Smith College vs. Bennington

Comparable Facts

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

Smith College is larger than Bennington based on total student enrollment (2,857 students vs. 927 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Smith College vs. Bennington Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Smith College or Bennington? 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 Bennington ($27,305 vs. $34,220).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bennington College are 15.3% lower than at Smith College ($19,108 vs. $22,570).
• Bennington College is 1.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Smith College (about $1,084 more per year; $66,262.00 vs. $65,178.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.7% higher at Bennington than at Smith College (about $1,084 more per year; $66,262.00 vs. $65,178.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bennington College than at Smith College (100% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Smith College students is 10.7% larger than aid received by Bennington College students ($58,725 vs. $53,064).

Smith College vs. Bennington Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Smith College or Bennington? 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 Bennington and Smith College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Smith College (1480) is 130 points higher than at Bennington (1350).
• Incoming Smith College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 31 at Bennington).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Smith College 1420/1540; Bennington College 1291/1403.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Smith College 32/35; Bennington College 30/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Smith College - Test optional; Bennington - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Smith College Jan 15, 2027; Bennington Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Smith College students have a 0.49 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Bennington (3.51).
• Bennington has a higher acceptance rate (44.5%) than Smith College (21%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.4% at Smith College vs. 11.5% at Bennington.

Smith College vs. Bennington Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Smith College and Bennington? 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 Bennington College's (67%).
• Graduates from Smith College earn a median of about $17,200 more per year than Bennington graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $31,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Smith College graduates have a $7,000 lower median loan debt than Bennington graduates ($19,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Smith College graduates have an estimated $72 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bennington graduates ($196 vs. $268).
• More Smith College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bennington 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.