Claremont McKenna vs. Williams

Comparable Facts

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

Williams College is larger than Claremont McKenna based on total student enrollment (2,164 students vs. 1,393 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Claremont McKenna College is located in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting); Williams College is in Williamstown, MA (Distant Town setting).
• Claremont McKenna College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Williams College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Claremont McKenna College 8:1; Williams College 6:1.

Claremont McKenna vs. Williams Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Claremont McKenna 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 Claremont McKenna ($15,894 vs. $33,895).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Williams College are 17.1% lower than at Claremont McKenna College ($17,260 vs. $20,830).
• Williams College is 0.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Claremont McKenna (about $580 more per year; $68,560.00 vs. $67,980.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.9% higher at Williams than at Claremont McKenna College (about $580 more per year; $68,560.00 vs. $67,980.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Williams College than at Claremont McKenna College (54% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Williams College students is 31.1% larger than aid received by Claremont McKenna College students ($68,966 vs. $52,605).

Claremont McKenna vs. Williams Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Claremont McKenna 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 Claremont McKenna.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Williams College (1530) is 10 points higher than at Claremont McKenna (1520).
• Incoming Claremont McKenna 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: Claremont McKenna College 1470/1560; Williams College 1490/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Claremont McKenna College 33/35; Williams College 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Claremont McKenna - Test optional; Williams - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027; Williams Jan 10, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Williams students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Claremont McKenna (3.89).
• Claremont McKenna has a higher acceptance rate (9.6%) than Williams (8.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Claremont McKenna vs. 43% at Williams.

Claremont McKenna vs. Williams Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Claremont McKenna 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).

• Williams College's six-year graduation rate (95%) is higher than Claremont McKenna College's (91%).
• Graduates from Claremont McKenna College earn a median of about $24,200 more per year than Williams graduates about ten years after starting college ($97,800 vs. $73,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Williams College graduates have a $385 lower median loan debt than Claremont McKenna graduates ($14,582 vs. $14,967).
• Among borrowers, Williams graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Claremont McKenna graduates ($150 vs. $154).

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.