At $26,181/yr net price, Smith College graduates earn $64,027/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $30,027/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $26,181 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $104,724 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $64,027/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$30,027/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 89.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $17,550 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $7,033/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $9,382/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $12,149/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $17,628/yr |
| $110,001+ | $39,722/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social Work. | Doctoral | $83,177 | |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $71,957 | $19,000 |
| Economics. | Bachelor | $47,650 | $19,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Master | $46,620 | |
| Social Work. | Master | $45,554 | $60,256 |
| Education, General. | Master | $43,798 | |
| Chemistry. | Bachelor | $42,682 | |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor | $39,153 | $19,000 |
| Sociology. | Bachelor | $35,416 | $19,000 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences. | Bachelor | $34,603 | $18,558 |
The Risk Factor
89.7% of students at Smith College graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
Smith College gives you a solid financial return if you pick the right major and come from a lower-income family. The median debt of $17,550 stays below the annual median earnings, and a 92.57% retention rate plus an 89.70% graduation rate mean you are likely to finish and start earning instead of paying for credits you never use.
The major you choose decides everything here. Computer Science pays roughly $72,000 ten years out, while Sociology lands near $35,000 for the same debt load of about $19,000. That is a $36,000 annual gap between two Smith degrees carrying identical debt. Economics, Chemistry, and Political Science sit in the middle to low $40,000s, which is modest for a private college near Northampton. If you graduate with a humanities or social science degree outside CS or Economics, expect earnings that make repaying even Smith's low debt feel slow.
The net price tiers are where Smith earns its reputation. If your family makes under $30,000, you pay about $7,000 a year, and the $30-48k and $48-75k tiers stay in low-to-mid four figures. That is the strong case for attending. Above $110,000, you pay nearly $40,000 a year, and at that price a $35,000 sociology outcome does not justify the cost.
Smith is a good financial fit for you if you qualify for generous aid and plan to major in Computer Science or Economics. If your family pays the full $39,722 sticker and you lean toward the lower-earning majors, the math works against you, and you should compare cheaper options before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Smith College worth the cost?
Smith College graduates earn $64,027 ten years after graduation, which is below average for the net price of $26,181 per year. The school's value depends heavily on your major, with social work and computer science graduates earning significantly more than liberal arts majors.
What are the highest paying majors at Smith College?
Computer science and social work are Smith College's best ROI programs, with graduates earning $71,957 and $83,177 respectively. Liberal arts and humanities majors earn considerably less at around $46,620, making program choice critical for financial outcomes.
How much debt do Smith College students graduate with?
Smith College students graduate with a median debt of $17,550, which is relatively manageable. The low debt load helps offset the modest post-graduation earnings for many majors.
Does Smith College provide good financial aid?
Smith College reduces costs significantly through financial aid, with students paying an average net price of $26,181 per year. This makes the college more accessible than its full sticker price suggests, though earnings outcomes vary widely by field of study.