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Smith College

Northampton, Massachusetts 01063

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Urban

Highly selective — known for biology

Smith College is a private institution in Northampton with particular strength in biology and psychology. With an average SAT of 1480, the school attracts a competitive applicant pool.

A mid-sized campus of 2.5K undergraduates with a 8:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

90% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $64,027 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $26,181.

Established
1871
Motto
Ἐν τῇ ἀρετῇ τὴν γνῶσιν
Type
Private liberal arts women's college

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20%Acceptance
1480SAT Avg
2,501Students
8:1Student:Faculty
90%Grad Rate
$64,027Earnings 10yr
$26,181Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate19.7%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1480

Reading & WritingMid: 725
718770
MathMid: 725
690770

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 33
3234

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Admissions

Test-OptionalHolistic ReviewOn-Campus Interviews

Application Platforms

Common App

Early Decision (Binding)

November 15

Decision by December 15

Early Decision II (Binding)

January 1

Decision by February 1

Regular Decision

January 15

Decision by Late March

Supplemental essays required.

Financial Aid

✓ Need-Blind✓ Meets 100% Need✓ No-Loan PolicyNeed-Based Only
Students receiving aid
60%

Financial aid packages include no loans, only grants

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$61,568
Room & Board$21,310
Books & Supplies$800
Total Cost of Attendance$82,134
Average Net Price$26,181
Median Debt at Graduation$17,550
Monthly Payment (10yr)$186

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$7,033
$30–48K$9,382
$48–75K$12,149
$75–110K$17,628
$110K+$39,722

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

87.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

4.6%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$13,500

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

20

Peer Average

13

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

Incident Breakdown (2024)

5

Burglary

1

Aggravated Assault

1

Robbery

2

Motor Vehicle Theft

2

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

5

Drug Arrests

4

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Academics

Open CurriculumSemesterPhi Beta KappaDouble Major OK
Majors
50
Student-faculty ratio
9:1
Study abroad
50%

Smith has no distribution requirements, allowing students to design their own liberal arts education

Research: STRIDE program provides paid research assistantships for first-year students

Thesis: Honors thesis required for honors degree; many majors offer thesis options

Five College Consortium

Smith CollegeMount Holyoke CollegeAmherst CollegeHampshire CollegeUMass Amherst
Total undergrads
38,000
Cross-registration
Yes
Shared bus
Free service

Students can take courses at any of the five colleges and participate in joint programs

Programs (61)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

93%

Positive

Campus Life

Campus size
147 acres
Organizations
140+
Varsity teams
14
Division IIINEWMACNo Greek LifeIntramurals

Smith competes in 14 varsity sports as the Pioneers

Housing & Residential Life

4-Year Housing Guarantee
On campus
95%

Housing Styles

Traditional residence hallsHistoric houses

Dining

Student Body

Undergrads
2,501
Gender Split
100% / 0%
Women / Men
First Generation
19%
Pell Grant Recipients
18%

Race & Ethnicity

White 52%
Black 5%
Hispanic 12%
Asian 10%
Two+ 6%
Int'l 13%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate89.7%
Freshman Retention92.6%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$45,731
10 Years$64,027

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Notable Alumni

•

Sylvia Plath '55

Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and author of The Bell Jar

•

Julia Child '34

Pioneering television chef and author

•

Gloria Steinem '56

Feminist activist, journalist, and co-founder of Ms. Magazine

•

Nancy Reagan '43

First Lady of the United States 1981-1989

•

Barbara Bush '47

First Lady of the United States 1989-1993

Rankings

Forbes
#89
—
vs 2024
Wall Street Journal
#29
—
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#27
—
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Pioneers

AthleticsBasketball gameCollege toTennis championshipsBasketball hallCollegiate tennis

History & Fun Facts

  • •1900 The college was chartered in 1871 by a bequest of Sophia Smith and opened its doors in 1875 with 14 students and 6 faculty.
  • •By 1915, the student enrollment was 1,724, and the faculty numbered 163.
  • •LTJG Harriet Ida Pickens and ENS Frances Wills, first African-American WAVES to be commissioned.
  • •By 2010, the school had 2,600 undergraduates on campus and 250 students studying elsewhere.
  • •On August 28, 1942, a total of 120 women reported to the school for training.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

143Very High

Estimated from MA state average + city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 60"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Bostonpop. 675K
81 mi(140 min)
New Yorkpop. 8.3M
132 mi(229 min)
Philadelphiapop. 1.6M
210 mi(364 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

BDL Hartford Bradley26 mi
ALB Albany66 mi
PVD Providence TF Green74 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA81 mi · ~2h 20m drive
New York, NY132 mi · ~3h 49m drive
Hartford, CT38 mi · ~1h 6m drive
Providence, RI72 mi · ~2h 5m drive
Albany, NY61 mi · ~1h 46m drive
Syracuse, NY185 mi · ~5h 21m drive
Rochester, NY259 mi · ~7h 29m drive
Buffalo, NY320 mi · ~9h 15m drive
Philadelphia, PA210 mi · ~6h 4m drive
Pittsburgh, PA403 mi · ~11h 39m drive
Harrisburg, PA262 mi · ~7h 34m drive
Newark, NJ135 mi · ~3h 54m drive
Trenton, NJ182 mi · ~5h 15m drive
Central (cold winters, warm summers)

Getting Around

Amtrak

Northampton station within 2 miles

Walkability

Highly walkable campus and town

Nearby Attractions

•

Downtown Northamptonwalkable

Vibrant college town with restaurants, shops, galleries, and live music venues

•

Smith College Museum of Artwalkable

Renowned art museum with collection of over 25,000 works

•

Paradise Pond and Botanic Gardenwalkable

Beautiful walking paths around campus pond and extensive botanical gardens

Deadline Calendar

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Smith College Application Checklist

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Decision Notifications

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