Williams vs. Brown

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

Williams College
Brown University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Brown (5.4% admitted vs 8.3%). Typical SAT 1550 vs 1530.
  • Cheaper after aid: Williams. Average net price is $15,894 vs $26,256 at Brown.
  • Graduation: Williams 95% vs Brown 95%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Williams $73,600 vs Brown $87,600 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Williams College Brown University
Acceptance rate
Brown more selective
Williams8.3%
Brown5.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Brown higher
Williams1490-1570
Brown1510-1580
Average net price
Williams $10,362 less
Williams$15,894
Brown$26,256
In-state tuition
Williams $2,852 less
Williams$68,560
Brown$71,412
Out-of-state tuition
Williams $2,852 less
Williams$68,560
Brown$71,412
Graduation rate
Williams +0 pts
Williams95%
Brown95%
Median earnings (10 years)
Brown +$14,000
Williams$73,600
Brown$87,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at Williams and Brown with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at Williams Check my chances at Brown
  • Applied
  • Williams 15,411
  • Brown 48,904
  • Admitted
  • Williams 1,272
  • Brown 2,638
  • Acceptance rate
  • Williams 8.3%
  • Brown 5.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Williams 43%
  • Brown 65.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Williams 1530
  • Brown 1550
  • Typical ACT score
  • Williams 34
  • Brown 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Williams 3.94
  • Brown 3.94
  • Typical high school grades
  • Williams A
  • Brown A
  • Admissions standards
  • Williams Elite
  • Brown Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Williams Extreme
  • Brown Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Williams 1490-1570
  • Brown 1510-1580
  • ACT range
  • Williams 34-35
  • Brown 34-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Williams Test optional
  • Brown Required
  • Application deadline
  • Williams Jan 10, 2027
  • Brown Jan 5, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Williams $68,560
  • Brown $71,412
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Williams $68,560
  • Brown $71,412
  • Room & board
  • Williams $17,260
  • Brown $17,444
  • Average net price
  • Williams $15,894
  • Brown $26,256
  • Average grant aid
  • Williams $68,966
  • Brown $61,392
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Williams 54%
  • Brown 52%
  • Graduation rate
  • Williams 95%
  • Brown 95%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Williams $73,600
  • Brown $87,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • Williams 83%
  • Brown 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Williams $14,582
  • Brown $15,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Williams $150
  • Brown $155
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Williams 6:1
  • Brown 6:1
  • Popular majors
  • Williams
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • History (9%)
    • Foreign Languages (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Brown
    • Social Sciences (28%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
    • General Studies (6%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Location
  • Williams Williamstown, MA
  • Brown Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • Williams Distant Town
  • Brown Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Williams 2,164
  • Brown 11,956
  • Type
  • Williams Private 4 Year
  • Brown Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Williams #14
  • Brown #11

Comparable Facts

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

Brown University is larger than Williams based on total student enrollment (11,956 students vs. 2,164 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Williams College are 1.1% lower than at Brown University ($17,260 vs. $17,444).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 4.2% higher at Brown than at Williams College (about $2,852 more per year; $71,412 vs. $68,560).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Williams College than at Brown University (54% vs. 52%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Williams College students is 12.3% larger than aid received by Brown University students ($68,966 vs. $61,392).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Williams students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 34) as students at Brown (34).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at Williams, required at Brown.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Williams Jan 10, 2027; Brown Jan 5, 2027.
  • Enrolled freshman Williams students have the same average high school GPA (3.94) as students at Brown (3.94).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43% at Williams vs. 65.2% at Brown.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Williams College graduates have a $418 lower median loan debt than Brown graduates ($14,582 vs. $15,000).
  • Among borrowers, Williams graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Brown graduates ($150 vs. $155).
  • More Brown graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Williams students, three years after graduation (89% vs. 83%).

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

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Williams College
Brown University
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges