AP Credit
Swarthmore AP Credit
Swarthmore lists 11 of the 12 common AP exams here for credit, in most cases only after a follow-up course at Swarthmore.
Lowest score accepted
4
Limit on AP credit
None stated on the page
Chart applies to
College-wide, set department by department
Most departments award the credit only after you complete a related Swarthmore course or pass a department exam.
What each AP exam earns at Swarthmore
Twelve common exams. An exam is left out when Swarthmore’s page does not name it.
| AP exam | Lowest score | What it earns | With a 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calculus AB | 4 | 1 credit, equals MATH 015 | Same |
| Calculus BC | 4 | 2 credits, equals MATH 015 and MATH 025 | Same |
| English Language and Composition | None | No credit | |
| English Literature and Composition | 5 | 1 credit after completing one English course (ENGL 009 or higher) | Same |
| United States History | 4 | 1 credit after passing a Swarthmore history course with a C or better | Same |
| Biology | 5 | 1 credit after completing one Swarthmore biology course with lab | Same |
| Chemistry | 5 | No credit; direct access to the CHEM 010 placement exam | Same |
| Physics C: Mechanics | 5 | 1 credit, equals PHYS 003, if you pass a department test | Same |
| Computer Science A | 4 | 1 credit after completing one Swarthmore computer science course | Same |
| Statistics | 4 | 1 credit, equals STAT 011 | Same |
| Psychology | 5 | No credit; possible placement out of Intro Psychology | Same |
| Spanish Language and Culture | 4 | 1 credit after completing a Spanish course at the College | Same |
“Each department sets its own policy about awarding credit or advanced standing, and some departments require a placement examination or a course taken at Swarthmore to validate a student's previous work.”
Frequently asked questions
Does Swarthmore accept AP credit?
Swarthmore lists 11 of the 12 common AP exams here for credit, in most cases only after a follow-up course at Swarthmore. Most departments award the credit only after you complete a related Swarthmore course or pass a department exam.
What AP score do you need at Swarthmore?
The lowest score that earns anything on the non-language exams listed here is a 4. The score needed differs by exam, so check the row for each one.
Read from Swarthmore’s own page and last checked 2026-10-08. Colleges change these charts, and rules can differ by school within a university, so confirm with the official page before you plan around it.
