MHC vs. Smith College

Comparable Facts

Compare Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, 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 MHC based on total student enrollment (2,857 students vs. 2,275 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mount Holyoke College is located in South Hadley, MA (Large Suburban setting); Smith College is in Northampton, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Mount Holyoke College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Smith College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mount Holyoke College 9:1; Smith College 8:1.

MHC vs. Smith College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MHC 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 MHC ($27,305 vs. $32,526).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mount Holyoke College are 12.8% lower than at Smith College ($19,684 vs. $22,570).
• Mount Holyoke College is 2.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Smith College (about $1,840 more per year; $67,018.00 vs. $65,178.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.8% higher at MHC than at Smith College (about $1,840 more per year; $67,018.00 vs. $65,178.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount Holyoke College than at Smith College (77% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Smith College students is 12% larger than aid received by Mount Holyoke College students ($58,725 vs. $52,418).

MHC vs. Smith College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MHC 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 MHC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Smith College (1480) is 20 points higher than at MHC (1460).
• Incoming MHC students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 33) as students at Smith College (33).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount Holyoke College 1380/1530; Smith College 1420/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount Holyoke College 32/35; Smith College 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MHC - Test optional; Smith College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MHC Jan 15, 2027; Smith College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Smith College students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at MHC (3.87).
• MHC has a higher acceptance rate (36%) than Smith College (21%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at MHC vs. 35.4% at Smith College.

MHC vs. Smith College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MHC 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).

• The graduation rate at MHC is the same as at Smith College (85% vs. 85%).
• Graduates from Mount Holyoke College earn a median of about $1,100 more per year than Smith College graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,000 vs. $48,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Smith College graduates have a $2,206 lower median loan debt than MHC graduates ($19,000 vs. $21,206).
• Among borrowers, Smith College graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MHC graduates ($196 vs. $219).
• More Smith College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MHC students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 77%)

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.