Williams vs. Washington and Lee

Williams College and Washington and Lee University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Williams College
Washington and Lee University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Williams (8.3% admitted vs 14%). Typical SAT 1530 vs 1490.
  • Cheaper after aid: Williams. Average net price is $15,894 vs $23,055 at Washington and Lee.
  • Graduation: Williams 95% vs Washington and Lee 91%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Williams $73,600 vs Washington and Lee $89,000 (median).
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Key differences

Williams College Washington and Lee University
Acceptance rate
Williams more selective
Williams8.3%
Washington and Lee14%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Williams higher
Williams1490-1570
Washington and Lee1430-1540
Average net price
Williams $7,161 less
Williams$15,894
Washington and Lee$23,055
In-state tuition
Washington and Lee $515 less
Williams$68,560
Washington and Lee$68,045
Out-of-state tuition
Washington and Lee $515 less
Williams$68,560
Washington and Lee$68,045
Graduation rate
Williams +4 pts
Williams95%
Washington and Lee91%
Median earnings (10 years)
Washington and Lee +$15,400
Williams$73,600
Washington and Lee$89,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Williams 15,411
  • Washington and Lee 8,213
  • Admitted
  • Williams 1,272
  • Washington and Lee 1,147
  • Acceptance rate
  • Williams 8.3%
  • Washington and Lee 14%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Williams 43%
  • Washington and Lee 41.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Williams 1530
  • Washington and Lee 1490
  • Typical ACT score
  • Williams 34
  • Washington and Lee 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • Williams 3.94
  • Washington and Lee 3.87
  • Typical high school grades
  • Williams A
  • Washington and Lee A
  • Admissions standards
  • Williams Elite
  • Washington and Lee Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Williams Extreme
  • Washington and Lee Very High
  • SAT range
  • Williams 1490-1570
  • Washington and Lee 1430-1540
  • ACT range
  • Williams 34-35
  • Washington and Lee 33-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Williams Test optional
  • Washington and Lee Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Williams Jan 10, 2027
  • Washington and Lee Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Williams $68,560
  • Washington and Lee $68,045
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Williams $68,560
  • Washington and Lee $68,045
  • Room & board
  • Williams $17,260
  • Washington and Lee $18,685
  • Average net price
  • Williams $15,894
  • Washington and Lee $23,055
  • Average grant aid
  • Williams $68,966
  • Washington and Lee $63,945
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Williams 54%
  • Washington and Lee 64%
  • Graduation rate
  • Williams 95%
  • Washington and Lee 91%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Williams $73,600
  • Washington and Lee $89,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Williams 83%
  • Washington and Lee 88%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Williams $14,582
  • Washington and Lee $21,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Williams $150
  • Washington and Lee $222
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Williams 6:1
  • Washington and Lee 7:1
  • Popular majors
  • Williams
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • History (9%)
    • Foreign Languages (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Washington and Lee
    • Social Sciences (21%)
    • Business (19%)
    • Foreign Languages (9%)
    • History (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Location
  • Williams Williamstown, MA
  • Washington and Lee Lexington, VA
  • Setting
  • Williams Distant Town
  • Washington and Lee Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Williams 2,164
  • Washington and Lee 2,241
  • Type
  • Williams Private 4 Year
  • Washington and Lee Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Williams #14
  • Washington and Lee #31

Comparable Facts

Compare Williams College in Williamstown, MA with Washington and Lee University in Lexington, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Washington and Lee University is larger than Williams based on total student enrollment (2,241 students vs. 2,164 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Williams College is located in Williamstown, MA (Distant Town setting); Washington and Lee University is in Lexington, VA (Distant Town setting).
  • Williams College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Washington and Lee University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Williams College 6:1; Washington and Lee University 7:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Williams College are 7.6% lower than at Washington and Lee University ($17,260 vs. $18,685).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 0.8% higher at Williams than at Washington and Lee University (about $515 more per year; $68,560 vs. $68,045).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Washington and Lee University than at Williams College (64% vs. 54%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Williams College students is 7.9% larger than aid received by Washington and Lee University students ($68,966 vs. $63,945).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Williams than at Washington and Lee (34 vs. 33, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Williams and Washington and Lee.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Williams Jan 10, 2027; Washington and Lee Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Williams average a 3.94 high school GPA, 0.07 higher than at Washington and Lee (3.87).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43% at Williams vs. 41.2% at Washington and Lee.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Williams College graduates have a $6,918 lower median loan debt than Washington and Lee graduates ($14,582 vs. $21,500).
  • Among borrowers, Williams graduates have an estimated $72 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Washington and Lee graduates ($150 vs. $222).
  • More Washington and Lee 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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