Emerson vs. Williams

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

Emerson College
Williams College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Williams (8.3% admitted vs 51.3%). Typical SAT 1530 vs 1350.
  • Cheaper after aid: Williams. Average net price is $15,894 vs $53,432 at Emerson.
  • Graduation: Emerson 81% vs Williams 95%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Emerson $49,200 vs Williams $73,600 (median).
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Key differences

Emerson College Williams College
Acceptance rate
Williams more selective
Emerson51.3%
Williams8.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Williams higher
Emerson1270-1420
Williams1490-1570
Average net price
Williams $37,538 less
Emerson$53,432
Williams$15,894
In-state tuition
Emerson $11,504 less
Emerson$57,056
Williams$68,560
Out-of-state tuition
Emerson $11,504 less
Emerson$57,056
Williams$68,560
Graduation rate
Williams +14 pts
Emerson81%
Williams95%
Median earnings (10 years)
Williams +$24,400
Emerson$49,200
Williams$73,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Emerson 10,378
  • Williams 15,411
  • Admitted
  • Emerson 5,325
  • Williams 1,272
  • Acceptance rate
  • Emerson 51.3%
  • Williams 8.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Emerson 15.5%
  • Williams 43%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Emerson 1350
  • Williams 1530
  • Typical ACT score
  • Emerson 30
  • Williams 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Emerson 3.73
  • Williams 3.94
  • Typical high school grades
  • Emerson A-
  • Williams A
  • Admissions standards
  • Emerson Very High
  • Williams Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Emerson Low
  • Williams Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Emerson 1270-1420
  • Williams 1490-1570
  • ACT range
  • Emerson 29-32
  • Williams 34-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Emerson Test optional
  • Williams Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Emerson Feb 20, 2027
  • Williams Jan 10, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Williams $68,560
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Williams $68,560
  • Room & board
  • Emerson $20,920
  • Williams $17,260
  • Average net price
  • Emerson $53,432
  • Williams $15,894
  • Average grant aid
  • Emerson $26,997
  • Williams $68,966
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Emerson 77%
  • Williams 54%
  • Graduation rate
  • Emerson 81%
  • Williams 95%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Emerson $49,200
  • Williams $73,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • Emerson 80%
  • Williams 83%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Emerson $23,500
  • Williams $14,582
  • Median loan payment
  • Emerson $242
  • Williams $150
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Emerson 14:1
  • Williams 6:1
  • Popular majors
  • Emerson
    • Communication (33%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
    • English and Literature (19%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Health Professions (2%)
  • Williams
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • History (9%)
    • Foreign Languages (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Location
  • Emerson Boston, MA
  • Williams Williamstown, MA
  • Setting
  • Emerson Large City
  • Williams Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Emerson 5,263
  • Williams 2,164
  • Type
  • Emerson Private 4 Year
  • Williams Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Emerson #208
  • Williams #14

Comparable Facts

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

Emerson College is larger than Williams based on total student enrollment (5,263 students vs. 2,164 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Williams College is in Williamstown, MA (Distant Town setting).
  • Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Williams College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; Williams College 6:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Williams College are 17.5% lower than at Emerson College ($17,260 vs. $20,920).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 20.2% higher at Williams than at Emerson College (about $11,504 more per year; $68,560 vs. $57,056).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Emerson College than at Williams College (77% vs. 54%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Williams College students is 155.5% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($68,966 vs. $26,997).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at Williams than at Emerson (34 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Emerson and Williams.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; Williams Jan 10, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Williams average a 3.94 high school GPA, 0.21 higher than at Emerson (3.73).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 43% at Williams.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Williams College graduates have a $8,918 lower median loan debt than Emerson graduates ($14,582 vs. $23,500).
  • Among borrowers, Williams graduates have an estimated $92 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Emerson graduates ($150 vs. $242).
  • More Williams graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emerson 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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