Bryn Mawr opened in 1885 as a women's college that treated women's academic ambitions seriously when many colleges didn't, and it was the first US women's college to offer doctoral degrees. The undergraduate college is still a women's college, while its graduate schools admit everyone. Its Collegiate Gothic buildings sit on Philadelphia's Main Line. Students can also take classes at Haverford, Swarthmore and the University of Pennsylvania.
Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, United States
Official website: brynmawr.edu
1885
Women's liberal arts college
Tri-College with Haverford and Swarthmore
Philadelphia's Main Line
$64,000 – $68,000
Undergraduate tuition and fees before aid
$19,000 – $22,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on brynmawr.edu before you apply.
BA Mathematics
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
TOEFL: 100, IELTS: 7.0
BA Economics
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
TOEFL: 100, IELTS: 7.0
BA Biology
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
TOEFL: 100, IELTS: 7.0
BA Computer Science
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
TOEFL: 100, IELTS: 7.0
Master of Social Service (MSS)
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
TOEFL: 100, IELTS: 7.0
Cross-registration with Haverford, Swarthmore and the University of Pennsylvania.
Collegiate Gothic buildings and a strong tradition of student self-government.
A long history of women in maths and the sciences.
Many graduates go on to PhD programmes, medicine and law.
Economics and maths graduates join finance and consulting firms in Philadelphia and New York.
F-1 graduates can apply for OPT after their degree.
Undergrad
Main intake
Postgrad
Graduate schools
The campus is a short walk from Bryn Mawr station on SEPTA's Paoli/Thorndale line, and a shuttle bus runs to Haverford's campus. The town has cafés, a film institute and a hospital.
Center City Philadelphia is about 25 minutes by train. The Main Line is affluent and quiet, and most students live on campus.
Form I-20 issued by Bryn Mawr College
Proof of funds for one academic year
SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
Completed DS-160 online application
US embassy or consulate interview
Passport valid six months beyond stay
Bryn Mawr has early decision in the autumn and regular decision in January. International applicants use the Common App with school reports, recommendations and English results. The graduate schools set their own deadlines.
Undergraduates start in August, as do most graduate students.
It's the F-1 student visa. Get your I-20 from Bryn Mawr College first (they need your deposit and bank documents), then pay the SEVIS fee, complete the DS-160 and attend the visa interview. Book the interview early in peak season.
Mathematics, economics, biology, computer science and the social work master's are popular. Admission looks at school results, essays and recommendations, with English scores for non-native speakers. SAT and ACT scores are optional.
Bryn Mawr gives need-based aid to international undergraduates, but aided places are limited and competitive. Apply for aid at the same time as admission.
