Payback
EarningsPlus
Economic score
Smith College is a private liberal arts college located in Northampton, Massachusetts. Smith College is selective in their admissions.
Return on educational investment at Smith College is in the bottom 50% of all ranked schools. The median student earns $56,419 10 years after enrolling, 33rd in Massachusetts, and in the top 25% nationally. When adjusted for earning differences by major, Smith College bachelor students earn 9% less than the national average. Smith College is ranked 39th in Massachusetts.
Smith College’s median net annual cost of $29,615 and average years to graduate of 4.2 are reported only at the school level. We assume these same costs and graduation time for all programs.
The top 6 programs at Smith College sorted by number of graduates - Research&Experimental Psych, Biology, Poli Sci/Government, Economics, History, English Language & Lit - are shown below. To see more programs, click on "see additional programs".
Annual net cost
$29,615
Average years to graduate
4.2
Computer Science
Rank: #226
Economic score: 3.2
Education
Rank: #22
Economic score: 7.02
Chemistry
Rank: #152
Economic score: 7.15
Neurobiology & Neurosciences
Rank: #35
Economic score: 8.4
Natural Resource Conservation
Rank: #166
Economic score: 11.53
Sociology
Rank: #305
Economic score: 11.87
Ethnic/Gender studies
Rank: #59
Economic score: 18.24
Fine & Studio Arts
Rank: #272
Economic score: 39.95
Area Studies
Rank: #56
Economic score: 45.07
Mathematics
Rank: #289
Economic score: 49.31
EarningPlus compares the three-year post graduate earnings to the median earnings of the same graduating class, with the same graduate degree. These 2 metrics, debt-to-earnings and EarningsPlus, are combined into an economic score. The lower the economic score the better.
The most popular 1 graduate programs at Smith College - Social Work - are shown below.
The average full-time graduate completes their degree in 4.2 years. 89% of all students graduate within 8 years including part-time students. The graduation rate at Smith College is 17% higher than the state average, and 21% above the average for all liberal arts colleges in the country.
At Smith College, Pell Grant recipients represent 22% of the measured graduating class, 13% lower than the national average of 35%. The average Pell Grant recipient at Smith College graduates within 4.2 years.
Smith College is in the top 50% of schools for graduating Pell recipients.
We calculate this performance by adjusting the graduation rate of Pell students by their percentage of the student body. This adjustment is made to prevent schools with large numbers of Pell students from underperforming in comparison to schools with few Pell students but high graduation rates.
Smith College’s economic mobility score of 18.56 is calculated by adjusting the 1.55 economic score of lower-income students by the 22% pell grant recipients within the student body. Smith College’s EMS of 18.56 ranks in the top 50% nationally.false
Economic Mobility
To calculate economic mobility of low-income (household earnings below $30,000) students, we adjust each institution’s economic score by their percentage of Pell Grant students. The logic of this Pell-adjusted calculation is derived from Third Way’s Economic Mobility Index (EMI).
Top 50%
The average Title IV recipient at Smith College pays $29,615 a year, $46,227 less than the $75,842 advertised. See below the cost breakdown for students who receive Title IV grants, broken down by income level.
Average net price
The average net price shown by income level for all students that receive Title IV aid. Calculated by deducting the average grant and scholarship aid from tuition, fees, books, and room and board. Limited to first-time, full-time students. Public institution figures are calculated using in-state tuition figures.
Median net price $29,615
Much of the gap between net price and sticker price is filled by institutional and government grants. At Smith College, 70% of students receive some grants and scholarships, compared to the national average of 87% for all colleges and universities. The average amount of federal, state, and institutional grants that students receive is shown on the right.
This leaves a total of $29,615 on average to be covered by the student – be it through loans or out of pocket. In total, 39% of students take out loans, federal or private, at an average amount of $4,269. This is 15% less than the national average.
Federal grants
$3,560
Pell grants
$5,028
State grants
$2,348
Institutional grants
$41,021
Smith College's selective admissions are indicated by their 30% acceptance rate. In 2021, the school had 6,064 applicants, of which 1,814 were admitted and 676 enrolled. Smith College doesn't have a rolling admissions policy, which means applications are reviewed after a hard admissions deadline.
Full time
99%
83%
Female
N/A
59%
First time
87%
59%
In-state
16%
68%
1st generation
19%
35%
White
47%
52%
Black
7%
14%
Hispanic
14%
15%
Asian
10%
5%
American Indian
N/A
1.6%
Pacific Islander
N/A
0.3%
Other
22%
12%