Northeastern vs. Williams

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

Northeastern University
Williams College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Northeastern (5.2% admitted vs 8.3%). Typical SAT 1490 vs 1530.
  • Cheaper after aid: Williams. Average net price is $15,894 vs $34,207 at Northeastern.
  • Graduation: Northeastern 77% vs Williams 95%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Northeastern $69,500 vs Williams $73,600 (median).
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Key differences

Northeastern University Williams College
Acceptance rate
Northeastern more selective
Northeastern5.2%
Williams8.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Williams higher
Northeastern1440-1540
Williams1490-1570
Average net price
Williams $18,313 less
Northeastern$34,207
Williams$15,894
In-state tuition
Northeastern $2,398 less
Northeastern$66,162
Williams$68,560
Out-of-state tuition
Northeastern $2,398 less
Northeastern$66,162
Williams$68,560
Graduation rate
Williams +18 pts
Northeastern77%
Williams95%
Median earnings (10 years)
Williams +$4,100
Northeastern$69,500
Williams$73,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Northeastern 98,425
  • Williams 15,411
  • Admitted
  • Northeastern 5,133
  • Williams 1,272
  • Acceptance rate
  • Northeastern 5.2%
  • Williams 8.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Northeastern 53.8%
  • Williams 43%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Northeastern 1490
  • Williams 1530
  • Typical ACT score
  • Northeastern 34
  • Williams 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Northeastern 3.91
  • Williams 3.94
  • Typical high school grades
  • Northeastern A
  • Williams A
  • Admissions standards
  • Northeastern Elite
  • Williams Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Northeastern Extreme
  • Williams Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Northeastern 1440-1540
  • Williams 1490-1570
  • ACT range
  • Northeastern 33-35
  • Williams 34-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Northeastern Test optional
  • Williams Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Northeastern Jan 1, 2027
  • Williams Jan 10, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Northeastern $66,162
  • Williams $68,560
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Northeastern $66,162
  • Williams $68,560
  • Room & board
  • Northeastern $19,580
  • Williams $17,260
  • Average net price
  • Northeastern $34,207
  • Williams $15,894
  • Average grant aid
  • Northeastern $50,421
  • Williams $68,966
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Northeastern 66%
  • Williams 54%
  • Graduation rate
  • Northeastern 77%
  • Williams 95%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Northeastern $69,500
  • Williams $73,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • Northeastern 79%
  • Williams 83%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Northeastern $27,875
  • Williams $14,582
  • Median loan payment
  • Northeastern $288
  • Williams $150
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Northeastern 16:1
  • Williams 6:1
  • Popular majors
  • Northeastern
    • Business (25%)
    • Engineering (11%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Communication (6%)
  • Williams
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • History (9%)
    • Foreign Languages (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Location
  • Northeastern Boston, MA
  • Williams Williamstown, MA
  • Setting
  • Northeastern Large City
  • Williams Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Northeastern 32,553
  • Williams 2,164
  • Type
  • Northeastern Private 4 Year
  • Williams Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Northeastern #128
  • Williams #14

Comparable Facts

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

Northeastern University is larger than Williams based on total student enrollment (32,553 students vs. 2,164 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Northeastern University is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Williams College is in Williamstown, MA (Distant Town setting).
  • Northeastern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Williams College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Northeastern University 16:1; Williams College 6:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Williams College are 11.8% lower than at Northeastern University ($17,260 vs. $19,580).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 3.6% higher at Williams than at Northeastern University (about $2,398 more per year; $68,560 vs. $66,162).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northeastern University than at Williams College (66% vs. 54%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Williams College students is 36.8% larger than aid received by Northeastern University students ($68,966 vs. $50,421).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Northeastern students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 34) as students at Williams (34).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Northeastern and Williams.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Northeastern Jan 1, 2027; Williams Jan 10, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Williams average a 3.94 high school GPA, 0.03 higher than at Northeastern (3.91).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Northeastern vs. 43% at Williams.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Williams College graduates have a $13,293 lower median loan debt than Northeastern graduates ($14,582 vs. $27,875).
  • Among borrowers, Williams graduates have an estimated $138 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northeastern graduates ($150 vs. $288).
  • More Williams graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northeastern students, three years after graduation (83% vs. 79%).

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

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