Williams vs. Fordham

Comparable Facts

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

Fordham University is larger than Williams based on total student enrollment (16,150 students vs. 2,164 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Williams College is located in Williamstown, MA (Distant Town setting); Fordham University is in Bronx, NY (Large City setting).
• Williams College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Fordham University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Williams College 6:1; Fordham University 14:1.

Williams vs. Fordham Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Williams or Fordham? 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 Fordham ($15,894 vs. $48,190).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Williams College are 28.4% lower than at Fordham University ($17,260 vs. $24,090).
• Williams College is 5.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fordham (about $3,645 more per year; $68,560.00 vs. $64,915.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.6% higher at Williams than at Fordham University (about $3,645 more per year; $68,560.00 vs. $64,915.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fordham University than at Williams College (95% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Williams College students is 91.6% larger than aid received by Fordham University students ($68,966 vs. $35,988).

Williams vs. Fordham Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Williams College (1530) is 130 points higher than at Fordham (1400).
• Incoming Williams students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 31 at Fordham).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Williams College 1490/1570; Fordham University 1320/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Williams College 34/35; Fordham University 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Williams - Test optional; Fordham - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Williams Jan 10, 2027; Fordham Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Williams students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Fordham (3.67).
• Fordham has a higher acceptance rate (59.3%) than Williams (8.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43% at Williams vs. 9.7% at Fordham.

Williams vs. Fordham Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Williams and Fordham? 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 Fordham University's (78%).
• Graduates from Williams College earn a median of about $9,400 more per year than Fordham graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,600 vs. $64,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Williams College graduates have a $11,418 lower median loan debt than Fordham graduates ($14,582 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Williams graduates have an estimated $118 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fordham graduates ($150 vs. $268).
• More Williams graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fordham 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.