UMass vs. Williams

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Amherst is larger than Williams based on total student enrollment (31,726 students vs. 2,164 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Amherst is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Williams College is in Williamstown, MA (Distant Town setting).
• University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Williams College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Amherst 17:1; Williams College 6:1.

UMass vs. Williams Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMass 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 UMass ($15,894 vs. $22,948).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Amherst are 3.2% lower than at Williams College ($16,710 vs. $17,260).
• Williams College is 285.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMass (about $50,788 more per year; $68,560.00 vs. $17,772.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 69.5% higher at Williams than at University of Massachusetts Amherst (about $28,111 more per year; $68,560.00 vs. $40,449.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Amherst than at Williams College (81% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Williams College students is 426.1% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Amherst students ($68,966 vs. $13,110).

UMass vs. Williams Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UMass 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 UMass.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Williams College (1530) is 120 points higher than at UMass (1410).
• Incoming Williams students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 31 at UMass).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Amherst 1310/1500; Williams College 1490/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Amherst 30/33; Williams College 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMass - Test optional; Williams - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMass Jan 15, 2027; Williams Jan 10, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UMass students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.99) than students at Williams (3.94).
• UMass has a higher acceptance rate (59.7%) than Williams (8.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at UMass vs. 43% at Williams.

UMass vs. Williams Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMass 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 University of Massachusetts Amherst's (67%).
• Graduates from Williams College earn a median of about $18,400 more per year than UMass graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,600 vs. $55,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Williams College graduates have a $9,418 lower median loan debt than UMass graduates ($14,582 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, Williams graduates have an estimated $98 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UMass graduates ($150 vs. $248).
• More Williams graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMass students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 76%)

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.