Yale vs. Williams

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

Yale University
Williams College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Yale (3.9% admitted vs 8.3%). Typical SAT 1520 vs 1530.
  • Cheaper after aid: Williams. Average net price is $15,894 vs $22,408 at Yale.
  • Graduation: Yale 97% vs Williams 95%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Yale $118,400 vs Williams $73,600 (median).
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Key differences

Yale University Williams College
Acceptance rate
Yale more selective
Yale3.9%
Williams8.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Williams higher
Yale1470-1570
Williams1490-1570
Average net price
Williams $6,514 less
Yale$22,408
Williams$15,894
In-state tuition
Yale $1,310 less
Yale$67,250
Williams$68,560
Out-of-state tuition
Yale $1,310 less
Yale$67,250
Williams$68,560
Graduation rate
Yale +2 pts
Yale97%
Williams95%
Median earnings (10 years)
Yale +$44,800
Yale$118,400
Williams$73,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Yale 57,517
  • Williams 15,411
  • Admitted
  • Yale 2,227
  • Williams 1,272
  • Acceptance rate
  • Yale 3.9%
  • Williams 8.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Yale 69.8%
  • Williams 43%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Yale 1520
  • Williams 1530
  • Typical ACT score
  • Yale 34
  • Williams 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Yale 3.95
  • Williams 3.94
  • Typical high school grades
  • Yale A
  • Williams A
  • Admissions standards
  • Yale Elite
  • Williams Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Yale Extreme
  • Williams Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Yale 1470-1570
  • Williams 1490-1570
  • ACT range
  • Yale 33-35
  • Williams 34-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Yale Required
  • Williams Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Yale Jan 2, 2027
  • Williams Jan 10, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Yale $67,250
  • Williams $68,560
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Yale $67,250
  • Williams $68,560
  • Room & board
  • Yale $19,900
  • Williams $17,260
  • Average net price
  • Yale $22,408
  • Williams $15,894
  • Average grant aid
  • Yale $65,892
  • Williams $68,966
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Yale 56%
  • Williams 54%
  • Graduation rate
  • Yale 97%
  • Williams 95%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Yale $118,400
  • Williams $73,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • Yale 84%
  • Williams 83%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Yale $13,500
  • Williams $14,582
  • Median loan payment
  • Yale $139
  • Williams $150
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Yale 5:1
  • Williams 6:1
  • Popular majors
  • Yale
    • Social Sciences (27%)
    • History (9%)
    • General Studies (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Ethnic Studies (7%)
  • Williams
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • History (9%)
    • Foreign Languages (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Location
  • Yale New Haven, CT
  • Williams Williamstown, MA
  • Setting
  • Yale Midsize City
  • Williams Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Yale 15,564
  • Williams 2,164
  • Type
  • Yale Private 4 Year
  • Williams Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Yale #5
  • Williams #14

Comparable Facts

Compare Yale University in New Haven, CT with Williams College in Williamstown, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Yale University is larger than Williams based on total student enrollment (15,564 students vs. 2,164 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Yale University is located in New Haven, CT (Midsize City setting); Williams College is in Williamstown, MA (Distant Town setting).
  • Yale University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Williams College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Yale University 5:1; Williams College 6:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Williams College are 13.3% lower than at Yale University ($17,260 vs. $19,900).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 1.9% higher at Williams than at Yale University (about $1,310 more per year; $68,560 vs. $67,250).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Yale University than at Williams College (56% vs. 54%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Williams College students is 4.7% larger than aid received by Yale University students ($68,966 vs. $65,892).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Yale students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 34) as students at Williams (34).
  • SAT or ACT scores are required at Yale, test optional at Williams.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Yale Jan 2, 2027; Williams Jan 10, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Yale average a 3.95 high school GPA, 0.01 higher than at Williams (3.94).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 69.8% at Yale vs. 43% at Williams.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Yale University graduates have a $1,082 lower median loan debt than Williams graduates ($13,500 vs. $14,582).
  • Among borrowers, Yale graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Williams graduates ($139 vs. $150).
  • More Yale graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Williams students, three years after graduation (84% 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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