Williams vs. Carleton College

Comparable Facts

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

Williams College is larger than Carleton College based on total student enrollment (2,164 students vs. 2,128 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Williams College is located in Williamstown, MA (Distant Town setting); Carleton College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
• Williams College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Williams College 6:1; Carleton College 8:1.

Williams vs. Carleton College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Williams or Carleton College? 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 Carleton College ($15,894 vs. $28,047).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Williams College are 1.9% lower than at Carleton College ($17,260 vs. $17,586).
• Carleton College is 0.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Williams (about $332 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $68,560.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.5% higher at Carleton College than at Williams College (about $332 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $68,560.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carleton College than at Williams College (59% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Williams College students is 21.3% larger than aid received by Carleton College students ($68,966 vs. $56,846).

Williams vs. Carleton College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Williams or Carleton College? 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 Carleton College and Williams.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Williams College (1530) is 20 points higher than at Carleton College (1510).
• Incoming Williams students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at Carleton College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Williams College 1490/1570; Carleton College 1450/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Williams College 34/35; Carleton College 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Williams - Test optional; Carleton College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Williams Jan 10, 2027; Carleton College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Williams students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Carleton College (3.9).
• Carleton College has a higher acceptance rate (20.4%) than Williams (8.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43% at Williams vs. 34.8% at Carleton College.

Williams vs. Carleton College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Williams and Carleton College? 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 Carleton College's (93%).
• Graduates from Williams College earn a median of about $8,000 more per year than Carleton College graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,600 vs. $65,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Williams College graduates have a $4,918 lower median loan debt than Carleton College graduates ($14,582 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Williams graduates have an estimated $51 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carleton College graduates ($150 vs. $201).
• More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Williams students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.