Williams vs. F&M

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

Williams College
Franklin and Marshall College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Williams (8.3% admitted vs 28.2%). Typical SAT 1530 vs 1390.
  • Cheaper after aid: Williams. Average net price is $15,894 vs $43,987 at F&M.
  • Graduation: Williams 95% vs F&M 85%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Williams $73,600 vs F&M $61,900 (median).
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Key differences

Williams College Franklin and Marshall College
Acceptance rate
Williams more selective
Williams8.3%
F&M28.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Williams higher
Williams1490-1570
F&M1310-1463
Average net price
Williams $28,093 less
Williams$15,894
F&M$43,987
In-state tuition
Williams $2,234 less
Williams$68,560
F&M$70,794
Out-of-state tuition
Williams $2,234 less
Williams$68,560
F&M$70,794
Graduation rate
Williams +10 pts
Williams95%
F&M85%
Median earnings (10 years)
Williams +$11,700
Williams$73,600
F&M$61,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Williams 15,411
  • F&M 9,881
  • Admitted
  • Williams 1,272
  • F&M 2,785
  • Acceptance rate
  • Williams 8.3%
  • F&M 28.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Williams 43%
  • F&M 17.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Williams 1530
  • F&M 1390
  • Typical ACT score
  • Williams 34
  • F&M 31
  • Average high school GPA
  • Williams 3.94
  • F&M -
  • Typical high school grades
  • Williams A
  • F&M -
  • Admissions standards
  • Williams Elite
  • F&M Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Williams Extreme
  • F&M High
  • SAT range
  • Williams 1490-1570
  • F&M 1310-1463
  • ACT range
  • Williams 34-35
  • F&M 30-33
  • Submit test scores
  • Williams Test optional
  • F&M Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Williams Jan 10, 2027
  • F&M Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Williams $68,560
  • F&M $70,794
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Williams $68,560
  • F&M $70,794
  • Room & board
  • Williams $17,260
  • F&M $16,188
  • Average net price
  • Williams $15,894
  • F&M $43,987
  • Average grant aid
  • Williams $68,966
  • F&M $41,901
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Williams 54%
  • F&M 80%
  • Graduation rate
  • Williams 95%
  • F&M 85%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Williams $73,600
  • F&M $61,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • Williams 83%
  • F&M 88%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Williams $14,582
  • F&M $22,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Williams $150
  • F&M $227
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Williams 6:1
  • F&M 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Williams
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • History (9%)
    • Foreign Languages (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • F&M
    • Social Sciences (29%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • General Studies (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Location
  • Williams Williamstown, MA
  • F&M Lancaster, PA
  • Setting
  • Williams Distant Town
  • F&M Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Williams 2,164
  • F&M 1,808
  • Type
  • Williams Private 4 Year
  • F&M Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Williams #14
  • F&M #60

Comparable Facts

Compare Williams College in Williamstown, MA with Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Williams College is larger than F&M based on total student enrollment (2,164 students vs. 1,808 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Williams College is located in Williamstown, MA (Distant Town setting); Franklin and Marshall College is in Lancaster, PA (Small City setting).
  • Williams College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Franklin and Marshall College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Williams College 6:1; Franklin and Marshall College 9:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Franklin and Marshall College are 6.2% lower than at Williams College ($16,188 vs. $17,260).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 3.3% higher at F&M than at Williams College (about $2,234 more per year; $70,794 vs. $68,560).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Franklin and Marshall College than at Williams College (80% vs. 54%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Williams College students is 64.6% larger than aid received by Franklin and Marshall College students ($68,966 vs. $41,901).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Williams than at F&M (34 vs. 31, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Williams and F&M.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Williams Jan 10, 2027; F&M Jan 15, 2027.
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43% at Williams vs. 17.1% at F&M.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Williams College graduates have a $7,418 lower median loan debt than F&M graduates ($14,582 vs. $22,000).
  • Among borrowers, Williams graduates have an estimated $77 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than F&M graduates ($150 vs. $227).
  • More F&M graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Williams students, three years after graduation (88% 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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