Williams vs. Oberlin

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

Williams College
Oberlin College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Williams (8.3% admitted vs 34.2%). Typical SAT 1530 vs 1440.
  • Cheaper after aid: Williams. Average net price is $15,894 vs $51,624 at Oberlin.
  • Graduation: Williams 95% vs Oberlin 88%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Williams $73,600 vs Oberlin $43,900 (median).
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Key differences

Williams College Oberlin College
Acceptance rate
Williams more selective
Williams8.3%
Oberlin34.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Williams higher
Williams1490-1570
Oberlin1360-1520
Average net price
Williams $35,730 less
Williams$15,894
Oberlin$51,624
In-state tuition
Oberlin $1,194 less
Williams$68,560
Oberlin$67,366
Out-of-state tuition
Oberlin $1,194 less
Williams$68,560
Oberlin$67,366
Graduation rate
Williams +7 pts
Williams95%
Oberlin88%
Median earnings (10 years)
Williams +$29,700
Williams$73,600
Oberlin$43,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Williams 15,411
  • Oberlin 10,536
  • Admitted
  • Williams 1,272
  • Oberlin 3,601
  • Acceptance rate
  • Williams 8.3%
  • Oberlin 34.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Williams 43%
  • Oberlin 19.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Williams 1530
  • Oberlin 1440
  • Typical ACT score
  • Williams 34
  • Oberlin 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Williams 3.94
  • Oberlin 3.67
  • Typical high school grades
  • Williams A
  • Oberlin A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Williams Elite
  • Oberlin Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Williams Extreme
  • Oberlin High
  • SAT range
  • Williams 1490-1570
  • Oberlin 1360-1520
  • ACT range
  • Williams 34-35
  • Oberlin 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Williams Test optional
  • Oberlin Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Williams Jan 10, 2027
  • Oberlin Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Williams $68,560
  • Oberlin $67,366
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Williams $68,560
  • Oberlin $67,366
  • Room & board
  • Williams $17,260
  • Oberlin $19,510
  • Average net price
  • Williams $15,894
  • Oberlin $51,624
  • Average grant aid
  • Williams $68,966
  • Oberlin $35,780
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Williams 54%
  • Oberlin 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • Williams 95%
  • Oberlin 88%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Williams $73,600
  • Oberlin $43,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • Williams 83%
  • Oberlin 82%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Williams $14,582
  • Oberlin $26,579
  • Median loan payment
  • Williams $150
  • Oberlin $274
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Williams 6:1
  • Oberlin 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Williams
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • History (9%)
    • Foreign Languages (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Oberlin
    • Visual and Performing Arts (26%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • English and Literature (9%)
    • Ethnic Studies (9%)
  • Location
  • Williams Williamstown, MA
  • Oberlin Oberlin, OH
  • Setting
  • Williams Distant Town
  • Oberlin Midsize Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Williams 2,164
  • Oberlin 2,909
  • Type
  • Williams Private 4 Year
  • Oberlin Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Williams #14
  • Oberlin #153

Comparable Facts

Compare Williams College in Williamstown, MA with Oberlin College in Oberlin, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Oberlin College is larger than Williams based on total student enrollment (2,909 students vs. 2,164 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Williams College are 11.5% lower than at Oberlin College ($17,260 vs. $19,510).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 1.8% higher at Williams than at Oberlin College (about $1,194 more per year; $68,560 vs. $67,366).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oberlin College than at Williams College (99% vs. 54%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Williams College students is 92.8% larger than aid received by Oberlin College students ($68,966 vs. $35,780).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Williams than at Oberlin (34 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Williams and Oberlin.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Williams Jan 10, 2027; Oberlin Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Williams average a 3.94 high school GPA, 0.27 higher than at Oberlin (3.67).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43% at Williams vs. 19.5% at Oberlin.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Williams College graduates have a $11,997 lower median loan debt than Oberlin graduates ($14,582 vs. $26,579).
  • Among borrowers, Williams graduates have an estimated $124 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oberlin graduates ($150 vs. $274).
  • More Williams graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oberlin students, three years after graduation (83% vs. 82%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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