BC vs. Williams

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

Boston College
Williams College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Williams (8.3% admitted vs 16.4%). Typical SAT 1530 vs 1490.
  • Cheaper after aid: Williams. Average net price is $15,894 vs $32,519 at BC.
  • Graduation: BC 91% vs Williams 95%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: BC $90,900 vs Williams $73,600 (median).
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Key differences

Boston College Williams College
Acceptance rate
Williams more selective
BC16.4%
Williams8.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Williams higher
BC1440-1540
Williams1490-1570
Average net price
Williams $16,625 less
BC$32,519
Williams$15,894
In-state tuition
Williams $2,142 less
BC$70,702
Williams$68,560
Out-of-state tuition
Williams $2,142 less
BC$70,702
Williams$68,560
Graduation rate
Williams +4 pts
BC91%
Williams95%
Median earnings (10 years)
BC +$17,300
BC$90,900
Williams$73,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • BC 35,037
  • Williams 15,411
  • Admitted
  • BC 5,755
  • Williams 1,272
  • Acceptance rate
  • BC 16.4%
  • Williams 8.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • BC 43.5%
  • Williams 43%
  • Typical SAT score
  • BC 1490
  • Williams 1530
  • Typical ACT score
  • BC 34
  • Williams 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • BC 3.86
  • Williams 3.94
  • Typical high school grades
  • BC A
  • Williams A
  • Admissions standards
  • BC Elite
  • Williams Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • BC Very High
  • Williams Extreme
  • SAT range
  • BC 1440-1540
  • Williams 1490-1570
  • ACT range
  • BC 33-35
  • Williams 34-35
  • Submit test scores
  • BC Test optional
  • Williams Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • BC Jan 1, 2027
  • Williams Jan 10, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • BC $70,702
  • Williams $68,560
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • BC $70,702
  • Williams $68,560
  • Room & board
  • BC $18,916
  • Williams $17,260
  • Average net price
  • BC $32,519
  • Williams $15,894
  • Average grant aid
  • BC $56,971
  • Williams $68,966
  • % receiving grant aid
  • BC 40%
  • Williams 54%
  • Graduation rate
  • BC 91%
  • Williams 95%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • BC $90,900
  • Williams $73,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • BC 90%
  • Williams 83%
  • Median student loan debt
  • BC $19,000
  • Williams $14,582
  • Median loan payment
  • BC $196
  • Williams $150
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • BC 10:1
  • Williams 6:1
  • Popular majors
  • BC
    • Business (24%)
    • Social Sciences (17%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
  • Williams
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • History (9%)
    • Foreign Languages (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Location
  • BC Chestnut Hill, MA
  • Williams Williamstown, MA
  • Setting
  • BC Small City
  • Williams Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • BC 15,432
  • Williams 2,164
  • Type
  • BC Private 4 Year
  • Williams Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • BC #34
  • Williams #14

Comparable Facts

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

Boston College is larger than Williams based on total student enrollment (15,432 students vs. 2,164 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Boston College is located in Chestnut Hill, MA (Small City setting); Williams College is in Williamstown, MA (Distant Town setting).
  • Boston College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Williams College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Boston College 10:1; Williams College 6:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Williams College are 8.8% lower than at Boston College ($17,260 vs. $18,916).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 3.1% higher at BC than at Williams College (about $2,142 more per year; $70,702 vs. $68,560).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Williams College than at Boston College (54% vs. 40%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Williams College students is 21.1% larger than aid received by Boston College students ($68,966 vs. $56,971).

Admissions details

  • Incoming BC students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 34) as students at Williams (34).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both BC and Williams.
  • Typical fall application deadline: BC Jan 1, 2027; Williams Jan 10, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Williams average a 3.94 high school GPA, 0.08 higher than at BC (3.86).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43.5% at BC vs. 43% at Williams.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Williams College graduates have a $4,418 lower median loan debt than BC graduates ($14,582 vs. $19,000).
  • Among borrowers, Williams graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BC graduates ($150 vs. $196).
  • More BC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Williams students, three years after graduation (90% 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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