
status, such as Section 207 Refugee, Section 208 Asylee, Conditional Entrant Parolee or Cuban-Haitian).
Room and board (charges)—on cam pus: Assume double occupancy in institutional housing and 19 meals per week (or maximum meal
plan).
Secondary school record (as admission factor): Information maintained by the secondary school that may include such things as the
student’s high school transcript, class rank, GPA, and teacher and counselor recommendations.
Semester calendar system: A calendar system that consists of two semesters during the academic year with about 16 weeks for each semester
of instruction. T here may be an additional summer session.
Student-de signed m ajor: A program of st udy based on individual int erest s, designed wit h t he assistance of an adviser.
Study abroad: Any arrangement by which a student completes part of the college program studying in another country. Can be at a campus
abroad or through a cooperative agreement with some other U.S. college or an institution of another country.
*Summer session: A summer session is shorter than a regular semester and not considered part of the academic year. It is not the third term
of an institution operating on a trimester system or the fourth term of an institution operating on a quarter calendar system. T he institution
may have 2 or more sessions occurring in the summer months. Some schools, such as vocational and beauty schools, have year-round classes
with no separate summer session.
Talent/ability (as admission factor): Sp e c ial consideration given to students with demonstrated talent/abilities in areas of interest to the
institution (e.g., sports, the arts, languages, etc.).
Teacher certification program: Program designed to prepare students to meet the requirements for certification as teachers in elementary,
middle/junior high, and secondary schools.
Tran sfe r appl icant: An individual who has fulfilled the institution’s requirements to be considered for admission (including payment or
waiving of the application fee, if any) and who has previously attended another college or university and earned college-level credit.
Transfer student: A student entering the institution for the first time but known to have previously attended a postsecondary institution at
the same level (e.g., undergraduate). The student may transfer with or without credit.
Transportation (costs): Assume two round trips to student’s hometown per year for students in institutional housing or daily travel to and
from your institution for commuter students.
Tr i m ester calendar system: An academic year consisting of 3 terms of about 15 weeks each.
Tuition: Amount of money charged to students for instructional services. Tuition may be charged per term, per course, or per credit.
*Tutoring: May range from one-on-one tutoring in specific subjects to tutoring in an area such as math, reading, or writing. Most tutors are
college students; at some colleges, they are specially trained and certified.
Unit: a standard of measurement representing hours of academic instruction (e.g., semester credit, quarter credit, clock hour).
Undergraduate: A student enrolled in a four- or five-year bachelor’s degree program, an associate degree program, or a vocational or
technical program below the baccalaureate.
*Veteran’s counseling: Helps veterans and their dependents obtain benefits for their selected program and provides certifications to the
Vet eran’s Administration. May also provide personal counseling on the transition from the military to a civilian life.
*Visually impaired: Any person whose sight loss is not correctable and is sufficiently severe as to adversely affect educational performance.
Volunteer work (as admission factor): Special consideration given to students for activity done on a volunteer basis (e.g., tutoring, hospital
care, working with the elderly or disabled) as a service to the community or the public in general.
Wait list: List of students who meet the admission requirements but will only be offered a place in the class if space becomes available.
Weekend college: A program that allows students to take a complete course of study and attend classes only on weekends.
White: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa.
*Women’s ce nter: Center with programs, academic activities, and/or services intended to promote an understanding of the evolving roles
of women.
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Common Data Set 2020-2021
Work experience (as admission factor): Special consideration given to students who have been employed prior to application, whether for
relevance to major, demonstration of employment-related skills, or as explanation of student’s academic and extracurricular record.
Financial Aid Definitions
External scholarships and grants: Scholarships and grants received from outside (private) sources that st udent s brin g wit h t hem (e.g.,
Kiwanis, National Merit scholarships). T he institution may process paperwork to receive the dollars, but it has no role in determining the
recipient or the dollar amount awarded.
Financial aid applicant: Any applicant who submit s any one of the institutionally required financial aid applications/forms, such as the
FAFSA.
Inde bte dness: Aggregat e dollar amount borrowed through any loan program (federal, state, subsidized, unsubsidized, private, etc.; excluding
parent loans) while the student was enrolled at an institution. Student loans co-signed by a parent are assumed to be the responsibility of the
st udent and should be included.
Institutional scholarships and grants: Endowed scholarships, annual gifts and tuition funded grant s for which t he in st it ut io n det ermines
the recipient.
Financial need: As determined by your institution using the federal methodology and/or your institution's own standards.
Need-based aid: College-funded or college-administered award from institutional, state, federal, or other sources for which a student must
have financial need to qualify. T his includes both institutional and non-inst it ut ional st udent aid (grant s, jobs, and loans).
Need-based scholarship or grant aid: Scholarships and grants from institutional, state, federal, or other sources for which a student must
have financial need to qualify.
Need-based se lf-help ai d: Loans and jobs from institutional, state, federal, or other sources for which a student must demonstrate financial
need t o qualify.
Non-need-based scholarship or grant ai d: Scholarships and grants, gifts, or merit-based aid from institutional, state, federal, or other
sources (including unrestricted funds or gifts and endowment income) awarded solely on the basis of academic achievement, merit, or any
other non-need-based reason. When reporting questions H1 and H2, non-need-based aid that is used to meet need should be counted as need-
based aid.
Note: Suggested order of precedence for counting non-need money as need-based:
10. Non-need institutional grants
11. Non-need tuition waivers
12. Non-need athletic awards
13. Non-need federal grants
14. Non-need state grants
15. Non-need out side gran t s
16. Non-need student loans
17. Non-need parent loans
18. Non-need work
Non-need-based se lf-help aid: Loans and jobs from institutional, state, or other sources for which a student need not demonstrate financial
need t o qualify.
Work study an d e mployment: Federal and state work study aid, and any employment packaged by your institution in financial aid awards.
Swarthmore College Office of Institutional Research--Page 47 of 47
