Head-to-head comparison
Skidmore College vs. Smith College
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Skidmore or Smith harder to get into?
Smith is harder to get into than Skidmore. Smith's 21.0% acceptance rate is lower than Skidmore's 21.1%.
Which is cheaper, Skidmore or Smith?
Smith costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Smith's average net price is $27,579 vs $32,297 at Skidmore.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
Skidmore graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $69,363 at Skidmore and $64,027 at Smith.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Skidmore | Smith |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 21.1% | 21.0% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1340–1480 | 1420–1540 |
| ACT mid-50% | 31–33 | 32–35 |
| Cost of attendance | $85,270 | $86,030 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $32,297 | $27,579 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 2,694 | 2,544 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 82.6% | 89.0% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $69,363 | $64,027 |
| Setting | Saratoga Springs, NY | 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. Skidmore's 21.1% 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.
Smith draws stronger test scores. Mid-50% SAT range tops out at 1540 vs 1480 at the other school. Differences in test profile usually reflect a school's STEM-vs-humanities mix and the self-selection of applicants, not raw academic quality.
Geographic difference matters more than the campus tour suggests. Skidmore is in Saratoga Springs, NY; 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.
Smith has a more international student body (13.7% non-resident students vs 7.4%). For applicants who value global exposure or have international academic interests, that mix shows up in classroom culture and alumni network.
Smith's graduation rate is meaningfully higher (89.0% vs 82.6% 6-year completion). Graduation gaps at this level usually reflect support-system differences, financial aid adequacy, or degree-flexibility — worth verifying with each school's first-year retention and major-change policies.
Student Body Composition
The two schools have different student body compositions. Skidmore is 59.9% women, 7.4% international, and 5.9% Asian-American. Smith is 100.0% women, 13.7% international, and 9.2% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Skidmore | Smith |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 59.9% | 100.0% |
| International | 7.4% | 13.7% |
| White | 64.3% | 50.4% |
| Asian | 5.9% | 9.2% |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 12.2% |
| Black | 4.3% | 5.1% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Skidmore vs. Smith?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick Skidmore if
- Your odds are realistic at Skidmore (slightly easier admit)
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($69,363 vs $64,027)
- the Saratoga Springs campus
Pick Smith if
- Net price matters: Smith costs $4,718 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
Skidmore College
21.1% accept · Saratoga Springs, NY
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.