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Williams College

Williamstown, MA·Private nonprofit·2,060 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for high-achieving applicants seeking a top-tier program and families looking for lower cost. no major red flags in the data. graduates earn a median of $89,800 within 10 years; exceptional 97% graduation rate.

10%
Accept
2,060
Students
$14,852
Net Price
97%
Grad Rate
$89,800
Earnings
10 yr
$11,667
Debt

About This School

Williams College is a private nonprofit institution located in Williamstown, Massachusetts with approximately 2,060 undergraduate students enrolled. Admissions are highly selective, with an acceptance rate of 10%. The average net price after financial aid is $14,852 per year. The graduation rate is 97%, and the typical graduate earns $89,800 within 10 years of enrollment.

Williams College is a private liberal arts college in Williamstown, Massachusetts, United States. It was established as a men's college in 1793 with funds from the estate of Ephraim Williams, a colonist from the Province of Massachusetts Bay who was killed in the French and Indian War in 1755.

This is a strong option for students who thrive in small, discussion-driven academic environments — with a 97% graduation rate and median earnings of $89,800 a decade out, the outcomes are hard to argue with. The average net price of just under $15,000/year is genuinely impressive for a school this selective, and median debt at graduation sits at a low $11,667, meaning most students leave without a financial albatross. The main concern is straightforward: at a 10% acceptance rate and tucked away in a very rural corner of western Massachusetts, it's both a long shot and a specific kind of place — students who want urban energy or a large campus social scene should look elsewhere.

Founded
1793
Setting
Fringe town

Popular Programs

Social Sciences29%
Biological Sciences10%
Computer Science9%
Physical Sciences9%
Visual & Performing Arts8%
English8%
Psychology5%
Mathematics5%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

James A. GarfieldElia KazanReza PahlaviRobert F. EngleGoh Chok TongStephen SondheimDan CalichmanG. Stanley HallJohn FrankenheimerDavid StrathairnEdward W. MorleyWilliam Cullen Bryant

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average Composite1527
Reading 75th %ile770
Math 75th %ile790

ACT Scores

Midpoint CompositeN/A

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$64,860
Out-of-State Tuition
$64,860
Avg Net Price
$14,852
after aid

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants17%
Median debt at graduation$11,667

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
97%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
97%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$89,800
after enrollment
Median Debt
$11,667
at graduation

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$11,667
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$51,400
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$89,800
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 7.7x

Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White47%
Black5%
Hispanic/Latino14%
Asian14%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2,060 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Williams College

880 Main St

Williamstown, MA 01267

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in Massachusetts

Browse all Massachusetts schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
Trademarks

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