Williams vs. Clarkson

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

Williams College
Clarkson University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Williams (8.3% admitted vs 77.4%). Typical SAT 1530 vs 1300.
  • Cheaper after aid: Williams. Average net price is $15,894 vs $32,406 at Clarkson.
  • Graduation: Williams 95% vs Clarkson 72%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Williams $73,600 vs Clarkson $70,800 (median).
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Key differences

Williams College Clarkson University
Acceptance rate
Williams more selective
Williams8.3%
Clarkson77.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Williams higher
Williams1490-1570
Clarkson1200-1390
Average net price
Williams $16,512 less
Williams$15,894
Clarkson$32,406
In-state tuition
Clarkson $9,162 less
Williams$68,560
Clarkson$59,398
Out-of-state tuition
Clarkson $9,162 less
Williams$68,560
Clarkson$59,398
Graduation rate
Williams +23 pts
Williams95%
Clarkson72%
Median earnings (10 years)
Williams +$2,800
Williams$73,600
Clarkson$70,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Williams 15,411
  • Clarkson 6,661
  • Admitted
  • Williams 1,272
  • Clarkson 5,153
  • Acceptance rate
  • Williams 8.3%
  • Clarkson 77.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Williams 43%
  • Clarkson 9.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Williams 1530
  • Clarkson 1300
  • Typical ACT score
  • Williams 34
  • Clarkson 28
  • Average high school GPA
  • Williams 3.94
  • Clarkson 3.8
  • Typical high school grades
  • Williams A
  • Clarkson A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Williams Elite
  • Clarkson Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Williams Extreme
  • Clarkson
  • SAT range
  • Williams 1490-1570
  • Clarkson 1200-1390
  • ACT range
  • Williams 34-35
  • Clarkson 25-32
  • Submit test scores
  • Williams Test optional
  • Clarkson Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Williams Jan 10, 2027
  • Clarkson Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Williams $68,560
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Williams $68,560
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Room & board
  • Williams $17,260
  • Clarkson $18,252
  • Average net price
  • Williams $15,894
  • Clarkson $32,406
  • Average grant aid
  • Williams $68,966
  • Clarkson $46,528
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Williams 54%
  • Clarkson 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Williams 95%
  • Clarkson 72%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Williams $73,600
  • Clarkson $70,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • Williams 83%
  • Clarkson 86%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Williams $14,582
  • Clarkson $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Williams $150
  • Clarkson $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Williams 6:1
  • Clarkson 13:1
  • Popular majors
  • Williams
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • History (9%)
    • Foreign Languages (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Clarkson
    • Engineering (48%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Engineering Technology (9%)
    • Communication (3%)
  • Location
  • Williams Williamstown, MA
  • Clarkson Potsdam, NY
  • Setting
  • Williams Distant Town
  • Clarkson Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Williams 2,164
  • Clarkson 3,348
  • Type
  • Williams Private 4 Year
  • Clarkson Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Williams #14
  • Clarkson #189

Comparable Facts

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

Clarkson University is larger than Williams based on total student enrollment (3,348 students vs. 2,164 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Williams College is located in Williamstown, MA (Distant Town setting); Clarkson University is in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting).
  • Williams College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Clarkson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Williams College 6:1; Clarkson University 13:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Williams College are 5.4% lower than at Clarkson University ($17,260 vs. $18,252).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 15.4% higher at Williams than at Clarkson University (about $9,162 more per year; $68,560 vs. $59,398).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University than at Williams College (100% vs. 54%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Williams College students is 48.2% larger than aid received by Clarkson University students ($68,966 vs. $46,528).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 6 points higher at Williams than at Clarkson (34 vs. 28, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Williams and Clarkson.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Williams Jan 10, 2027; Clarkson Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Williams average a 3.94 high school GPA, 0.14 higher than at Clarkson (3.8).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43% at Williams vs. 9.5% at Clarkson.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Williams College graduates have a $12,418 lower median loan debt than Clarkson graduates ($14,582 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Williams graduates have an estimated $129 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clarkson graduates ($150 vs. $279).
  • More Clarkson 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, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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