Amherst vs. Smith College

Comparable Facts

Compare Amherst College in Amherst, MA with Smith College in Northampton, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Smith College is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (2,857 students vs. 1,914 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Smith College is in Northampton, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Smith College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; Smith College 8:1.

Amherst vs. Smith College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Amherst or Smith College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Amherst College than Smith College ($19,049 vs. $27,305).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Amherst College are 18.5% lower than at Smith College ($18,390 vs. $22,570).
• Amherst College is 8.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Smith College (about $5,302 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $65,178.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.1% higher at Amherst than at Smith College (about $5,302 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $65,178.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Smith College than at Amherst College (67% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 16.8% larger than aid received by Smith College students ($68,591 vs. $58,725).

Amherst vs. Smith College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Amherst or Smith College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Smith College and Amherst.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Amherst College (1540) is 60 points higher than at Smith College (1480).
• Incoming Amherst students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at Smith College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 1490/1580; Smith College 1420/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 33/35; Smith College 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Amherst - Test optional; Smith College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Smith College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Smith College students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Amherst (3.91).
• Smith College has a higher acceptance rate (21%) than Amherst (9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 35.4% at Smith College.

Amherst vs. Smith College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Amherst and Smith College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Amherst College's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Smith College's (85%).
• Graduates from Amherst College earn a median of about $33,100 more per year than Smith College graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,000 vs. $48,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $6,025 lower median loan debt than Smith College graduates ($12,975 vs. $19,000).
• Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Smith College graduates ($134 vs. $196).
• More Amherst graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Smith College students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 80%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.