Williams vs. Carleton College

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

Williams College
Carleton College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Williams (8.3% admitted vs 20.4%). Typical SAT 1530 vs 1510.
  • Cheaper after aid: Williams. Average net price is $15,894 vs $28,047 at Carleton College.
  • Graduation: Williams 95% vs Carleton College 93%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Williams $73,600 vs Carleton College $65,600 (median).
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Key differences

Williams College Carleton College
Acceptance rate
Williams more selective
Williams8.3%
Carleton College20.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Williams higher
Williams1490-1570
Carleton College1450-1560
Average net price
Williams $12,153 less
Williams$15,894
Carleton College$28,047
In-state tuition
Williams $332 less
Williams$68,560
Carleton College$68,892
Out-of-state tuition
Williams $332 less
Williams$68,560
Carleton College$68,892
Graduation rate
Williams +2 pts
Williams95%
Carleton College93%
Median earnings (10 years)
Williams +$8,000
Williams$73,600
Carleton College$65,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Williams 15,411
  • Carleton College 7,133
  • Admitted
  • Williams 1,272
  • Carleton College 1,456
  • Acceptance rate
  • Williams 8.3%
  • Carleton College 20.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Williams 43%
  • Carleton College 34.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Williams 1530
  • Carleton College 1510
  • Typical ACT score
  • Williams 34
  • Carleton College 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • Williams 3.94
  • Carleton College 3.9
  • Typical high school grades
  • Williams A
  • Carleton College A
  • Admissions standards
  • Williams Elite
  • Carleton College Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Williams Extreme
  • Carleton College Very High
  • SAT range
  • Williams 1490-1570
  • Carleton College 1450-1560
  • ACT range
  • Williams 34-35
  • Carleton College 32-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Williams Test optional
  • Carleton College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Williams Jan 10, 2027
  • Carleton College Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Williams $68,560
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Williams $68,560
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Room & board
  • Williams $17,260
  • Carleton College $17,586
  • Average net price
  • Williams $15,894
  • Carleton College $28,047
  • Average grant aid
  • Williams $68,966
  • Carleton College $56,846
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Williams 54%
  • Carleton College 59%
  • Graduation rate
  • Williams 95%
  • Carleton College 93%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Williams $73,600
  • Carleton College $65,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • Williams 83%
  • Carleton College 92%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Williams $14,582
  • Carleton College $19,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Williams $150
  • Carleton College $201
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Williams 6:1
  • Carleton College 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Williams
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • History (9%)
    • Foreign Languages (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Carleton College
    • Social Sciences (23%)
    • Physical Sciences (14%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
  • Location
  • Williams Williamstown, MA
  • Carleton College Northfield, MN
  • Setting
  • Williams Distant Town
  • Carleton College Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Williams 2,164
  • Carleton College 2,128
  • Type
  • Williams Private 4 Year
  • Carleton College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Williams #14
  • Carleton College #44

Comparable Facts

Compare Williams College in Williamstown, MA with Carleton College in Northfield, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Williams College is larger than Carleton College based on total student enrollment (2,164 students vs. 2,128 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Williams College is located in Williamstown, MA (Distant Town setting); Carleton College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
  • Williams College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Williams College 6:1; Carleton College 8:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Williams College are 1.9% lower than at Carleton College ($17,260 vs. $17,586).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 0.5% higher at Carleton College than at Williams College (about $332 more per year; $68,892 vs. $68,560).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carleton College than at Williams College (59% vs. 54%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Williams College students is 21.3% larger than aid received by Carleton College students ($68,966 vs. $56,846).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Williams than at Carleton College (34 vs. 33, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Williams and Carleton College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Williams Jan 10, 2027; Carleton College Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Williams average a 3.94 high school GPA, 0.04 higher than at Carleton College (3.9).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43% at Williams vs. 34.8% at Carleton College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Williams College graduates have a $4,918 lower median loan debt than Carleton College graduates ($14,582 vs. $19,500).
  • Among borrowers, Williams graduates have an estimated $51 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carleton College graduates ($150 vs. $201).
  • More Carleton College 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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