Academic Comparison between Salem State and Smith

Salem State University and Smith College are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Salem State is a four-year, public school located in Salem, MA and Smith is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Northampton, MA.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • Salem State is a public and Smith is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • Smith has more expensive tuition & fees ($65,178) than Salem State ($19,531).
  • It is harder to admit to Smith than Salem State.
  • Salem State has more students with 6,230 students while Smith has 2,857 students.
  • Smith has a lower number of students per faculty with 8 to 1 while Salem State's ratio is 12 to 1.
  • Smith has more full-time faculties with 338 faculties while Salem State has 296 full-time faculties.
Which school is more in your mind and would you like to go to?
Salem State Smith
Vote to see the other's choices.

Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Salem State Universityvs.Smith College
Salem, MassachusettsLocationNorthampton, Massachusetts
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Master's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Master's College and University (larger programs)Carnegie ClassificationBaccalaureate College - Arts & Sciences
In-State$12,338
Out-Of-State$19,531
2025 Tuition & Fees$65,178
72%% Receiving Financial Aid71%
$10,493Average Amount of Financial Aid$57,028
95.88 %Acceptance Rates21.00 %
11.25 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)35.44 %
-SAT Score1,490
-ACT Score34
50 %Graduation Rate89 %
-Transfer-out Rate7 %
75 %Retention Rate94 %
6,230Student Population2,857
296Number of Faculties338
12 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio8 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesStudy Abroad, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services