Williams vs. RPI

Williams College and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Williams College
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Williams (8.3% admitted vs 63.5%). Typical SAT 1530 vs 1440.
  • Cheaper after aid: Williams. Average net price is $15,894 vs $38,887 at RPI.
  • Graduation: Williams 95% vs RPI 84%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Williams $73,600 vs RPI $82,500 (median).
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Key differences

Williams College Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Acceptance rate
Williams more selective
Williams8.3%
RPI63.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Williams higher
Williams1490-1570
RPI1375-1510
Average net price
Williams $22,993 less
Williams$15,894
RPI$38,887
In-state tuition
RPI $4,479 less
Williams$68,560
RPI$64,081
Out-of-state tuition
RPI $4,479 less
Williams$68,560
RPI$64,081
Graduation rate
Williams +11 pts
Williams95%
RPI84%
Median earnings (10 years)
RPI +$8,900
Williams$73,600
RPI$82,500

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Williams 15,411
  • RPI 17,175
  • Admitted
  • Williams 1,272
  • RPI 10,901
  • Acceptance rate
  • Williams 8.3%
  • RPI 63.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Williams 43%
  • RPI 12.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Williams 1530
  • RPI 1440
  • Typical ACT score
  • Williams 34
  • RPI 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Williams 3.94
  • RPI 3.88
  • Typical high school grades
  • Williams A
  • RPI A
  • Admissions standards
  • Williams Elite
  • RPI Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Williams Extreme
  • RPI Low
  • SAT range
  • Williams 1490-1570
  • RPI 1375-1510
  • ACT range
  • Williams 34-35
  • RPI 30-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Williams Test optional
  • RPI Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Williams Jan 10, 2027
  • RPI Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Williams $68,560
  • RPI $64,081
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Williams $68,560
  • RPI $64,081
  • Room & board
  • Williams $17,260
  • RPI $18,120
  • Average net price
  • Williams $15,894
  • RPI $38,887
  • Average grant aid
  • Williams $68,966
  • RPI $43,517
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Williams 54%
  • RPI 95%
  • Graduation rate
  • Williams 95%
  • RPI 84%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Williams $73,600
  • RPI $82,500
  • Making student loan payments
  • Williams 83%
  • RPI 92%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Williams $14,582
  • RPI $27,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Williams $150
  • RPI $284
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Williams 6:1
  • RPI 14:1
  • Popular majors
  • Williams
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • History (9%)
    • Foreign Languages (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • RPI
    • Engineering (53%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (9%)
    • Business (8%)
    • Engineering Technology (5%)
    • Architecture (5%)
  • Location
  • Williams Williamstown, MA
  • RPI Troy, NY
  • Setting
  • Williams Distant Town
  • RPI Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Williams 2,164
  • RPI 7,040
  • Type
  • Williams Private 4 Year
  • RPI Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Williams #14
  • RPI #130

Comparable Facts

Compare Williams College in Williamstown, MA with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is larger than Williams based on total student enrollment (7,040 students vs. 2,164 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Williams College is located in Williamstown, MA (Distant Town setting); Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is in Troy, NY (Small City setting).
  • Williams College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Williams College 6:1; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 14:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Williams College are 4.7% lower than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ($17,260 vs. $18,120).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 7% higher at Williams than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (about $4,479 more per year; $68,560 vs. $64,081).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute than at Williams College (95% vs. 54%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Williams College students is 58.5% larger than aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students ($68,966 vs. $43,517).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Williams than at RPI (34 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Williams and RPI.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Williams Jan 10, 2027; RPI Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Williams average a 3.94 high school GPA, 0.06 higher than at RPI (3.88).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43% at Williams vs. 12.1% at RPI.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Williams College graduates have a $12,918 lower median loan debt than RPI graduates ($14,582 vs. $27,500).
  • Among borrowers, Williams graduates have an estimated $134 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RPI graduates ($150 vs. $284).
  • More RPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Williams students, three years after graduation (92% 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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