UChicago vs. Williams

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Chicago in Chicago, IL with Williams College in Williamstown, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Chicago is larger than Williams based on total student enrollment (18,566 students vs. 2,164 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Williams College is in Williamstown, MA (Distant Town setting).
• University of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Williams College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Chicago 5:1; Williams College 6:1.

UChicago vs. Williams Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UChicago or Williams? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Williams College than UChicago ($15,894 vs. $28,060).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Williams College are 14.2% lower than at University of Chicago ($17,260 vs. $20,109).
• University of Chicago is 3.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Williams (about $2,102 more per year; $70,662.00 vs. $68,560.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.1% higher at UChicago than at Williams College (about $2,102 more per year; $70,662.00 vs. $68,560.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Williams College than at University of Chicago (54% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Williams College students is 10.7% larger than aid received by University of Chicago students ($68,966 vs. $62,300).

UChicago vs. Williams Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UChicago or Williams? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Williams and UChicago.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Chicago (1550) is 20 points higher than at Williams (1530).
• Incoming UChicago students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Williams (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Chicago 1510/1580; Williams College 1490/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Chicago 34/35; Williams College 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UChicago - Test optional; Williams - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Williams Jan 10, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UChicago students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Williams (3.94).
• Williams has a higher acceptance rate (8.3%) than UChicago (4.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 88.3% at UChicago vs. 43% at Williams.

UChicago vs. Williams Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UChicago and Williams? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Williams College's six-year graduation rate (95%) is higher than University of Chicago's (92%).
• Graduates from University of Chicago earn a median of about $24,900 more per year than Williams graduates about ten years after starting college ($98,500 vs. $73,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Chicago graduates have a $82 lower median loan debt than Williams graduates ($14,500 vs. $14,582).
• Among borrowers, UChicago graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Williams graduates ($149 vs. $150).
• More UChicago graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Williams students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 83%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.