Oxy vs. Williams

Comparable Facts

Compare Occidental College in Los Angeles, 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 Oxy based on total student enrollment (2,164 students vs. 1,881 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Occidental College is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Williams College is in Williamstown, MA (Distant Town setting).
• Occidental College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Williams College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Occidental College 9:1; Williams College 6:1.

Oxy vs. Williams Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Oxy 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 Oxy ($15,894 vs. $48,400).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Williams College are 10.3% lower than at Occidental College ($17,260 vs. $19,252).
• Williams College is 3.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Oxy (about $2,286 more per year; $68,560.00 vs. $66,274.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.4% higher at Williams than at Occidental College (about $2,286 more per year; $68,560.00 vs. $66,274.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Occidental College than at Williams College (75% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Williams College students is 89.5% larger than aid received by Occidental College students ($68,966 vs. $36,400).

Oxy vs. Williams Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Oxy 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 Oxy.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Williams College (1530) is 80 points higher than at Oxy (1450).
• Incoming Williams students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Oxy).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Occidental College 1380/1520; Williams College 1490/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Occidental College 31/34; Williams College 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Oxy - Test optional; Williams - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Oxy Jan 10, 2027; Williams Jan 10, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Williams students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Oxy (3.63).
• Oxy has a higher acceptance rate (44.2%) than Williams (8.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.8% at Oxy vs. 43% at Williams.

Oxy vs. Williams Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Oxy 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 Occidental College's (83%).
• Graduates from Williams College earn a median of about $17,000 more per year than Oxy graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,600 vs. $56,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Williams College graduates have a $9,070 lower median loan debt than Oxy graduates ($14,582 vs. $23,652).
• Among borrowers, Williams graduates have an estimated $94 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oxy graduates ($150 vs. $244).
• More Oxy graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Williams students, three years after graduation. (87% 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.