Three of these schools appear in a statistically based (standardized scoring) ranking that combines LACs and universities (Bowdoin does not appear, either as a consequence of their test optional policy or as an oversight):
http://www.businessinsider.com/the-50-smartest-colleges-in-america-2016-10
Colgate (50) ties with Brandeis.
Middlebury (46) falls between CWRU (47) and UMichigan, Boston College and USC (tied at 43).
Hamilton (38) ranks a few places higher than UC-Berkeley (42).
When considering these two classes, I’d regard LACs as the more traditionally collegiate alternative.