Emerson vs. Smith College

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

Emerson College
Smith College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Smith College (21% admitted vs 51.3%). Typical SAT 1480 vs 1350.
  • Cheaper after aid: Smith College. Average net price is $27,305 vs $53,432 at Emerson.
  • Graduation: Emerson 81% vs Smith College 85%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Emerson $49,200 vs Smith College $48,900 (median).
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Key differences

Emerson College Smith College
Acceptance rate
Smith College more selective
Emerson51.3%
Smith College21%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Smith College higher
Emerson1270-1420
Smith College1420-1540
Average net price
Smith College $26,127 less
Emerson$53,432
Smith College$27,305
In-state tuition
Emerson $8,122 less
Emerson$57,056
Smith College$65,178
Out-of-state tuition
Emerson $8,122 less
Emerson$57,056
Smith College$65,178
Graduation rate
Smith College +4 pts
Emerson81%
Smith College85%
Median earnings (10 years)
Emerson +$300
Emerson$49,200
Smith College$48,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Emerson 10,378
  • Smith College 8,666
  • Admitted
  • Emerson 5,325
  • Smith College 1,820
  • Acceptance rate
  • Emerson 51.3%
  • Smith College 21%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Emerson 15.5%
  • Smith College 35.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Emerson 1350
  • Smith College 1480
  • Typical ACT score
  • Emerson 30
  • Smith College 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • Emerson 3.73
  • Smith College 4.0
  • Typical high school grades
  • Emerson A-
  • Smith College A/A+
  • Admissions standards
  • Emerson Very High
  • Smith College Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Emerson Low
  • Smith College Very High
  • SAT range
  • Emerson 1270-1420
  • Smith College 1420-1540
  • ACT range
  • Emerson 29-32
  • Smith College 32-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Emerson Test optional
  • Smith College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Emerson Feb 20, 2027
  • Smith College Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Smith College $65,178
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Smith College $65,178
  • Room & board
  • Emerson $20,920
  • Smith College $22,570
  • Average net price
  • Emerson $53,432
  • Smith College $27,305
  • Average grant aid
  • Emerson $26,997
  • Smith College $58,725
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Emerson 77%
  • Smith College 67%
  • Graduation rate
  • Emerson 81%
  • Smith College 85%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Emerson $49,200
  • Smith College $48,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • Emerson 80%
  • Smith College 80%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Emerson $23,500
  • Smith College $19,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Emerson $242
  • Smith College $196
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Emerson 14:1
  • Smith College 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Emerson
    • Communication (33%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
    • English and Literature (19%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Health Professions (2%)
  • Smith College
    • Social Sciences (22%)
    • Foreign Languages (12%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
    • Ethnic Studies (9%)
  • Location
  • Emerson Boston, MA
  • Smith College Northampton, MA
  • Setting
  • Emerson Large City
  • Smith College Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Emerson 5,263
  • Smith College 2,857
  • Type
  • Emerson Private 4 Year
  • Smith College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Emerson #208
  • Smith College #68

Comparable Facts

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

Emerson College is larger than Smith College based on total student enrollment (5,263 students vs. 2,857 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Smith College is in Northampton, MA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Smith College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; Smith College 8:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Emerson College are 7.3% lower than at Smith College ($20,920 vs. $22,570).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 14.2% higher at Smith College than at Emerson College (about $8,122 more per year; $65,178 vs. $57,056).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Emerson College than at Smith College (77% vs. 67%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Smith College students is 117.5% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($58,725 vs. $26,997).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Smith College than at Emerson (33 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Emerson and Smith College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; Smith College Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Smith College average a 4.0 high school GPA, 0.27 higher than at Emerson (3.73).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 35.4% at Smith College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Smith College graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than Emerson graduates ($19,000 vs. $23,500).
  • Among borrowers, Smith College graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Emerson graduates ($196 vs. $242).
  • More Smith College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emerson students, three years after graduation (80% 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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