Amherst vs. Williams

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

Amherst College
Williams College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Williams (8.3% admitted vs 9%). Typical SAT 1530 vs 1540.
  • Cheaper after aid: Williams. Average net price is $15,894 vs $19,049 at Amherst.
  • Graduation: Amherst 96% vs Williams 95%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Amherst $82,000 vs Williams $73,600 (median).
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Key differences

Amherst College Williams College
Acceptance rate
Williams more selective
Amherst9%
Williams8.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Amherst higher
Amherst1490-1580
Williams1490-1570
Average net price
Williams $3,155 less
Amherst$19,049
Williams$15,894
In-state tuition
Williams $1,920 less
Amherst$70,480
Williams$68,560
Out-of-state tuition
Williams $1,920 less
Amherst$70,480
Williams$68,560
Graduation rate
Amherst +1 pts
Amherst96%
Williams95%
Median earnings (10 years)
Amherst +$8,400
Amherst$82,000
Williams$73,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Amherst 13,743
  • Williams 15,411
  • Admitted
  • Amherst 1,238
  • Williams 1,272
  • Acceptance rate
  • Amherst 9%
  • Williams 8.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Amherst 38.8%
  • Williams 43%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Amherst 1540
  • Williams 1530
  • Typical ACT score
  • Amherst 34
  • Williams 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Amherst 3.91
  • Williams 3.94
  • Typical high school grades
  • Amherst A
  • Williams A
  • Admissions standards
  • Amherst Elite
  • Williams Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Amherst Extreme
  • Williams Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Amherst 1490-1580
  • Williams 1490-1570
  • ACT range
  • Amherst 33-35
  • Williams 34-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Amherst Test optional
  • Williams Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Amherst Jan 2, 2027
  • Williams Jan 10, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Williams $68,560
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Williams $68,560
  • Room & board
  • Amherst $18,390
  • Williams $17,260
  • Average net price
  • Amherst $19,049
  • Williams $15,894
  • Average grant aid
  • Amherst $68,591
  • Williams $68,966
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Amherst 59%
  • Williams 54%
  • Graduation rate
  • Amherst 96%
  • Williams 95%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Amherst $82,000
  • Williams $73,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • Amherst 83%
  • Williams 83%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Amherst $12,975
  • Williams $14,582
  • Median loan payment
  • Amherst $134
  • Williams $150
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Amherst 6:1
  • Williams 6:1
  • Popular majors
  • Amherst
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Williams
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • History (9%)
    • Foreign Languages (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Location
  • Amherst Amherst, MA
  • Williams Williamstown, MA
  • Setting
  • Amherst Town Fringe
  • Williams Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Amherst 1,914
  • Williams 2,164
  • Type
  • Amherst Private 4 Year
  • Williams Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Amherst #13
  • Williams #14

Comparable Facts

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

Williams College is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (2,164 students vs. 1,914 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Williams College is in Williamstown, MA (Distant Town setting).
  • Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Williams College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; Williams College 6:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Williams College are 6.1% lower than at Amherst College ($17,260 vs. $18,390).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 2.8% higher at Amherst than at Williams College (about $1,920 more per year; $70,480 vs. $68,560).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Amherst College than at Williams College (59% vs. 54%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Williams College students is 0.5% larger than aid received by Amherst College students ($68,966 vs. $68,591).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Amherst students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 34) as students at Williams (34).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Amherst and Williams.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Williams Jan 10, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Williams average a 3.94 high school GPA, 0.03 higher than at Amherst (3.91).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 43% at Williams.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $1,607 lower median loan debt than Williams graduates ($12,975 vs. $14,582).
  • Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Williams graduates ($134 vs. $150).
  • More Amherst graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Williams students, three years after graduation (83% vs. 83%).

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

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