Harvard vs. Williams

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

Harvard University
Williams College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Harvard (3.6% admitted vs 8.3%). Typical SAT 1550 vs 1530.
  • Cheaper after aid: Williams. Average net price is $15,894 vs $17,525 at Harvard.
  • Graduation: Harvard 97% vs Williams 95%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Harvard $136,700 vs Williams $73,600 (median).
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Key differences

Harvard University Williams College
Acceptance rate
Harvard more selective
Harvard3.6%
Williams8.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Harvard higher
Harvard1510-1580
Williams1490-1570
Average net price
Williams $1,631 less
Harvard$17,525
Williams$15,894
In-state tuition
Harvard $6,884 less
Harvard$61,676
Williams$68,560
Out-of-state tuition
Harvard $6,884 less
Harvard$61,676
Williams$68,560
Graduation rate
Harvard +2 pts
Harvard97%
Williams95%
Median earnings (10 years)
Harvard +$63,100
Harvard$136,700
Williams$73,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Harvard 54,008
  • Williams 15,411
  • Admitted
  • Harvard 1,970
  • Williams 1,272
  • Acceptance rate
  • Harvard 3.6%
  • Williams 8.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Harvard 83.6%
  • Williams 43%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Harvard 1550
  • Williams 1530
  • Typical ACT score
  • Harvard 35
  • Williams 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Harvard 4.0
  • Williams 3.94
  • Typical high school grades
  • Harvard A/A+
  • Williams A
  • Admissions standards
  • Harvard Elite
  • Williams Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Harvard Extreme
  • Williams Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Harvard 1510-1580
  • Williams 1490-1570
  • ACT range
  • Harvard 34-36
  • Williams 34-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Harvard Required
  • Williams Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Harvard Jan 1, 2027
  • Williams Jan 10, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Harvard $61,676
  • Williams $68,560
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Harvard $61,676
  • Williams $68,560
  • Room & board
  • Harvard $21,190
  • Williams $17,260
  • Average net price
  • Harvard $17,525
  • Williams $15,894
  • Average grant aid
  • Harvard $68,015
  • Williams $68,966
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Harvard 56%
  • Williams 54%
  • Graduation rate
  • Harvard 97%
  • Williams 95%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Harvard $136,700
  • Williams $73,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • Harvard 70%
  • Williams 83%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Harvard $6,500
  • Williams $14,582
  • Median loan payment
  • Harvard $67
  • Williams $150
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Harvard 7:1
  • Williams 6:1
  • Popular majors
  • Harvard
    • Social Sciences (32%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
    • History (9%)
    • Mathematics (6%)
  • Williams
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • History (9%)
    • Foreign Languages (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Location
  • Harvard Cambridge, MA
  • Williams Williamstown, MA
  • Setting
  • Harvard Midsize City
  • Williams Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Harvard 30,259
  • Williams 2,164
  • Type
  • Harvard Private 4 Year
  • Williams Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Harvard #4
  • Williams #14

Comparable Facts

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

Harvard University is larger than Williams based on total student enrollment (30,259 students vs. 2,164 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Harvard University is located in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting); Williams College is in Williamstown, MA (Distant Town setting).
  • Harvard University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Williams College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Harvard University 7:1; Williams College 6:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Williams College are 18.5% lower than at Harvard University ($17,260 vs. $21,190).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 11.2% higher at Williams than at Harvard University (about $6,884 more per year; $68,560 vs. $61,676).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Harvard University than at Williams College (56% vs. 54%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Williams College students is 1.4% larger than aid received by Harvard University students ($68,966 vs. $68,015).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Harvard than at Williams (35 vs. 34, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are required at Harvard, test optional at Williams.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Harvard Jan 1, 2027; Williams Jan 10, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Harvard average a 4.0 high school GPA, 0.06 higher than at Williams (3.94).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 83.6% at Harvard vs. 43% at Williams.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Harvard University graduates have a $8,082 lower median loan debt than Williams graduates ($6,500 vs. $14,582).
  • Among borrowers, Harvard graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Williams graduates ($67 vs. $150).
  • More Williams graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Harvard students, three years after graduation (83% vs. 70%).

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

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