Harvard vs. Smith College

Deciding between Harvard University and Smith College? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Harvard University
Smith College

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Harvard Cambridge, MA
  • Smith College Northampton, MA
  • Setting
  • Harvard Midsize City
  • Smith College Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Harvard 30,259
  • Smith College 2,857
  • Type
  • Harvard Private 4 Year
  • Smith College Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Harvard #4
  • Smith College #68
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Harvard -
  • Smith College -
  • Status
  • Harvard Non-profit
  • Smith College Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Harvard
  • Smith College

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Harvard $61,676
  • Smith College $65,178
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Harvard $61,676
  • Smith College $65,178
  • Room & Board
  • Harvard $21,190
  • Smith College $22,570
  • Average Net Price
  • Harvard $17,525
  • Smith College $27,305
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Harvard $68,015
  • Smith College $58,725
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Harvard 56%
  • Smith College 67%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Harvard 54,008
  • Smith College 8,666
  • Admitted
  • Harvard 1,970
  • Smith College 1,820
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Harvard 3.6%
  • Smith College 21%
  • Enrolled
  • Harvard 83.6%
  • Smith College 35.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Harvard 1550
  • Smith College 1480
  • Typical ACT score
  • Harvard 35
  • Smith College 33
  • Average High School GPA
  • Harvard 4.0
  • Smith College 4.0
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Harvard A/A+
  • Smith College A/A+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Harvard Elite
  • Smith College Elite
  • Applicant Competition
  • Harvard Extreme
  • Smith College Very High
  • ACT Range
  • Harvard 34/36
  • Smith College 32/35
  • SAT Range
  • Harvard 1510/1580
  • Smith College 1420/1540
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Harvard Required
  • Smith College Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Harvard Jan 1, 2027
  • Smith College Jan 15, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Harvard 7:1
  • Smith College 8:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Harvard
    • Social Sciences (32%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
    • History (9%)
    • Mathematics (6%)
  • Smith College
    • Social Sciences (22%)
    • Foreign Languages (12%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
    • Ethnic Studies (9%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Harvard 97%
  • Smith College 85%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Harvard $136,700
  • Smith College $48,900
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Harvard 70%
  • Smith College 80%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Harvard $6,500
  • Smith College $19,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Harvard $67
  • Smith College $196

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Harvard 46%
  • Smith College 2%
  • % Women
  • Harvard 54%
  • Smith College 98%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Harvard Very High
  • Smith College High
  • HBCU
  • Harvard No
  • Smith College No
  • % White
  • Harvard 44%
  • Smith College 45%
  • % Asian
  • Harvard 19%
  • Smith College 12%
  • % Black
  • Harvard 6%
  • Smith College 5%
  • % Hispanic
  • Harvard 10%
  • Smith College 10%
  • % Native American
  • Harvard 0%
  • Smith College 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Harvard 0%
  • Smith College 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Harvard 6%
  • Smith College 5%
  • % International
  • Harvard 11%
  • Smith College 14%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Harvard 3%
  • Smith College 8%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Harvard 14%
  • Smith College 12%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Harvard 68%
  • Smith College 74%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Harvard Yes
  • Smith College Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Harvard Yes
  • Smith College Yes
  • Meal Plan
  • Harvard Yes
  • Smith College Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Harvard No
  • Smith College No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Harvard Yes
  • Smith College No

Comparable Facts

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

Harvard University is larger than Smith College based on total student enrollment (30,259 students vs. 2,857 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Harvard University is located in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting); Smith College is in Northampton, MA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Harvard University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Smith College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Harvard University 7:1; Smith College 8:1.

Harvard vs. Smith College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Harvard 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 Harvard University than Smith College ($17,525 vs. $27,305).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Harvard University are 6.1% lower than at Smith College ($21,190 vs. $22,570).
  • Smith College is 5.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Harvard (about $3,502 more per year; $65,178.00 vs. $61,676.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 5.7% higher at Smith College than at Harvard University (about $3,502 more per year; $65,178.00 vs. $61,676.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Smith College than at Harvard University (67% vs. 56%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Harvard University students is 15.8% larger than aid received by Smith College students ($68,015 vs. $58,725).

Harvard vs. Smith College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Harvard 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 Harvard.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Harvard University (1550) is 70 points higher than at Smith College (1480).
  • Incoming Harvard students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 33 at Smith College).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Harvard University 1510/1580; Smith College 1420/1540.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Harvard University 34/36; Smith College 32/35.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Harvard - Required; Smith College - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Harvard Jan 1, 2027; Smith College Jan 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Harvard students have the same average high school GPA (4.0) as students at Smith College (4.0).
  • Smith College has a higher acceptance rate (21%) than Harvard (3.6%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 83.6% at Harvard vs. 35.4% at Smith College.

Harvard vs. Smith College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Harvard 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).

  • Harvard University's six-year graduation rate (97%) is higher than Smith College's (85%).
  • Graduates from Harvard University earn a median of about $87,800 more per year than Smith College graduates about ten years after starting college ($136,700 vs. $48,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Harvard University graduates have a $12,500 lower median loan debt than Smith College graduates ($6,500 vs. $19,000).
  • Among borrowers, Harvard graduates have an estimated $129 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Smith College graduates ($67 vs. $196).
  • More Smith College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Harvard students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 70%)

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.