Williams vs. Clarkson

Comparable Facts

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

Clarkson University is larger than Williams based on total student enrollment (3,348 students vs. 2,164 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Williams College is located in Williamstown, MA (Distant Town setting); Clarkson University is in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting).
• Williams College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Clarkson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Williams College 6:1; Clarkson University 13:1.

Williams vs. Clarkson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Williams or Clarkson? 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 Clarkson ($15,894 vs. $32,406).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Williams College are 5.4% lower than at Clarkson University ($17,260 vs. $18,252).
• Williams College is 15.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Clarkson (about $9,162 more per year; $68,560.00 vs. $59,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.4% higher at Williams than at Clarkson University (about $9,162 more per year; $68,560.00 vs. $59,398.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University than at Williams College (100% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Williams College students is 48.2% larger than aid received by Clarkson University students ($68,966 vs. $46,528).

Williams vs. Clarkson Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Williams College (1530) is 230 points higher than at Clarkson (1300).
• Incoming Williams students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 28 at Clarkson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Williams College 1490/1570; Clarkson University 1200/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Williams College 34/35; Clarkson University 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Williams - Test optional; Clarkson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Williams Jan 10, 2027; Clarkson Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Williams students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Clarkson (3.8).
• Clarkson has a higher acceptance rate (77.4%) than Williams (8.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43% at Williams vs. 9.5% at Clarkson.

Williams vs. Clarkson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Williams and Clarkson? 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 Clarkson University's (72%).
• Graduates from Williams College earn a median of about $2,800 more per year than Clarkson graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,600 vs. $70,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Williams College graduates have a $12,418 lower median loan debt than Clarkson graduates ($14,582 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Williams graduates have an estimated $129 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clarkson graduates ($150 vs. $279).
• More Clarkson 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.