Smith College vs. Carleton College

Comparable Facts

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

Smith College is larger than Carleton College based on total student enrollment (2,857 students vs. 2,128 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Smith College is located in Northampton, MA (Large Suburban setting); Carleton College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
• Smith College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Smith College 8:1; Carleton College 8:1.

Smith College vs. Carleton College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Smith College or Carleton 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 Carleton College ($27,305 vs. $28,047).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carleton College are 22.1% lower than at Smith College ($17,586 vs. $22,570).
• Carleton College is 5.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Smith College (about $3,714 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $65,178.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.7% higher at Carleton College than at Smith College (about $3,714 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $65,178.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Smith College than at Carleton College (67% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Smith College students is 3.3% larger than aid received by Carleton College students ($58,725 vs. $56,846).

Smith College vs. Carleton College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carleton College (1510) is 30 points higher than at Smith College (1480).
• Incoming Smith College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 33) as students at Carleton College (33).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Smith College 1420/1540; Carleton College 1450/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Smith College 32/35; Carleton College 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Smith College - Test optional; Carleton College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Smith College Jan 15, 2027; Carleton College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Smith College students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Carleton College (3.9).
• Smith College has a higher acceptance rate (21%) than Carleton College (20.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.4% at Smith College vs. 34.8% at Carleton College.

Smith College vs. Carleton College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Smith College and Carleton 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).

• Carleton College's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Smith College's (85%).
• Graduates from Carleton College earn a median of about $16,700 more per year than Smith College graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,600 vs. $48,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Smith College graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than Carleton College graduates ($19,000 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Smith College graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carleton College graduates ($196 vs. $201).
• More Carleton College 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.