BU vs. Williams

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

Boston University
Williams College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Williams (8.3% admitted vs 11.1%). Typical SAT 1530 vs 1480.
  • Cheaper after aid: Williams. Average net price is $15,894 vs $24,420 at BU.
  • Graduation: BU 85% vs Williams 95%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: BU $72,000 vs Williams $73,600 (median).
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Key differences

Boston University Williams College
Acceptance rate
Williams more selective
BU11.1%
Williams8.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Williams higher
BU1420-1530
Williams1490-1570
Average net price
Williams $8,526 less
BU$24,420
Williams$15,894
In-state tuition
BU $458 less
BU$68,102
Williams$68,560
Out-of-state tuition
BU $458 less
BU$68,102
Williams$68,560
Graduation rate
Williams +10 pts
BU85%
Williams95%
Median earnings (10 years)
Williams +$1,600
BU$72,000
Williams$73,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • BU 78,769
  • Williams 15,411
  • Admitted
  • BU 8,749
  • Williams 1,272
  • Acceptance rate
  • BU 11.1%
  • Williams 8.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • BU 37.4%
  • Williams 43%
  • Typical SAT score
  • BU 1480
  • Williams 1530
  • Typical ACT score
  • BU 33
  • Williams 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • BU 3.79
  • Williams 3.94
  • Typical high school grades
  • BU A-
  • Williams A
  • Admissions standards
  • BU Exceptional
  • Williams Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • BU Very High
  • Williams Extreme
  • SAT range
  • BU 1420-1530
  • Williams 1490-1570
  • ACT range
  • BU 32-34
  • Williams 34-35
  • Submit test scores
  • BU Test optional
  • Williams Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • BU Jan 4, 2027
  • Williams Jan 10, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • BU $68,102
  • Williams $68,560
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • BU $68,102
  • Williams $68,560
  • Room & board
  • BU $19,020
  • Williams $17,260
  • Average net price
  • BU $24,420
  • Williams $15,894
  • Average grant aid
  • BU $61,848
  • Williams $68,966
  • % receiving grant aid
  • BU 49%
  • Williams 54%
  • Graduation rate
  • BU 85%
  • Williams 95%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • BU $72,000
  • Williams $73,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • BU 82%
  • Williams 83%
  • Median student loan debt
  • BU $27,000
  • Williams $14,582
  • Median loan payment
  • BU $279
  • Williams $150
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • BU 10:1
  • Williams 6:1
  • Popular majors
  • BU
    • Business (21%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Communication (15%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Engineering (7%)
  • Williams
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • History (9%)
    • Foreign Languages (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Location
  • BU Boston, MA
  • Williams Williamstown, MA
  • Setting
  • BU Large City
  • Williams Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • BU 37,737
  • Williams 2,164
  • Type
  • BU Private 4 Year
  • Williams Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • BU #73
  • Williams #14

Comparable Facts

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

Boston University is larger than Williams based on total student enrollment (37,737 students vs. 2,164 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Williams College are 9.3% lower than at Boston University ($17,260 vs. $19,020).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 0.7% higher at Williams than at Boston University (about $458 more per year; $68,560 vs. $68,102).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Williams College than at Boston University (54% vs. 49%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Williams College students is 11.5% larger than aid received by Boston University students ($68,966 vs. $61,848).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Williams than at BU (34 vs. 33, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both BU and Williams.
  • Typical fall application deadline: BU Jan 4, 2027; Williams Jan 10, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Williams average a 3.94 high school GPA, 0.15 higher than at BU (3.79).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 37.4% at BU vs. 43% at Williams.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Williams College graduates have a $12,418 lower median loan debt than BU graduates ($14,582 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Williams graduates have an estimated $129 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BU graduates ($150 vs. $279).
  • More Williams graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BU students, three years after graduation (83% vs. 82%).

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

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