Smith College vs. Olin College

Comparable Facts

Compare Smith College in Northampton, MA with Franklin W Olin College of Engineering in Needham, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Smith College is larger than Olin College based on total student enrollment (2,857 students vs. 405 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Smith College is located in Northampton, MA (Large Suburban setting); Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is in Needham, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Smith College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Smith College 8:1; Franklin W Olin College of Engineering 9:1.

Smith College vs. Olin College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Smith College or Olin 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 Olin College ($27,305 vs. $43,184).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering are 7.8% lower than at Smith College ($20,810 vs. $22,570).
• Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is 1.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Smith College (about $1,220 more per year; $66,398.00 vs. $65,178.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.9% higher at Olin College than at Smith College (about $1,220 more per year; $66,398.00 vs. $65,178.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering than at Smith College (100% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Smith College students is 35.7% larger than aid received by Franklin W Olin College of Engineering students ($58,725 vs. $43,290).

Smith College vs. Olin College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering (1530) is 50 points higher than at Smith College (1480).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Smith College 1420/1540; Franklin W Olin College of Engineering 1493/1558.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Smith College 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Smith College - Test optional; Olin College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Smith College Jan 15, 2027; Olin College Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Smith College students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Olin College (3.9).
• Olin College has a higher acceptance rate (25.2%) than Smith College (21%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.4% at Smith College vs. 43.7% at Olin College.

Smith College vs. Olin College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Smith College and Olin 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).

• Franklin W Olin College of Engineering's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Smith College's (85%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Franklin W Olin College of Engineering graduates have a $4,290 lower median loan debt than Smith College graduates ($14,710 vs. $19,000).
• Among borrowers, Olin College graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Smith College graduates ($152 vs. $196).

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.