UMass vs. Smith College

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Amherst is larger than Smith College based on total student enrollment (31,726 students vs. 2,857 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Amherst is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Smith College is in Northampton, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Smith College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Amherst 17:1; Smith College 8:1.

UMass vs. Smith College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMass or Smith College? 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 University of Massachusetts Amherst than Smith College ($22,948 vs. $27,305).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Amherst are 26% lower than at Smith College ($16,710 vs. $22,570).
• Smith College is 266.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMass (about $47,406 more per year; $65,178.00 vs. $17,772.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 61.1% higher at Smith College than at University of Massachusetts Amherst (about $24,729 more per year; $65,178.00 vs. $40,449.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Amherst than at Smith College (81% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Smith College students is 347.9% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Amherst students ($58,725 vs. $13,110).

UMass vs. Smith College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UMass or Smith College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Smith College and UMass.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Smith College (1480) is 70 points higher than at UMass (1410).
• Incoming Smith College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (33 vs. 31 at UMass).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Massachusetts Amherst 1310/1500; Smith College 1420/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Massachusetts Amherst 30/33; Smith College 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMass - Test optional; Smith College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMass Jan 15, 2027; Smith College Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Smith College students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at UMass (3.99).
• UMass has a higher acceptance rate (59.7%) than Smith College (21%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at UMass vs. 35.4% at Smith College.

UMass vs. Smith College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMass and Smith College? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Smith College's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Amherst's (67%).
• Graduates from University of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of about $6,300 more per year than Smith College graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,200 vs. $48,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Smith College graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than UMass graduates ($19,000 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, Smith College graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UMass graduates ($196 vs. $248).
• More Smith College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMass students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 76%)

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.