Hampshire College vs. Smith College

Comparable Facts

Compare Hampshire 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 Hampshire College based on total student enrollment (2,857 students vs. 844 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hampshire College is located in Amherst, MA (Rural Fringe setting); Smith College is in Northampton, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Hampshire College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Smith College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Hampshire College 13:1; Smith College 8:1.

Hampshire College vs. Smith College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hampshire College 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 Smith College than Hampshire College ($27,305 vs. $27,895).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hampshire College are 29.3% lower than at Smith College ($15,958 vs. $22,570).
• Smith College is 10.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Hampshire College (about $6,282 more per year; $65,178.00 vs. $58,896.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.7% higher at Smith College than at Hampshire College (about $6,282 more per year; $65,178.00 vs. $58,896.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hampshire College than at Smith College (100% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Smith College students is 27.3% larger than aid received by Hampshire College students ($58,725 vs. $46,145).

Hampshire College vs. Smith College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Hampshire College 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 Hampshire College.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSmith College 1420/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSmith College 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Hampshire College - Test-free; Smith College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Hampshire College Jan 15, 2027; Smith College Jan 15, 2027.
• Hampshire College has a higher acceptance rate (75.3%) than Smith College (21%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.4% at Hampshire College vs. 35.4% at Smith College.

Hampshire College vs. Smith College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hampshire College 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).

• Smith College's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than Hampshire College's (61%).
• Graduates from Smith College earn a median of about $11,800 more per year than Hampshire College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Smith College graduates have a $4,531 lower median loan debt than Hampshire College graduates ($19,000 vs. $23,531).
• Among borrowers, Smith College graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hampshire College graduates ($196 vs. $243).
• More Smith College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hampshire College students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 72%)

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.