Head-to-head comparison
Carleton College vs. Smith College
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Carleton or Smith harder to get into?
Carleton is harder to get into than Smith. Carleton's 20.4% acceptance rate is lower than Smith's 21.0%.
Which is cheaper, Carleton or Smith?
Carleton costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Carleton's average net price is $25,407 vs $27,579 at Smith.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
Carleton graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $75,525 at Carleton and $64,027 at Smith.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Carleton | Smith |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 20.4% | 21.0% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1450–1560 | 1420–1540 |
| ACT mid-50% | 32–34 | 32–35 |
| Cost of attendance | $84,893 | $86,030 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $25,407 | $27,579 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 2,086 | 2,544 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 89.6% | 89.0% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $75,525 | $64,027 |
| Setting | Northfield, Minnesota | Northampton, Massachusetts |
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS) and school-published admit cycle data. Last verified May 2026.
The Real Differences
Selectivity is essentially the same. Carleton's 20.4% acceptance rate and Smith's 21.0% are within a percentage point of each other. For an unhooked applicant, the difference is statistical noise. Apply to whichever you genuinely prefer.
Carleton graduates earn $11,498 more on average at the 10-year mark. This usually reflects major distribution more than school quality — schools that concentrate in CS, engineering, and finance pull higher medians than schools with more humanities and social science graduates. Smith grads' earnings within the same major category are typically comparable.
Geographic difference matters more than the campus tour suggests. Carleton is in Northfield, Minnesota; Smith is in Northampton, Massachusetts. Climate, cost-of-living, and proximity to job markets in your target field shape the four-year experience and post-grad pipeline more than most prospective students realize.
Student Body Composition
The two schools have different student body compositions. Carleton is 50.3% women, 10.4% international, and 10.3% Asian-American. Smith is 100.0% women, 13.7% international, and 9.2% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Carleton | Smith |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 50.3% | 100.0% |
| International | 10.4% | 13.7% |
| White | 51.0% | 50.4% |
| Asian | 10.3% | 9.2% |
| Hispanic | 10.1% | 12.2% |
| Black | 5.9% | 5.1% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Carleton vs. Smith?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick Carleton if
- Net price matters: Carleton costs $2,172 less per year on average
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($75,525 vs $64,027)
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- the trimester system
Pick Smith if
- Your odds are realistic at Smith (slightly easier admit)
- its Five College Consortium access
Headline numbers favor one school or the other on each axis, but neither is unambiguously “better.” The right answer depends on your major fit, geographic preference, financial need, and personal odds at each. Most applicants who get into one of these schools also get into the other.
Full School Pages
For complete admissions data, supplemental essay strategy, and class profile breakdowns:
Full profile
Carleton College
20.4% accept · Northfield, Minnesota
Full profile
Smith College
21.0% accept · Northampton, Massachusetts
Sources
- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard for acceptance rates, test ranges, financial aid, demographics, completion, and earnings.
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) for the underlying federal data.
- Each school's most recent published Common Data Set for cycle-specific admissions stats.
Last verified May 2026. Stats reflect each school's most recent publicly published admit cycle.