Amherst vs. Williams

Comparable Facts

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

Williams College is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (2,164 students vs. 1,914 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Amherst vs. Williams Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Amherst or Williams? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Williams College than Amherst ($15,894 vs. $19,049).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Williams College are 6.1% lower than at Amherst College ($17,260 vs. $18,390).
• Amherst College is 2.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Williams (about $1,920 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $68,560.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.8% higher at Amherst than at Williams College (about $1,920 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $68,560.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Amherst College than at Williams College (59% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Williams College students is 0.5% larger than aid received by Amherst College students ($68,966 vs. $68,591).

Amherst vs. Williams Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Amherst or Williams? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Williams and Amherst.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Amherst College (1540) is 10 points higher than at Williams (1530).
• Incoming Amherst students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Williams (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 1490/1580; Williams College 1490/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 33/35; Williams College 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Amherst - Test optional; Williams - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Williams Jan 10, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Williams students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Amherst (3.91).
• Amherst has a higher acceptance rate (9%) than Williams (8.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 43% at Williams.

Amherst vs. Williams Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Amherst and Williams? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Amherst College's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Williams College's (95%).
• Graduates from Amherst College earn a median of about $8,400 more per year than Williams graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,000 vs. $73,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $1,607 lower median loan debt than Williams graduates ($12,975 vs. $14,582).
• Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Williams graduates ($134 vs. $150).
• More Amherst graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Williams students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 83%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.