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Northampton, Massachusetts (cropped)Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0
Colleges in and near Northampton

Northampton is home to Smith College

Smith College (2,830 students on campus) is inside the city. About 14% of Northampton’s residents are enrolled in college, above Massachusetts (8%).

Smith College

From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Northampton. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
8
43,344 students on campus
Nearest college
2 mi
Smith College
Residents in college
14%
Above MA (8%)
Nearest community college
9.2 mi
Holyoke · $5,988 tuition
Nearest public university
8.6 mi
University of Massachusetts-Amherst · $17,772 in-state
Median household income
$80K
prices below start here

What stands out about college in Northampton

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

A college in NorthamptonSmith College has 2,830 students on campus in Northampton, 89% of whom graduate within six years.In-state price at University of Massachusetts-AmherstLiving in Massachusetts, the University of Massachusetts-Amherst charges $17,772 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $40,449. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.A community college 9.2 miles awayHolyoke Community College in Holyoke: tuition and fees $5,988 a year for Massachusetts residents.Students are 14% of residentsAbove Massachusetts (8%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Northampton

Five private colleges within 13.3 miles, two public colleges within 14.8 miles, and Holyoke Community College 9.2 miles away.

5 mi10 mi15 miUniversity of Massachusetts-AmherstWestfield StateSmith CollegeNorthampton
University or collegeCommunity college
Smith CollegeUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 2,830 on campus · In Northampton21%admitted$28knet price89%graduate$64kearningsMount Holyoke CollegeUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 2,210 on campus · 7.2 mi · South Hadley36%admitted$26knet price84%graduate$58kearningsHampshire CollegeUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 717 on campus · 7.3 mi · Amherst75%admitted$24knet price54%graduate$47kearningsUniversity of Massachusetts-AmherstUniversity or college · Public · 28,168 on campus · 8.6 mi · Amherst60%admitted$22knet price83%graduate$72kearningsAmherst CollegeUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 1,910 on campus · 8.6 mi · Amherst9%admitted$23knet price94%graduate$78kearningsHolyoke Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · 2,424 on campus · 9.2 mi · Holyoke$8knet price29%graduate$37kearningsTuition and fees: $5,988 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.College of Our Lady of the ElmsUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 1,066 on campus · 13.3 mi · Chicopee85%admitted$18knet price68%graduate$52kearningsWestfield State UniversityUniversity or college · Public · 4,019 on campus · 14.8 mi · Westfield81%admitted$17knet price54%graduate$57kearnings

Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.

What it costs

What would your family pay?

The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at $75–110k, where Northampton’s median household income ($80,288) falls.

Holyoke Community College9.2 mi · Holyoke · sticker $15,043 · tuition $5,988$9,415a year
Smith CollegeIn Northampton · sticker $86,030$11,750a year
Westfield State University14.8 mi · Westfield · sticker $27,649$18,201a year
University of Massachusetts-Amherst8.6 mi · Amherst · sticker $34,549$18,964a year
College of Our Lady of the Elms13.3 mi · Chicopee · sticker $54,027$21,243a year
Amherst College8.6 mi · Amherst · sticker $87,640$23,639a year
Mount Holyoke College7.2 mi · South Hadley · sticker $84,926$24,247a year
Hampshire College7.3 mi · Amherst · sticker $74,195$25,447a year

The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college within 15 miles of Northampton: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →Smith CollegeMount Holyoke CollegeUniversity of Massachusetts-AmherstAmherst CollegeHolyokeWestfield State
University of Massachusetts-Amherst83% graduate$72k earnings$23k typical debt
Westfield State University54% graduate$57k earnings$22k typical debt
Smith College89% graduate$64k earnings$18k typical debt
Holyoke Community College29% graduate$37k earnings$8k typical debt
Mount Holyoke College84% graduate$58k earnings$23k typical debt
Amherst College94% graduate$78k earnings$14k typical debt
College of Our Lady of the Elms68% graduate$52k earnings$25k typical debt
Hampshire College54% graduate$47k earnings$27k typical debt

Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid.

Majors

What students study in Northampton

Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field at Smith College, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.

Social sciences 16%Biology 10%Physical sciences 8%Computer science 8%Visual & performing arts 7%Psychology 6%Everything else 44%

Biggest programs

Research and Experimental Psychology80 graduates a year
$51k4 yrs out
Political Science and Government60 graduates a year
$69k4 yrs out
English Language and Literature, General45 graduates a year
$53k4 yrs out
Biology, General45 graduates a year
$63k4 yrs out
Economics45 graduates a year
$88k4 yrs out
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies39 graduates a year
$46k4 yrs out
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics32 graduates a year
$58k4 yrs out
Fine and Studio Arts32 graduates a year
$43k4 yrs out

College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating.

Questions about college in Northampton

Is Northampton a college town?

No. About 14 of every 100 Northampton residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), above Massachusetts (8). The largest campus in the city, Smith College, has 2,830 students on campus.

What colleges are in Northampton?

Smith College is inside the city. Holyoke Community College is 9.2 miles away in Holyoke.

What is the closest community college to Northampton, and what does it cost?

Holyoke Community College in Holyoke, 9.2 miles away. Tuition and fees are $5,988 a year for Massachusetts residents; the federal net price, $8,068, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does the University of Massachusetts-Amherst cost if we live in Massachusetts?

Tuition and fees are $17,772 a year in-state and $40,449 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $10,164 (under $30,000 income) to $30,793 (over $110,000), housing and food included.

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Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Northampton. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →