Smith College vs. Williams

Comparable Facts

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

Smith College is larger than Williams based on total student enrollment (2,857 students vs. 2,164 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Smith College is located in Northampton, MA (Large Suburban setting); Williams College is in Williamstown, MA (Distant Town setting).
• Smith College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Williams College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Smith College 8:1; Williams College 6:1.

Smith College vs. Williams Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Smith College or Williams? 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 Williams College than Smith College ($15,894 vs. $27,305).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Williams College are 23.5% lower than at Smith College ($17,260 vs. $22,570).
• Williams College is 5.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Smith College (about $3,382 more per year; $68,560.00 vs. $65,178.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.2% higher at Williams than at Smith College (about $3,382 more per year; $68,560.00 vs. $65,178.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Smith College than at Williams College (67% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Williams College students is 17.4% larger than aid received by Smith College students ($68,966 vs. $58,725).

Smith College vs. Williams Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Williams College (1530) is 50 points higher than at Smith College (1480).
• Incoming Williams 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; Williams College 1490/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Smith College 32/35; Williams College 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Smith College - Test optional; Williams - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Smith College Jan 15, 2027; Williams Jan 10, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Smith College students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Williams (3.94).
• Smith College has a higher acceptance rate (21%) than Williams (8.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.4% at Smith College vs. 43% at Williams.

Smith College vs. Williams Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Williams College's six-year graduation rate (95%) is higher than Smith College's (85%).
• Graduates from Williams College earn a median of about $24,700 more per year than Smith College graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,600 vs. $48,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Williams College graduates have a $4,418 lower median loan debt than Smith College graduates ($14,582 vs. $19,000).
• Among borrowers, Williams graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Smith College graduates ($150 vs. $196).
• More Williams graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Smith College students, three years after graduation. (83% 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.