Smith College
A good fit for competitive applicants and students who prefer a mid-size campus. no major red flags in the data. strong 89% graduation rate; generous financial aid cuts net price well below sticker.
About This School
Smith College is a private nonprofit institution located in Northampton, Massachusetts with approximately 2,544 undergraduate students enrolled. The school is moderately selective, accepting approximately 21% of applicants. The average net price after financial aid is $27,579 per year. The graduation rate is 89%, and the typical graduate earns $51,100 within 10 years of enrollment.
Smith College is a private liberal arts women's college in Northampton, Massachusetts, United States. It was chartered in 1871 by Sophia Smith and opened in 1875. It is a member of the historic Seven Sisters colleges, a group of women's colleges in the Northeastern United States. Smith is also a member of the Five College Consortium with four other institutions in the Pioneer Valley: Mount Holyoke College, Amherst College, Hampshire College, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst; students of each college are allowed to attend classes at any other member institution. On campus are Smith's Museum of Art and Botanic Garden, the latter designed by Frederick Law Olmsted.
This is a strong option for students who want a rigorous liberal arts education in a tight-knit women's college setting — the 90% graduation rate and low median debt of $13,500 signal that students who enroll tend to finish and finish without being buried financially. The Five College Consortium with Amherst, Mount Holyoke, Hampshire, and UMass Amherst meaningfully expands course options and social life, which helps offset the small undergraduate enrollment of about 2,500. The one honest concern: median earnings of $51,100 at the 10-year mark are modest for a selective school with a 20% acceptance rate, so students should think carefully about career planning rather than assuming the degree alone opens high-earning doors.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Smith College in the news
Posts that mention Smith College (or its abbreviation) by name.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2,544 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in Massachusetts
University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Amherst, MA · Public
Boston University
Boston, MA · Private nonprofit
Northeastern University
Boston, MA · Private nonprofit
University of Massachusetts-Boston
Boston, MA · Public
University of Massachusetts-Lowell
Lowell, MA · Public
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA · Private nonprofit
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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