Head-to-head comparison
University of Richmond vs. Smith College
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Richmond or Smith harder to get into?
Smith is harder to get into than Richmond. Smith's 21.0% acceptance rate is lower than Richmond's 22.2%.
Which is cheaper, Richmond or Smith?
Smith costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Smith's average net price is $27,579 vs $31,309 at Richmond.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
Richmond graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $76,178 at Richmond and $64,027 at Smith.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Richmond | Smith |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 22.2% | 21.0% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1410–1530 | 1420–1540 |
| ACT mid-50% | 33–35 | 32–35 |
| Cost of attendance | $80,961 | $86,030 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $31,309 | $27,579 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 2,980 | 2,544 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 85.2% | 89.0% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $76,178 | $64,027 |
| Setting | Richmond, Virginia | Northampton, Massachusetts |
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS) and school-published admit cycle data. Last verified May 2026.
The Real Differences
Smith is modestly harder to get into. The 1.2-point gap matters at the margin but doesn't change the overall difficulty tier. Both schools draw similar applicant pools and admit similar profiles.
Richmond graduates earn $12,151 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. Richmond is in Richmond, Virginia; 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. Richmond is 54.1% women, 10.7% international, and 6.2% Asian-American. Smith is 100.0% women, 13.7% international, and 9.2% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Richmond | Smith |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 54.1% | 100.0% |
| International | 10.7% | 13.7% |
| White | 61.9% | 50.4% |
| Asian | 6.2% | 9.2% |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 12.2% |
| Black | 6.5% | 5.1% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Richmond vs. Smith?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick Richmond if
- Your odds are realistic at Richmond (slightly easier admit)
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($76,178 vs $64,027)
- the Robins School of Business
Pick Smith if
- Net price matters: Smith costs $3,730 less per year on average
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- 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
University of Richmond
22.2% accept · Richmond, Virginia
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.