Williams vs. Colgate

Comparable Facts

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

Colgate University is larger than Williams based on total student enrollment (3,211 students vs. 2,164 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Williams College is located in Williamstown, MA (Distant Town setting); Colgate University is in Hamilton, NY (Distant Town setting).
• Williams College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Colgate University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Williams College 6:1; Colgate University 9:1.

Williams vs. Colgate Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Williams or Colgate? 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 Colgate ($15,894 vs. $28,736).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Williams College are 2% lower than at Colgate University ($17,260 vs. $17,610).
• Colgate University is 2.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Williams (about $1,746 more per year; $70,306.00 vs. $68,560.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.5% higher at Colgate than at Williams College (about $1,746 more per year; $70,306.00 vs. $68,560.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Williams College than at Colgate University (54% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Williams College students is 18.2% larger than aid received by Colgate University students ($68,966 vs. $58,334).

Williams vs. Colgate Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Williams College (1530) is 40 points higher than at Colgate (1490).
• Incoming Williams students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at Colgate).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Williams College 1490/1570; Colgate University 1430/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Williams College 34/35; Colgate University 33/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Williams - Test optional; Colgate - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Williams Jan 10, 2027; Colgate Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Williams students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Colgate (3.77).
• Colgate has a higher acceptance rate (13.9%) than Williams (8.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43% at Williams vs. 28.7% at Colgate.

Williams vs. Colgate Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Williams and Colgate? 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 Colgate University's (92%).
• Graduates from Colgate University earn a median of about $1,700 more per year than Williams graduates about ten years after starting college ($75,300 vs. $73,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Williams College graduates have a $1,543 lower median loan debt than Colgate graduates ($14,582 vs. $16,125).
• Among borrowers, Williams graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colgate graduates ($150 vs. $166).
• More Colgate 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.