Smith College vs. Carleton College

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

Smith College
Carleton College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Carleton College (20.4% admitted vs 21%). Typical SAT 1510 vs 1480.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $27,305 at Smith College vs $28,047 at Carleton College. Carleton College in-state tuition is about $3,714 more per year.
  • Graduation: Smith College 85% vs Carleton College 93%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Smith College $48,900 vs Carleton College $65,600 (median).
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Key differences

Smith College Carleton College
Acceptance rate
Carleton College more selective
Smith College21%
Carleton College20.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Carleton College higher
Smith College1420-1540
Carleton College1450-1560
Average net price
About even
Smith College$27,305
Carleton College$28,047
In-state tuition
Smith College $3,714 less
Smith College$65,178
Carleton College$68,892
Out-of-state tuition
Smith College $3,714 less
Smith College$65,178
Carleton College$68,892
Graduation rate
Carleton College +8 pts
Smith College85%
Carleton College93%
Median earnings (10 years)
Carleton College +$16,700
Smith College$48,900
Carleton College$65,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Smith College 8,666
  • Carleton College 7,133
  • Admitted
  • Smith College 1,820
  • Carleton College 1,456
  • Acceptance rate
  • Smith College 21%
  • Carleton College 20.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Smith College 35.4%
  • Carleton College 34.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Smith College 1480
  • Carleton College 1510
  • Typical ACT score
  • Smith College 33
  • Carleton College 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • Smith College 4.0
  • Carleton College 3.9
  • Typical high school grades
  • Smith College A/A+
  • Carleton College A
  • Admissions standards
  • Smith College Elite
  • Carleton College Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Smith College Very High
  • Carleton College Very High
  • SAT range
  • Smith College 1420-1540
  • Carleton College 1450-1560
  • ACT range
  • Smith College 32-35
  • Carleton College 32-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Smith College Test optional
  • Carleton College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Smith College Jan 15, 2027
  • Carleton College Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Smith College $65,178
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Smith College $65,178
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Room & board
  • Smith College $22,570
  • Carleton College $17,586
  • Average net price
  • Smith College $27,305
  • Carleton College $28,047
  • Average grant aid
  • Smith College $58,725
  • Carleton College $56,846
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Smith College 67%
  • Carleton College 59%
  • Graduation rate
  • Smith College 85%
  • Carleton College 93%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Smith College $48,900
  • Carleton College $65,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • Smith College 80%
  • Carleton College 92%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Smith College $19,000
  • Carleton College $19,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Smith College $196
  • Carleton College $201
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Smith College 8:1
  • Carleton College 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Smith College
    • Social Sciences (22%)
    • Foreign Languages (12%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
    • Ethnic Studies (9%)
  • Carleton College
    • Social Sciences (23%)
    • Physical Sciences (14%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
  • Location
  • Smith College Northampton, MA
  • Carleton College Northfield, MN
  • Setting
  • Smith College Large Suburban
  • Carleton College Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Smith College 2,857
  • Carleton College 2,128
  • Type
  • Smith College Private 4 Year
  • Carleton College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Smith College #68
  • Carleton College #44

Comparable Facts

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

Smith College is larger than Carleton College based on total student enrollment (2,857 students vs. 2,128 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carleton College are 22.1% lower than at Smith College ($17,586 vs. $22,570).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 5.7% higher at Carleton College than at Smith College (about $3,714 more per year; $68,892 vs. $65,178).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Smith College than at Carleton College (67% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Smith College students is 3.3% larger than aid received by Carleton College students ($58,725 vs. $56,846).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Smith College students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 33) as students at Carleton College (33).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Smith College and Carleton College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Smith College Jan 15, 2027; Carleton College Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Smith College average a 4.0 high school GPA, 0.1 higher than at Carleton College (3.9).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.4% at Smith College vs. 34.8% at Carleton College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Smith College graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than Carleton College graduates ($19,000 vs. $19,500).
  • Among borrowers, Smith College graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carleton College graduates ($196 vs. $201).
  • More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Smith College students, three years after graduation (92% 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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