Smith College vs. Wake Forest

Comparable Facts

Compare Smith College in Northampton, MA with Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wake Forest University is larger than Smith College based on total student enrollment (9,322 students vs. 2,857 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Smith College is located in Northampton, MA (Large Suburban setting); Wake Forest University is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Smith College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wake Forest University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Smith College 8:1; Wake Forest University 10:1.

Smith College vs. Wake Forest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Smith College or Wake Forest? 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 Wake Forest University than Smith College ($24,401 vs. $27,305).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wake Forest University are 18.1% lower than at Smith College ($18,494 vs. $22,570).
• Wake Forest University is 3.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Smith College (about $2,464 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $65,178.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.8% higher at Wake Forest than at Smith College (about $2,464 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $65,178.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Smith College than at Wake Forest University (67% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wake Forest University students is 7.5% larger than aid received by Smith College students ($63,117 vs. $58,725).

Smith College vs. Wake Forest Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Smith College (1480) is 10 points higher than at Wake Forest (1470).
• Incoming Smith College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 33) as students at Wake Forest (33).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Smith College 1420/1540; Wake Forest University 1410/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Smith College 32/35; Wake Forest University 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Smith College - Test optional; Wake Forest - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Smith College Jan 15, 2027; Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027.
• Wake Forest has a higher acceptance rate (21.7%) than Smith College (21%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.4% at Smith College vs. 36.1% at Wake Forest.

Smith College vs. Wake Forest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Smith College and Wake Forest? 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).

• Wake Forest University's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than Smith College's (85%).
• Graduates from Wake Forest University earn a median of about $28,300 more per year than Smith College graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $48,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Smith College graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than Wake Forest graduates ($19,000 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, Smith College graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wake Forest graduates ($196 vs. $237).
• More Wake Forest graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Smith College students, three years after graduation. (88% 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.