Williams vs. Cornell

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

Williams College
Cornell University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Williams (8.3% admitted vs 8.8%). Typical SAT 1530 vs 1540.
  • Cheaper after aid: Williams. Average net price is $15,894 vs $26,361 at Cornell.
  • Graduation: Williams 95% vs Cornell 93%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Williams $73,600 vs Cornell $98,400 (median).
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Key differences

Williams College Cornell University
Acceptance rate
Williams more selective
Williams8.3%
Cornell8.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Cornell higher
Williams1490-1570
Cornell1500-1570
Average net price
Williams $10,467 less
Williams$15,894
Cornell$26,361
In-state tuition
Williams $754 less
Williams$68,560
Cornell$69,314
Out-of-state tuition
Williams $754 less
Williams$68,560
Cornell$69,314
Graduation rate
Williams +2 pts
Williams95%
Cornell93%
Median earnings (10 years)
Cornell +$24,800
Williams$73,600
Cornell$98,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Williams 15,411
  • Cornell 62,993
  • Admitted
  • Williams 1,272
  • Cornell 5,516
  • Acceptance rate
  • Williams 8.3%
  • Cornell 8.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Williams 43%
  • Cornell 63.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Williams 1530
  • Cornell 1540
  • Typical ACT score
  • Williams 34
  • Cornell 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Williams 3.94
  • Cornell 3.9
  • Typical high school grades
  • Williams A
  • Cornell A
  • Admissions standards
  • Williams Elite
  • Cornell Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Williams Extreme
  • Cornell Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Williams 1490-1570
  • Cornell 1500-1570
  • ACT range
  • Williams 34-35
  • Cornell 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Williams Test optional
  • Cornell Required
  • Application deadline
  • Williams Jan 10, 2027
  • Cornell Jan 2, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Williams $68,560
  • Cornell $69,314
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Williams $68,560
  • Cornell $69,314
  • Room & board
  • Williams $17,260
  • Cornell $19,428
  • Average net price
  • Williams $15,894
  • Cornell $26,361
  • Average grant aid
  • Williams $68,966
  • Cornell $61,779
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Williams 54%
  • Cornell 48%
  • Graduation rate
  • Williams 95%
  • Cornell 93%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Williams $73,600
  • Cornell $98,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • Williams 83%
  • Cornell 87%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Williams $14,582
  • Cornell $12,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Williams $150
  • Cornell $124
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Williams 6:1
  • Cornell 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Williams
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • History (9%)
    • Foreign Languages (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Cornell
    • Engineering (17%)
    • Agriculture (13%)
    • Business (13%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Location
  • Williams Williamstown, MA
  • Cornell Ithaca, NY
  • Setting
  • Williams Distant Town
  • Cornell Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Williams 2,164
  • Cornell 26,793
  • Type
  • Williams Private 4 Year
  • Cornell Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Williams #14
  • Cornell #19

Comparable Facts

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

Cornell University is larger than Williams based on total student enrollment (26,793 students vs. 2,164 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Williams College are 11.2% lower than at Cornell University ($17,260 vs. $19,428).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 1.1% higher at Cornell than at Williams College (about $754 more per year; $69,314 vs. $68,560).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Williams College than at Cornell University (54% vs. 48%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Williams College students is 11.6% larger than aid received by Cornell University students ($68,966 vs. $61,779).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Williams students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 34) as students at Cornell (34).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at Williams, required at Cornell.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Williams Jan 10, 2027; Cornell Jan 2, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Williams average a 3.94 high school GPA, 0.04 higher than at Cornell (3.9).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43% at Williams vs. 63.9% at Cornell.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Cornell University graduates have a $2,582 lower median loan debt than Williams graduates ($12,000 vs. $14,582).
  • Among borrowers, Cornell graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Williams graduates ($124 vs. $150).
  • More Cornell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Williams students, three years after graduation (87% 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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