MIT vs. Smith College

Comparable Facts

Compare Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, MA with Smith College in Northampton, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology is larger than Smith College based on total student enrollment (11,886 students vs. 2,857 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology is located in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting); Smith College is in Northampton, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Smith College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 3:1; Smith College 8:1.

MIT vs. Smith College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MIT 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 Massachusetts Institute of Technology than Smith College ($20,996 vs. $27,305).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Massachusetts Institute of Technology are 10.1% lower than at Smith College ($20,280 vs. $22,570).
• Smith College is 4.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than MIT (about $2,782 more per year; $65,178.00 vs. $62,396.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.5% higher at Smith College than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (about $2,782 more per year; $65,178.00 vs. $62,396.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Smith College than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (67% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Massachusetts Institute of Technology students is 5.1% larger than aid received by Smith College students ($61,734 vs. $58,725).

MIT vs. Smith College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MIT 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 MIT.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1550) is 70 points higher than at Smith College (1480).
• Incoming MIT 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: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 1520/1580; Smith College 1420/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 34/36; Smith College 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MIT - Required; Smith College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MIT Jan 1, 2027; Smith College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Smith College students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at MIT (3.96).
• Smith College has a higher acceptance rate (21%) than MIT (4.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 85.8% at MIT vs. 35.4% at Smith College.

MIT vs. Smith College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MIT 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).

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Smith College's (85%).
• Graduates from Massachusetts Institute of Technology earn a median of about $93,200 more per year than Smith College graduates about ten years after starting college ($142,100 vs. $48,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates have a $1,684 lower median loan debt than Smith College graduates ($17,316 vs. $19,000).
• Among borrowers, MIT graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Smith College graduates ($179 vs. $196).
• More MIT graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Smith College students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.