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Engineering at Smith College

Northampton, MA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Engineering, General

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $53,571/yr (-23% vs median)

AI Risk High (46% exposed)

Job Market Medium (27,900 openings/yr)

ROI 3.4x earnings multiple

Ranked #39 of 47 Engineering, General programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Engineering graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$863K	$831K	$722K
Earnings Multiple	3.5x	3.4x	2.9x
Probability of Field Employment	69%	63%	47%
DegreeOutlook Score	51	50	48

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$246,272

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$104,724

57% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$19,000

4.3 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$90,266

68% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $53,571 place Smith College below the $69,222 national median for Engineering — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

An earnings multiple of 3.4x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.

Some AI exposure exists in Engineering's typical career paths, with 46% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 16% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $53,571 far exceeding the $19,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #39 of 47 Engineering programs, Smith College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $90,266 show a 68% jump from the $53,571 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Smith College

Smith College accepts 20% of applicants — selective, though not ultra-competitive, with a smaller student body of 2,501 in Northampton, MA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $104,724 — 57% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Smith College →

Top Career Paths

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr

Engineers, all other $117,750/yr

Engineering teachers, postsecondary $106,120/yr

View all 3 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Engineering at Other Schools

Other Majors at Smith College

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Engineering at Smith College?

This program scores 50/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Engineering programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.

Will AI replace Engineering careers?

With 46% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $721,502 in decade earnings vs $862,952 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Engineering from Smith College?

First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.

Is Smith College a hidden gem for Engineering?

After financial aid, the average student pays $104,724 over four years — 57% below the $246,272 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →