Smith College vs. Tufts

Comparable Facts

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

Tufts University is larger than Smith College based on total student enrollment (13,599 students vs. 2,857 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Smith College is located in Northampton, MA (Large Suburban setting); Tufts University is in Medford, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Smith College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Tufts University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Smith College 8:1; Tufts University 10:1.

Smith College vs. Tufts Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Smith College or Tufts? 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 Tufts ($27,305 vs. $32,367).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tufts University are 17.6% lower than at Smith College ($18,588 vs. $22,570).
• Tufts University is 8.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Smith College (about $5,526 more per year; $70,704.00 vs. $65,178.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.5% higher at Tufts than at Smith College (about $5,526 more per year; $70,704.00 vs. $65,178.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Smith College than at Tufts University (67% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Smith College students is 5% larger than aid received by Tufts University students ($58,725 vs. $55,933).

Smith College vs. Tufts Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Tufts University (1520) is 40 points higher than at Smith College (1480).
• Incoming Tufts students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at Smith College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Smith College 1420/1540; Tufts University 1470/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Smith College 32/35; Tufts University 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Smith College - Test optional; Tufts - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Smith College Jan 15, 2027; Tufts Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Smith College students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Tufts (3.91).
• Smith College has a higher acceptance rate (21%) than Tufts (11.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.4% at Smith College vs. 45.5% at Tufts.

Smith College vs. Tufts Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Tufts University's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than Smith College's (85%).
• Graduates from Tufts University earn a median of about $34,200 more per year than Smith College graduates about ten years after starting college ($83,100 vs. $48,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Tufts University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Smith College graduates ($18,000 vs. $19,000).
• Among borrowers, Tufts graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Smith College graduates ($186 vs. $196).
• More Tufts graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Smith College students, three years after graduation. (91% 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.