AU vs. Williams

American University and Williams College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

American University
Williams College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Williams (8.3% admitted vs 62%). Typical SAT 1530 vs 1370.
  • Cheaper after aid: Williams. Average net price is $15,894 vs $39,676 at AU.
  • Graduation: AU 77% vs Williams 95%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: AU $64,800 vs Williams $73,600 (median).
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Key differences

American University Williams College
Acceptance rate
Williams more selective
AU62%
Williams8.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Williams higher
AU1280-1460
Williams1490-1570
Average net price
Williams $23,782 less
AU$39,676
Williams$15,894
In-state tuition
AU $9,789 less
AU$58,771
Williams$68,560
Out-of-state tuition
AU $9,789 less
AU$58,771
Williams$68,560
Graduation rate
Williams +18 pts
AU77%
Williams95%
Median earnings (10 years)
Williams +$8,800
AU$64,800
Williams$73,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • AU 17,173
  • Williams 15,411
  • Admitted
  • AU 10,640
  • Williams 1,272
  • Acceptance rate
  • AU 62%
  • Williams 8.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • AU 15.6%
  • Williams 43%
  • Typical SAT score
  • AU 1370
  • Williams 1530
  • Typical ACT score
  • AU 30
  • Williams 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • AU 3.7
  • Williams 3.94
  • Typical high school grades
  • AU A-
  • Williams A
  • Admissions standards
  • AU Very High
  • Williams Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • AU Low
  • Williams Extreme
  • SAT range
  • AU 1280-1460
  • Williams 1490-1570
  • ACT range
  • AU 29-32
  • Williams 34-35
  • Submit test scores
  • AU Test optional
  • Williams Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • AU Jan 15, 2027
  • Williams Jan 10, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • AU $58,771
  • Williams $68,560
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • AU $58,771
  • Williams $68,560
  • Room & board
  • AU $17,982
  • Williams $17,260
  • Average net price
  • AU $39,676
  • Williams $15,894
  • Average grant aid
  • AU $36,349
  • Williams $68,966
  • % receiving grant aid
  • AU 67%
  • Williams 54%
  • Graduation rate
  • AU 77%
  • Williams 95%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • AU $64,800
  • Williams $73,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • AU 80%
  • Williams 83%
  • Median student loan debt
  • AU $24,250
  • Williams $14,582
  • Median loan payment
  • AU $250
  • Williams $150
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • AU 10:1
  • Williams 6:1
  • Popular majors
  • AU
    • Social Sciences (43%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
    • Psychology (3%)
  • Williams
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • History (9%)
    • Foreign Languages (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Location
  • AU Washington, DC
  • Williams Williamstown, MA
  • Setting
  • AU Large City
  • Williams Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • AU 12,321
  • Williams 2,164
  • Type
  • AU Private 4 Year
  • Williams Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • AU #94
  • Williams #14

Comparable Facts

Compare American University in Washington, DC with Williams College in Williamstown, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

American University is larger than Williams based on total student enrollment (12,321 students vs. 2,164 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • American University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Williams College is in Williamstown, MA (Distant Town setting).
  • American University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Williams College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: American University 10:1; Williams College 6:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Williams College are 4% lower than at American University ($17,260 vs. $17,982).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 16.7% higher at Williams than at American University (about $9,789 more per year; $68,560 vs. $58,771).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at American University than at Williams College (67% vs. 54%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Williams College students is 89.7% larger than aid received by American University students ($68,966 vs. $36,349).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at Williams than at AU (34 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both AU and Williams.
  • Typical fall application deadline: AU Jan 15, 2027; Williams Jan 10, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Williams average a 3.94 high school GPA, 0.24 higher than at AU (3.7).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at AU vs. 43% at Williams.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Williams College graduates have a $9,668 lower median loan debt than AU graduates ($14,582 vs. $24,250).
  • Among borrowers, Williams graduates have an estimated $100 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AU graduates ($150 vs. $250).
  • More Williams graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AU students, three years after graduation (83% vs. 80%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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