Williams vs. Dickinson College

Comparable Facts

Compare Williams College in Williamstown, MA with Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Dickinson College is larger than Williams based on total student enrollment (2,314 students vs. 2,164 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Williams College is located in Williamstown, MA (Distant Town setting); Dickinson College is in Carlisle, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Williams College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Dickinson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Williams College 6:1; Dickinson College 11:1.

Williams vs. Dickinson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Williams or Dickinson College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Williams College than Dickinson College ($15,894 vs. $38,483).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dickinson College are 0.9% lower than at Williams College ($17,100 vs. $17,260).
• Williams College is 4.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Dickinson College (about $2,910 more per year; $68,560.00 vs. $65,650.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.4% higher at Williams than at Dickinson College (about $2,910 more per year; $68,560.00 vs. $65,650.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dickinson College than at Williams College (96% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Williams College students is 55.1% larger than aid received by Dickinson College students ($68,966 vs. $44,479).

Williams vs. Dickinson College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Williams or Dickinson College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Dickinson College and Williams.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Williams College (1530) is 140 points higher than at Dickinson College (1390).
• Incoming Williams students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 31 at Dickinson College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Williams College 1490/1570; Dickinson College 1310/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Williams College 34/35; Dickinson College 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Williams - Test optional; Dickinson College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Williams Jan 10, 2027; Dickinson College Jan 15, 2027.
• Dickinson College has a higher acceptance rate (42.1%) than Williams (8.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43% at Williams vs. 21.1% at Dickinson College.

Williams vs. Dickinson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Williams and Dickinson College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Williams College's six-year graduation rate (95%) is higher than Dickinson College's (84%).
• Graduates from Williams College earn a median of about $11,600 more per year than Dickinson College graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,600 vs. $62,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Williams College graduates have a $6,418 lower median loan debt than Dickinson College graduates ($14,582 vs. $21,000).
• Among borrowers, Williams graduates have an estimated $67 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Dickinson College graduates ($150 vs. $217).
• More Dickinson College 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 https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.