Amherst vs. Smith College

Amherst College and Smith College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Amherst College
Smith College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Amherst (9% admitted vs 21%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1480.
  • Cheaper after aid: Amherst. Average net price is $19,049 vs $27,305 at Smith College.
  • Graduation: Amherst 96% vs Smith College 85%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Amherst $82,000 vs Smith College $48,900 (median).
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Key differences

Amherst College Smith College
Acceptance rate
Amherst more selective
Amherst9%
Smith College21%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Amherst higher
Amherst1490-1580
Smith College1420-1540
Average net price
Amherst $8,256 less
Amherst$19,049
Smith College$27,305
In-state tuition
Smith College $5,302 less
Amherst$70,480
Smith College$65,178
Out-of-state tuition
Smith College $5,302 less
Amherst$70,480
Smith College$65,178
Graduation rate
Amherst +11 pts
Amherst96%
Smith College85%
Median earnings (10 years)
Amherst +$33,100
Amherst$82,000
Smith College$48,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Amherst 13,743
  • Smith College 8,666
  • Admitted
  • Amherst 1,238
  • Smith College 1,820
  • Acceptance rate
  • Amherst 9%
  • Smith College 21%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Amherst 38.8%
  • Smith College 35.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Amherst 1540
  • Smith College 1480
  • Typical ACT score
  • Amherst 34
  • Smith College 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • Amherst 3.91
  • Smith College 4.0
  • Typical high school grades
  • Amherst A
  • Smith College A/A+
  • Admissions standards
  • Amherst Elite
  • Smith College Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Amherst Extreme
  • Smith College Very High
  • SAT range
  • Amherst 1490-1580
  • Smith College 1420-1540
  • ACT range
  • Amherst 33-35
  • Smith College 32-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Amherst Test optional
  • Smith College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Amherst Jan 2, 2027
  • Smith College Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Smith College $65,178
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Smith College $65,178
  • Room & board
  • Amherst $18,390
  • Smith College $22,570
  • Average net price
  • Amherst $19,049
  • Smith College $27,305
  • Average grant aid
  • Amherst $68,591
  • Smith College $58,725
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Amherst 59%
  • Smith College 67%
  • Graduation rate
  • Amherst 96%
  • Smith College 85%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Amherst $82,000
  • Smith College $48,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • Amherst 83%
  • Smith College 80%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Amherst $12,975
  • Smith College $19,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Amherst $134
  • Smith College $196
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Amherst 6:1
  • Smith College 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Amherst
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Smith College
    • Social Sciences (22%)
    • Foreign Languages (12%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
    • Ethnic Studies (9%)
  • Location
  • Amherst Amherst, MA
  • Smith College Northampton, MA
  • Setting
  • Amherst Town Fringe
  • Smith College Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Amherst 1,914
  • Smith College 2,857
  • Type
  • Amherst Private 4 Year
  • Smith College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Amherst #13
  • Smith College #68

Comparable Facts

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

Smith College is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (2,857 students vs. 1,914 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Amherst College are 18.5% lower than at Smith College ($18,390 vs. $22,570).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 8.1% higher at Amherst than at Smith College (about $5,302 more per year; $70,480 vs. $65,178).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Smith College than at Amherst College (67% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 16.8% larger than aid received by Smith College students ($68,591 vs. $58,725).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Amherst than at Smith College (34 vs. 33, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Amherst and Smith College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Smith College Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Smith College average a 4.0 high school GPA, 0.09 higher than at Amherst (3.91).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 35.4% at Smith College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $6,025 lower median loan debt than Smith College graduates ($12,975 vs. $19,000).
  • Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Smith College graduates ($134 vs. $196).
  • More Amherst 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, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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