Smith College
#1 Best Colleges for Building Social Capital- Graduation Rate
- 89% A
- Most students who enroll finish their degree here
- Earnings (10yr)
- $64,027 A-
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $27,579 D
- 61% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 21% A
- Admits roughly 21% — highly selective
Bottom line: A B- overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 18.7× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $18.7 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Best Colleges for Building Social Capital.
Every $1 spent returns $18.7 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,947,350.
What The Data Says
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A B- overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Graduates earn 57% more than the national college median.
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A 89% graduation rate — 56% above the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $18.7 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- Inventor Rate
- 0.4%
- Top 50%
- Patents
- 7
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 13
- Downstream influence
Why Smith College Matters
Smith College is a private liberal arts college in Northampton, MA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by selective admissions and a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Liberal Arts College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate · Arts & Sciences
- Enrollment
- 2,544
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical, Physical Sciences, Computer Science & IT
Why students choose Smith College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Selective — admits about 21% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1420–1540. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $27,579 a year after grants and scholarships — 61% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $64,027 ten years after enrolling — 57% above the typical college, against $17,550 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.9% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 32% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.79 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Smith College is a great fit for students who are looking for a strong liberal arts education with a focus on personal growth and leadership. With an acceptance rate of 21%, this private nonprofit institution has a close-knit community of around 2,544 students. It stands out in fields like Social Sciences, Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Psychology, Visual and Performing Arts, and Engineering, making it a solid choice for those eager to explore a diverse array of academic interests.
After graduation, students can expect to earn an average of $64,027 ten years out, which gives a good indication of the return on investment for their education. The graduation rate is impressive at 89%, suggesting that most students successfully complete their degrees. This high completion rate often correlates with upward mobility, even if specific mobility data isn’t available. For many, the affordability factor is crucial, especially with a median debt of $17,550, which is manageable compared to average earnings.
When it comes to the financial aspects, the net price after aid is about $27,579, making it essential for students to consider their financial plans carefully. Those who thrive here tend to be motivated individuals looking for an enriching academic environment where they can engage deeply with their studies and peers. The supportive atmosphere at Smith College fosters not just academic success but also personal development, preparing graduates for a fulfilling life beyond college.
Rankings
- #1 Best Colleges for Building Social Capital
- #6 Best Bachelor's Programs in Massachusetts
- #6 Best Master's Programs in Massachusetts
- #7 Best Colleges in Massachusetts
- #7 Best Biology Colleges in Massachusetts
- #8 Best Psychology Colleges in Massachusetts
- #9 Best Computer Science Colleges in Massachusetts
- #9 Best Engineering Colleges in Massachusetts
Can I Get In?
How selective Smith College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Smith College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Smith College, located in Northampton, Massachusetts, sets a competitive bar: about 21% of applicants get an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,500. The graduation rate is roughly 89%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 21%
- Retention Rate
- 94%
- SAT Average
- 1500
- ACT Midpoint
- 33
- SAT Range
- 1420–1540
- ACT Range
- 32–35
- Full-Time Faculty
- 87%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $13,076
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 8:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.70
- First-Gen Students
- 19%
- Applicants
- 7,269
- Admitted
- 1,662
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Smith College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Smith College is $65,178, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $27,579. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $1,363 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $17,550 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $65,178
- Out-of-State
- $65,178
- Avg Net Price
- $27,579
- Median Debt
- $17,550
- Pell Grant Rate
- 18%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 14%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $1,363
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $3,737
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $6,559
- Family Income $110K+
- $40,477
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Smith College — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Smith College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Smith College earn a median of $64,027, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $45,731
- 8 Years
- $57,322
- 10 Years
- $64,027
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.27x
- Earning > $25K
- 64%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (508)
- 82%
- 100% (508)
- 82%
- 100% (508)
- 82%
- 100% (508)
- 82%
How Smith Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Smith College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Smith College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $27,579/year ($110,316 total). Graduates earn $64,027 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $2,057,666 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,947,350 (18.7× your investment). The median debt is $17,550, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 89% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $110,316
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $2,057,666
- Net Return
- $1,947,350
- ROI Multiple
- 18.7×
- Cost Per Year
- $27,579
- Median Debt
- $17,550
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 89%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Smith College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Smith College is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.88%, well above the typical college. About 5% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 37.5% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $114,900, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.88%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 37.5%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 5.0%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $156,109
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
Smith College produces inventors at a measurable rate, with 7 patents tied to its graduates.
- Inventor Rate
- 0.45%
- Top 50% nationally
- Patents Produced
- 7
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 13
- Downstream influence
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $883,246
- Investment Income
- $-14,586,532
Top Programs
The fields Smith College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Social Sciences 16% $56,617 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 10% $41,115 early-career
- Physical Sciences 8% $50,714 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 8% $85,499 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 7% $27,119 early-career
- Psychology 6% $22,060 early-career
- English & Literature 6% $39,121 early-career
- Engineering 4% $74,257 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Smith College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- CPhysicist$142,850 · 5% growthAdaptable 66
- CAstronomer$142,850 · 4% growthAdaptable 66
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Smith College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Smith College, located in Northampton, Massachusetts, sets a competitive bar: about 21% of applicants get an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,500. The graduation rate is roughly 89%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Smith College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Smith College is $65,178, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $27,579. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $1,363 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $17,550 in federal student loans.
Is Smith College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Smith College earn a median of $64,027, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Smith College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Smith College is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.88%, well above the typical college. About 5% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 37.5% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $114,900, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Smith College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Smith College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.79, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 27% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Does Smith College offer Early Decision?
No. Smith College does not report a binding Early Decision plan (2024-25 Common Data Set).
Compare Smith College
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Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Smith College.
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- Colorado CollegeColorado Springs, CO · Close peer87% grad $65,222 earn 18% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Wesleyan UniversityMiddletown, CT · Close peer92% grad $73,897 earn 16% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar net price
- Clark UniversityWorcester, MA · Close peer77% grad $62,381 earn 40% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
- Trinity UniversitySan Antonio, TX · Close peer83% grad $71,668 earn 26% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Smith College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Smith College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.79, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 27% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note