Wellesley vs. Williams

Comparable Facts

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

Wellesley College is larger than Williams based on total student enrollment (2,407 students vs. 2,164 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wellesley College is located in Wellesley, MA (Large Suburban setting); Williams College is in Williamstown, MA (Distant Town setting).
• Wellesley College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Williams College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wellesley College 7:1; Williams College 6:1.

Wellesley vs. Williams Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wellesley 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 Wellesley ($15,894 vs. $22,174).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Williams College are 17.9% lower than at Wellesley College ($17,260 vs. $21,024).
• Williams College is 2.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wellesley (about $1,384 more per year; $68,560.00 vs. $67,176.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.1% higher at Williams than at Wellesley College (about $1,384 more per year; $68,560.00 vs. $67,176.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Wellesley College as at Williams College (54% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Williams College students is 7.6% larger than aid received by Wellesley College students ($68,966 vs. $64,116).

Wellesley vs. Williams Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wellesley 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 Wellesley.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Williams College (1530) is 20 points higher than at Wellesley (1510).
• Incoming Wellesley 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: Wellesley College 1460/1560; Williams College 1490/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wellesley College 33/35; Williams College 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wellesley - Test optional; Williams - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wellesley Jan 8, 2027; Williams Jan 10, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Williams students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Wellesley (3.86).
• Wellesley has a higher acceptance rate (14%) than Williams (8.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47.6% at Wellesley vs. 43% at Williams.

Wellesley vs. Williams Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wellesley 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 Wellesley College's (92%).
• Graduates from Williams College earn a median of about $5,500 more per year than Wellesley graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,600 vs. $68,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wellesley College graduates have a $5,682 lower median loan debt than Williams graduates ($8,900 vs. $14,582).
• Among borrowers, Wellesley graduates have an estimated $58 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Williams graduates ($92 vs. $150).
• More Wellesley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Williams students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.