Williams vs. Hamilton College

Comparable Facts

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

Williams College is larger than Hamilton College based on total student enrollment (2,164 students vs. 2,031 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Williams vs. Hamilton College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Williams or Hamilton 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 Hamilton College ($15,894 vs. $28,719).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Williams College are 1.4% lower than at Hamilton College ($17,260 vs. $17,510).
• Hamilton College is 0.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Williams (about $400 more per year; $68,960.00 vs. $68,560.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.6% higher at Hamilton College than at Williams College (about $400 more per year; $68,960.00 vs. $68,560.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hamilton College than at Williams College (56% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Williams College students is 24.2% larger than aid received by Hamilton College students ($68,966 vs. $55,511).

Williams vs. Hamilton College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Williams College (1530) is 30 points higher than at Hamilton College (1500).
• Incoming Williams students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Hamilton College (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Williams College 1490/1570; Hamilton College 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Williams College 34/35; Hamilton College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Williams - Test optional; Hamilton College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Williams Jan 10, 2027; Hamilton College Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Williams students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Hamilton College (3.87).
• Hamilton College has a higher acceptance rate (13.6%) than Williams (8.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43% at Williams vs. 39% at Hamilton College.

Williams vs. Hamilton College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Williams and Hamilton 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).

• Williams College's six-year graduation rate (95%) is higher than Hamilton College's (89%).
• Graduates from Hamilton College earn a median of about $5,400 more per year than Williams graduates about ten years after starting college ($79,000 vs. $73,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Williams College graduates have a $1,178 lower median loan debt than Hamilton College graduates ($14,582 vs. $15,760).
• Among borrowers, Williams graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hamilton College graduates ($150 vs. $162).
• More Hamilton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Williams students, three years after graduation. (90% 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.