Williams vs. Swarthmore

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

Williams College
Swarthmore College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Swarthmore (7.5% admitted vs 8.3%). Typical SAT 1530 vs 1530.
  • Cheaper after aid: Williams. Average net price is $15,894 vs $22,469 at Swarthmore.
  • Graduation: Williams 95% vs Swarthmore 95%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Williams $73,600 vs Swarthmore $65,800 (median).
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Key differences

Williams College Swarthmore College
Acceptance rate
Swarthmore more selective
Williams8.3%
Swarthmore7.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Williams higher
Williams1490-1570
Swarthmore1490-1560
Average net price
Williams $6,575 less
Williams$15,894
Swarthmore$22,469
In-state tuition
Swarthmore $3,066 less
Williams$68,560
Swarthmore$65,494
Out-of-state tuition
Swarthmore $3,066 less
Williams$68,560
Swarthmore$65,494
Graduation rate
Williams +0 pts
Williams95%
Swarthmore95%
Median earnings (10 years)
Williams +$7,800
Williams$73,600
Swarthmore$65,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Williams 15,411
  • Swarthmore 13,065
  • Admitted
  • Williams 1,272
  • Swarthmore 975
  • Acceptance rate
  • Williams 8.3%
  • Swarthmore 7.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Williams 43%
  • Swarthmore 43.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Williams 1530
  • Swarthmore 1530
  • Typical ACT score
  • Williams 34
  • Swarthmore 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Williams 3.94
  • Swarthmore 3.9
  • Typical high school grades
  • Williams A
  • Swarthmore A
  • Admissions standards
  • Williams Elite
  • Swarthmore Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Williams Extreme
  • Swarthmore Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Williams 1490-1570
  • Swarthmore 1490-1560
  • ACT range
  • Williams 34-35
  • Swarthmore 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Williams Test optional
  • Swarthmore Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Williams Jan 10, 2027
  • Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Williams $68,560
  • Swarthmore $65,494
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Williams $68,560
  • Swarthmore $65,494
  • Room & board
  • Williams $17,260
  • Swarthmore $20,308
  • Average net price
  • Williams $15,894
  • Swarthmore $22,469
  • Average grant aid
  • Williams $68,966
  • Swarthmore $61,634
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Williams 54%
  • Swarthmore 57%
  • Graduation rate
  • Williams 95%
  • Swarthmore 95%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Williams $73,600
  • Swarthmore $65,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • Williams 83%
  • Swarthmore 87%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Williams $14,582
  • Swarthmore $19,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Williams $150
  • Swarthmore $201
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Williams 6:1
  • Swarthmore 7:1
  • Popular majors
  • Williams
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • History (9%)
    • Foreign Languages (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Swarthmore
    • Social Sciences (29%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • Foreign Languages (8%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
  • Location
  • Williams Williamstown, MA
  • Swarthmore Swarthmore, PA
  • Setting
  • Williams Distant Town
  • Swarthmore Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Williams 2,164
  • Swarthmore 1,623
  • Type
  • Williams Private 4 Year
  • Swarthmore Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Williams #14
  • Swarthmore #40

Comparable Facts

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

Williams College is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (2,164 students vs. 1,623 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Williams College is located in Williamstown, MA (Distant Town setting); Swarthmore College is in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Williams College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Williams College 6:1; Swarthmore College 7:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Williams College are 15% lower than at Swarthmore College ($17,260 vs. $20,308).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 4.7% higher at Williams than at Swarthmore College (about $3,066 more per year; $68,560 vs. $65,494).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Swarthmore College than at Williams College (57% vs. 54%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Williams College students is 11.9% larger than aid received by Swarthmore College students ($68,966 vs. $61,634).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Williams students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 34) as students at Swarthmore (34).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Williams and Swarthmore.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Williams Jan 10, 2027; Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Williams average a 3.94 high school GPA, 0.04 higher than at Swarthmore (3.9).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43% at Williams vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Williams College graduates have a $4,918 lower median loan debt than Swarthmore graduates ($14,582 vs. $19,500).
  • Among borrowers, Williams graduates have an estimated $51 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Swarthmore graduates ($150 vs. $201).
  • More Swarthmore 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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