Williams vs. Colgate

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

Williams College
Colgate University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Williams (8.3% admitted vs 13.9%). Typical SAT 1530 vs 1490.
  • Cheaper after aid: Williams. Average net price is $15,894 vs $28,736 at Colgate.
  • Graduation: Williams 95% vs Colgate 92%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Williams $73,600 vs Colgate $75,300 (median).
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Key differences

Williams College Colgate University
Acceptance rate
Williams more selective
Williams8.3%
Colgate13.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Williams higher
Williams1490-1570
Colgate1430-1540
Average net price
Williams $12,842 less
Williams$15,894
Colgate$28,736
In-state tuition
Williams $1,746 less
Williams$68,560
Colgate$70,306
Out-of-state tuition
Williams $1,746 less
Williams$68,560
Colgate$70,306
Graduation rate
Williams +3 pts
Williams95%
Colgate92%
Median earnings (10 years)
Colgate +$1,700
Williams$73,600
Colgate$75,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Williams 15,411
  • Colgate 20,682
  • Admitted
  • Williams 1,272
  • Colgate 2,871
  • Acceptance rate
  • Williams 8.3%
  • Colgate 13.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Williams 43%
  • Colgate 28.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Williams 1530
  • Colgate 1490
  • Typical ACT score
  • Williams 34
  • Colgate 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • Williams 3.94
  • Colgate 3.77
  • Typical high school grades
  • Williams A
  • Colgate A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Williams Elite
  • Colgate Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Williams Extreme
  • Colgate Very High
  • SAT range
  • Williams 1490-1570
  • Colgate 1430-1540
  • ACT range
  • Williams 34-35
  • Colgate 33-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Williams Test optional
  • Colgate Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Williams Jan 10, 2027
  • Colgate Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Williams $68,560
  • Colgate $70,306
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Williams $68,560
  • Colgate $70,306
  • Room & board
  • Williams $17,260
  • Colgate $17,610
  • Average net price
  • Williams $15,894
  • Colgate $28,736
  • Average grant aid
  • Williams $68,966
  • Colgate $58,334
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Williams 54%
  • Colgate 43%
  • Graduation rate
  • Williams 95%
  • Colgate 92%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Williams $73,600
  • Colgate $75,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • Williams 83%
  • Colgate 86%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Williams $14,582
  • Colgate $16,125
  • Median loan payment
  • Williams $150
  • Colgate $166
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Williams 6:1
  • Colgate 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Williams
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • History (9%)
    • Foreign Languages (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Colgate
    • Social Sciences (33%)
    • English and Literature (11%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Philosophy and Religious Studies (7%)
  • Location
  • Williams Williamstown, MA
  • Colgate Hamilton, NY
  • Setting
  • Williams Distant Town
  • Colgate Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Williams 2,164
  • Colgate 3,211
  • Type
  • Williams Private 4 Year
  • Colgate Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Williams #14
  • Colgate #30

Comparable Facts

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

Colgate University is larger than Williams based on total student enrollment (3,211 students vs. 2,164 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Williams College is located in Williamstown, MA (Distant Town setting); Colgate University is in Hamilton, NY (Distant Town setting).
  • Williams College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Colgate University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Williams College 6:1; Colgate University 9:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Williams College are 2% lower than at Colgate University ($17,260 vs. $17,610).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 2.5% higher at Colgate than at Williams College (about $1,746 more per year; $70,306 vs. $68,560).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Williams College than at Colgate University (54% vs. 43%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Williams College students is 18.2% larger than aid received by Colgate University students ($68,966 vs. $58,334).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Williams than at Colgate (34 vs. 33, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Williams and Colgate.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Williams Jan 10, 2027; Colgate Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Williams average a 3.94 high school GPA, 0.17 higher than at Colgate (3.77).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43% at Williams vs. 28.7% at Colgate.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Williams College graduates have a $1,543 lower median loan debt than Colgate graduates ($14,582 vs. $16,125).
  • Among borrowers, Williams graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colgate graduates ($150 vs. $166).
  • More Colgate 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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