MIT vs. Williams

Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Williams College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Williams College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: MIT (4.5% admitted vs 8.3%). Typical SAT 1550 vs 1530.
  • Cheaper after aid: Williams. Average net price is $15,894 vs $20,996 at MIT.
  • Graduation: MIT 93% vs Williams 95%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: MIT $142,100 vs Williams $73,600 (median).
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Key differences

Massachusetts Institute of Technology Williams College
Acceptance rate
MIT more selective
MIT4.5%
Williams8.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
MIT higher
MIT1520-1580
Williams1490-1570
Average net price
Williams $5,102 less
MIT$20,996
Williams$15,894
In-state tuition
MIT $6,164 less
MIT$62,396
Williams$68,560
Out-of-state tuition
MIT $6,164 less
MIT$62,396
Williams$68,560
Graduation rate
Williams +2 pts
MIT93%
Williams95%
Median earnings (10 years)
MIT +$68,500
MIT$142,100
Williams$73,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • MIT 28,232
  • Williams 15,411
  • Admitted
  • MIT 1,284
  • Williams 1,272
  • Acceptance rate
  • MIT 4.5%
  • Williams 8.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • MIT 85.8%
  • Williams 43%
  • Typical SAT score
  • MIT 1550
  • Williams 1530
  • Typical ACT score
  • MIT 35
  • Williams 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • MIT 3.96
  • Williams 3.94
  • Typical high school grades
  • MIT A
  • Williams A
  • Admissions standards
  • MIT Elite
  • Williams Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • MIT Extreme
  • Williams Extreme
  • SAT range
  • MIT 1520-1580
  • Williams 1490-1570
  • ACT range
  • MIT 34-36
  • Williams 34-35
  • Submit test scores
  • MIT Required
  • Williams Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • MIT Jan 1, 2027
  • Williams Jan 10, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • MIT $62,396
  • Williams $68,560
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • MIT $62,396
  • Williams $68,560
  • Room & board
  • MIT $20,280
  • Williams $17,260
  • Average net price
  • MIT $20,996
  • Williams $15,894
  • Average grant aid
  • MIT $61,734
  • Williams $68,966
  • % receiving grant aid
  • MIT 59%
  • Williams 54%
  • Graduation rate
  • MIT 93%
  • Williams 95%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • MIT $142,100
  • Williams $73,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • MIT 92%
  • Williams 83%
  • Median student loan debt
  • MIT $17,316
  • Williams $14,582
  • Median loan payment
  • MIT $179
  • Williams $150
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • MIT 3:1
  • Williams 6:1
  • Popular majors
  • MIT
    • Engineering (41%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (13%)
    • Physical Sciences (10%)
    • Mathematics (8%)
    • Biology (8%)
  • Williams
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • History (9%)
    • Foreign Languages (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Location
  • MIT Cambridge, MA
  • Williams Williamstown, MA
  • Setting
  • MIT Midsize City
  • Williams Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • MIT 11,886
  • Williams 2,164
  • Type
  • MIT Private 4 Year
  • Williams Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • MIT #8
  • Williams #14

Comparable Facts

Compare Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, MA with Williams College in Williamstown, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology is larger than Williams based on total student enrollment (11,886 students vs. 2,164 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology is located in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting); Williams College is in Williamstown, MA (Distant Town setting).
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Williams College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 3:1; Williams College 6:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Williams College are 14.9% lower than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology ($17,260 vs. $20,280).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 9.9% higher at Williams than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (about $6,164 more per year; $68,560 vs. $62,396).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Massachusetts Institute of Technology than at Williams College (59% vs. 54%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Williams College students is 11.7% larger than aid received by Massachusetts Institute of Technology students ($68,966 vs. $61,734).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at MIT than at Williams (35 vs. 34, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are required at MIT, test optional at Williams.
  • Typical fall application deadline: MIT Jan 1, 2027; Williams Jan 10, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at MIT average a 3.96 high school GPA, 0.02 higher than at Williams (3.94).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 85.8% at MIT vs. 43% at Williams.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Williams College graduates have a $2,734 lower median loan debt than MIT graduates ($14,582 vs. $17,316).
  • Among borrowers, Williams graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MIT graduates ($150 vs. $179).
  • More MIT graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Williams students, three years after graduation (92% 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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