Oxy vs. Smith College

Comparable Facts

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

Smith College is larger than Oxy based on total student enrollment (2,857 students vs. 1,881 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Occidental College is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Smith College is in Northampton, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Occidental College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Smith College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Occidental College 9:1; Smith College 8:1.

Oxy vs. Smith College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Oxy 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 Oxy ($27,305 vs. $48,400).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Occidental College are 14.7% lower than at Smith College ($19,252 vs. $22,570).
• Occidental College is 1.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Smith College (about $1,096 more per year; $66,274.00 vs. $65,178.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.7% higher at Oxy than at Smith College (about $1,096 more per year; $66,274.00 vs. $65,178.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Occidental College than at Smith College (75% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Smith College students is 61.3% larger than aid received by Occidental College students ($58,725 vs. $36,400).

Oxy vs. Smith College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Oxy 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 Oxy.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Smith College (1480) is 30 points higher than at Oxy (1450).
• Incoming Smith College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 32 at Oxy).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Occidental College 1380/1520; Smith College 1420/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Occidental College 31/34; Smith College 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Oxy - Test optional; Smith College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Oxy Jan 10, 2027; Smith College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Smith College students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Oxy (3.63).
• Oxy has a higher acceptance rate (44.2%) than Smith College (21%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.8% at Oxy vs. 35.4% at Smith College.

Oxy vs. Smith College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Oxy 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 Occidental College's (83%).
• Graduates from Occidental College earn a median of about $7,700 more per year than Smith College graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,600 vs. $48,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Smith College graduates have a $4,652 lower median loan debt than Oxy graduates ($19,000 vs. $23,652).
• Among borrowers, Smith College graduates have an estimated $48 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oxy graduates ($196 vs. $244).
• More Oxy graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Smith College students, three years after graduation. (87% 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.