George Washington vs. Williams

Comparable Facts

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

George Washington University is larger than Williams based on total student enrollment (25,374 students vs. 2,164 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• George Washington University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Williams College is in Williamstown, MA (Distant Town setting).
• George Washington University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Williams College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: George Washington University 13:1; Williams College 6:1.

George Washington vs. Williams Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, George Washington 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 George Washington ($15,894 vs. $46,485).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at George Washington University are 2% lower than at Williams College ($16,920 vs. $17,260).
• Williams College is 1.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than George Washington (about $850 more per year; $68,560.00 vs. $67,710.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.3% higher at Williams than at George Washington University (about $850 more per year; $68,560.00 vs. $67,710.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at George Washington University than at Williams College (78% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Williams College students is 83.9% larger than aid received by George Washington University students ($68,966 vs. $37,500).

George Washington vs. Williams Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, George Washington 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 George Washington.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Williams College (1530) is 100 points higher than at George Washington (1430).
• Incoming Williams students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at George Washington).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: George Washington University 1350/1500; Williams College 1490/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: George Washington University 31/34; Williams College 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: George Washington - Test optional; Williams - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: George Washington Jan 5, 2027; Williams Jan 10, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Williams students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at George Washington (3.81).
• George Washington has a higher acceptance rate (47.1%) than Williams (8.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.3% at George Washington vs. 43% at Williams.

George Washington vs. Williams Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for George Washington 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 George Washington University's (81%).
• Graduates from George Washington University earn a median of about $6,900 more per year than Williams graduates about ten years after starting college ($80,500 vs. $73,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Williams College graduates have a $10,380 lower median loan debt than George Washington graduates ($14,582 vs. $24,962).
• Among borrowers, Williams graduates have an estimated $108 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than George Washington graduates ($150 vs. $258).
• More Williams graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former George Washington students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 82%)

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.