Williams vs. Olin College

Comparable Facts

Compare Williams College in Williamstown, MA with Franklin W Olin College of Engineering in Needham, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Williams College is larger than Olin College based on total student enrollment (2,164 students vs. 405 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Williams College is located in Williamstown, MA (Distant Town setting); Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is in Needham, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Williams College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Williams College 6:1; Franklin W Olin College of Engineering 9:1.

Williams vs. Olin College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Williams or Olin 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 Olin College ($15,894 vs. $43,184).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Williams College are 17.1% lower than at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering ($17,260 vs. $20,810).
• Williams College is 3.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Olin College (about $2,162 more per year; $68,560.00 vs. $66,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.3% higher at Williams than at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering (about $2,162 more per year; $68,560.00 vs. $66,398.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering than at Williams College (100% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Williams College students is 59.3% larger than aid received by Franklin W Olin College of Engineering students ($68,966 vs. $43,290).

Williams vs. Olin College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Williams College (1530) is the same as at Olin College (1530).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Williams College 1490/1570; Franklin W Olin College of Engineering 1493/1558.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Williams College 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Williams - Test optional; Olin College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Williams Jan 10, 2027; Olin College Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Williams students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Olin College (3.9).
• Olin College has a higher acceptance rate (25.2%) than Williams (8.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43% at Williams vs. 43.7% at Olin College.

Williams vs. Olin College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Williams and Olin 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).

• Franklin W Olin College of Engineering's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Williams College's (95%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Williams College graduates have a $128 lower median loan debt than Olin College graduates ($14,582 vs. $14,710).
• Among borrowers, Williams graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Olin College graduates ($150 vs. $152).

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.