Williams vs. Drexel

Comparable Facts

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

Drexel University is larger than Williams based on total student enrollment (21,153 students vs. 2,164 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Williams vs. Drexel Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Williams or Drexel? 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 Drexel ($15,894 vs. $42,801).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Williams College are 4.6% lower than at Drexel University ($17,260 vs. $18,096).
• Williams College is 9.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Drexel (about $6,148 more per year; $68,560.00 vs. $62,412.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.9% higher at Williams than at Drexel University (about $6,148 more per year; $68,560.00 vs. $62,412.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Drexel University than at Williams College (100% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Williams College students is 96.8% larger than aid received by Drexel University students ($68,966 vs. $35,051).

Williams vs. Drexel Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Williams College (1530) is 190 points higher than at Drexel (1340).
• Incoming Williams students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 29 at Drexel).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Williams College 1490/1570; Drexel University 1240/1440.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Williams College 34/35; Drexel University 27/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Williams - Test optional; Drexel - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Williams Jan 10, 2027; Drexel Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Williams students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Drexel (3.67).
• Drexel has a higher acceptance rate (79.4%) than Williams (8.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43% at Williams vs. 8.1% at Drexel.

Williams vs. Drexel Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Williams and Drexel? 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 Drexel University's (68%).
• Graduates from Drexel University earn a median of about $3,800 more per year than Williams graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,400 vs. $73,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Williams College graduates have a $11,661 lower median loan debt than Drexel graduates ($14,582 vs. $26,243).
• Among borrowers, Williams graduates have an estimated $121 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Drexel graduates ($150 vs. $271).
• More Williams graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Drexel students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 77%)

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.