Williams vs. Lafayette College

Comparable Facts

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

Lafayette College is larger than Williams based on total student enrollment (2,775 students vs. 2,164 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Williams College is located in Williamstown, MA (Distant Town setting); Lafayette College is in Easton, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Williams College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lafayette College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Williams College 6:1; Lafayette College 10:1.

Williams vs. Lafayette College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Williams or Lafayette 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 Lafayette College ($15,894 vs. $38,442).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Williams College are 13.1% lower than at Lafayette College ($17,260 vs. $19,866).
• Williams College is 4.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lafayette College (about $3,162 more per year; $68,560.00 vs. $65,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.8% higher at Williams than at Lafayette College (about $3,162 more per year; $68,560.00 vs. $65,398.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lafayette College than at Williams College (61% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Williams College students is 54.3% larger than aid received by Lafayette College students ($68,966 vs. $44,707).

Williams vs. Lafayette College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Williams College (1530) is 100 points higher than at Lafayette College (1430).
• Incoming Williams students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Lafayette College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Williams College 1490/1570; Lafayette College 1350/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Williams College 34/35; Lafayette College 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Williams - Test optional; Lafayette College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Williams Jan 10, 2027; Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Williams students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Lafayette College (3.53).
• Lafayette College has a higher acceptance rate (31.4%) than Williams (8.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43% at Williams vs. 21.8% at Lafayette College.

Williams vs. Lafayette College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Williams and Lafayette 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 Lafayette College's (88%).
• Graduates from Lafayette College earn a median of about $7,400 more per year than Williams graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,000 vs. $73,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Williams College graduates have a $11,418 lower median loan debt than Lafayette College graduates ($14,582 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Williams graduates have an estimated $118 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lafayette College graduates ($150 vs. $268).
• More Lafayette College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Williams students, three years after graduation. (91% 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.