Smith College vs. Wellesley

Comparable Facts

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

Smith College is larger than Wellesley based on total student enrollment (2,857 students vs. 2,407 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Smith College is located in Northampton, MA (Large Suburban setting); Wellesley College is in Wellesley, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Smith College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wellesley College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Smith College 8:1; Wellesley College 7:1.

Smith College vs. Wellesley Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Smith College or Wellesley? 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 Wellesley College than Smith College ($22,174 vs. $27,305).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wellesley College are 6.8% lower than at Smith College ($21,024 vs. $22,570).
• Wellesley College is 3.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Smith College (about $1,998 more per year; $67,176.00 vs. $65,178.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.1% higher at Wellesley than at Smith College (about $1,998 more per year; $67,176.00 vs. $65,178.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Smith College than at Wellesley College (67% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wellesley College students is 9.2% larger than aid received by Smith College students ($64,116 vs. $58,725).

Smith College vs. Wellesley Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wellesley College (1510) is 30 points higher than at Smith College (1480).
• Incoming Wellesley 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; Wellesley College 1460/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Smith College 32/35; Wellesley College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Smith College - Test optional; Wellesley - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Smith College Jan 15, 2027; Wellesley Jan 8, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Smith College students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Wellesley (3.86).
• Smith College has a higher acceptance rate (21%) than Wellesley (14%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.4% at Smith College vs. 47.6% at Wellesley.

Smith College vs. Wellesley Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Wellesley College's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Smith College's (85%).
• Graduates from Wellesley College earn a median of about $19,200 more per year than Smith College graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,100 vs. $48,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wellesley College graduates have a $10,100 lower median loan debt than Smith College graduates ($8,900 vs. $19,000).
• Among borrowers, Wellesley graduates have an estimated $104 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Smith College graduates ($92 vs. $196).
• More Wellesley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Smith College students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.