What makes Smith different
- An open curriculum. No core requirements beyond one first-year writing course and a major.
- Engineering at a women's college. Smith's Picker Engineering Program was the first ABET-accredited engineering program at a women's college.
- Houses, not dorms. About 40 self-governing houses with all four class years together.
What Smith students study
The most common bachelor's degrees (class of 2024): psychology (62), biology (41), political science (41), engineering science (39), english language and literature (36) and computer science (29). Source: IPEDS Completions, first majors only.
You may thrive at Smith if…
- You want a women's college with real freedom in what you study.
- You're drawn to engineering, the sciences or the arts.
- You'd like a walkable town with cafés and music.
Worth asking about
- How do Five College courses work?
- What are Praxis internship stipends?
How Smith compares with other liberal arts colleges
Smith admitted 21.0% of applicants for fall 2024 and is one of four women's colleges in this group. See how these 20 liberal arts colleges compare.
FAQ
What is Smith College's acceptance rate? 21.0% for fall 2024: 1,820 of 8,666 applicants were admitted.
Does Smith have early decision? Yes. Smith offers binding early decision in two rounds, Early Decision I and II. Source
Does Smith require the SAT or ACT? No. Smith has been test-optional since 2009. This applies to students applying in 2026–27 for fall 2027. Source
Does Smith charge out-of-state tuition? No. Smith is private, so published tuition and fees are the same for students from any state: $65,178 a year before aid. About 74% of first-year students came from outside Massachusetts.
How much is Smith tuition per semester? About $32,589 a semester, half the published $65,178 a year, before aid.
How many students go to Smith? About 2,500 undergraduates (fall 2024).
What is Smith known for? Its open curriculum, engineering program and house system.
How much does Smith cost? Published tuition and fees are $65,178 a year before aid, and the total cost of attendance is $86,030. Students who received aid paid $31,087 a year on average.
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