Northeastern vs. Williams

Comparable Facts

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

Northeastern University is larger than Williams based on total student enrollment (32,553 students vs. 2,164 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northeastern University is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Williams College is in Williamstown, MA (Distant Town setting).
• Northeastern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Williams College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northeastern University 16:1; Williams College 6:1.

Northeastern vs. Williams Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northeastern 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 Northeastern ($15,894 vs. $34,207).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Williams College are 11.8% lower than at Northeastern University ($17,260 vs. $19,580).
• Williams College is 3.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northeastern (about $2,398 more per year; $68,560.00 vs. $66,162.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.6% higher at Williams than at Northeastern University (about $2,398 more per year; $68,560.00 vs. $66,162.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northeastern University than at Williams College (66% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Williams College students is 36.8% larger than aid received by Northeastern University students ($68,966 vs. $50,421).

Northeastern vs. Williams Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northeastern 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 Northeastern.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Williams College (1530) is 40 points higher than at Northeastern (1490).
• Incoming Northeastern 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: Northeastern University 1440/1540; Williams College 1490/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northeastern University 33/35; Williams College 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northeastern - Test optional; Williams - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northeastern Jan 1, 2027; Williams Jan 10, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Williams students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Northeastern (3.91).
• Williams has a higher acceptance rate (8.3%) than Northeastern (5.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Northeastern vs. 43% at Williams.

Northeastern vs. Williams Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northeastern 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 Northeastern University's (77%).
• Graduates from Williams College earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than Northeastern graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,600 vs. $69,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Williams College graduates have a $13,293 lower median loan debt than Northeastern graduates ($14,582 vs. $27,875).
• Among borrowers, Williams graduates have an estimated $138 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northeastern graduates ($150 vs. $288).
• More Williams graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northeastern students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 79%)

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.