Smith College vs. Oberlin

Comparable Facts

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

Oberlin College is larger than Smith College based on total student enrollment (2,909 students vs. 2,857 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Smith College vs. Oberlin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Smith College or Oberlin? 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 Oberlin ($27,305 vs. $51,624).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Oberlin College are 13.6% lower than at Smith College ($19,510 vs. $22,570).
• Oberlin College is 3.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Smith College (about $2,188 more per year; $67,366.00 vs. $65,178.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.4% higher at Oberlin than at Smith College (about $2,188 more per year; $67,366.00 vs. $65,178.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oberlin College than at Smith College (99% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Smith College students is 64.1% larger than aid received by Oberlin College students ($58,725 vs. $35,780).

Smith College vs. Oberlin Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Smith College (1480) is 40 points higher than at Oberlin (1440).
• Incoming Smith College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 32 at Oberlin).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Smith College 1420/1540; Oberlin College 1360/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Smith College 32/35; Oberlin College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Smith College - Test optional; Oberlin - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Smith College Jan 15, 2027; Oberlin Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Smith College students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Oberlin (3.67).
• Oberlin has a higher acceptance rate (34.2%) than Smith College (21%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.4% at Smith College vs. 19.5% at Oberlin.

Smith College vs. Oberlin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Smith College and Oberlin? 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).

• Oberlin College's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than Smith College's (85%).
• Graduates from Smith College earn a median of about $5,000 more per year than Oberlin graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Smith College graduates have a $7,579 lower median loan debt than Oberlin graduates ($19,000 vs. $26,579).
• Among borrowers, Smith College graduates have an estimated $78 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oberlin graduates ($196 vs. $274).
• More Oberlin graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Smith College students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.