Williams vs. Oberlin

Comparable Facts

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

Oberlin College is larger than Williams based on total student enrollment (2,909 students vs. 2,164 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Williams College is located in Williamstown, MA (Distant Town setting); Oberlin College is in Oberlin, OH (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Williams College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Oberlin College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Williams College 6:1; Oberlin College 9:1.

Williams vs. Oberlin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Williams or Oberlin? 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 Oberlin ($15,894 vs. $51,624).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Williams College are 11.5% lower than at Oberlin College ($17,260 vs. $19,510).
• Williams College is 1.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Oberlin (about $1,194 more per year; $68,560.00 vs. $67,366.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.8% higher at Williams than at Oberlin College (about $1,194 more per year; $68,560.00 vs. $67,366.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oberlin College than at Williams College (99% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Williams College students is 92.8% larger than aid received by Oberlin College students ($68,966 vs. $35,780).

Williams vs. Oberlin Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Williams College (1530) is 90 points higher than at Oberlin (1440).
• Incoming Williams students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Oberlin).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Williams College 1490/1570; Oberlin College 1360/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Williams College 34/35; Oberlin College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Williams - Test optional; Oberlin - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Williams Jan 10, 2027; Oberlin Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Williams students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Oberlin (3.67).
• Oberlin has a higher acceptance rate (34.2%) than Williams (8.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43% at Williams vs. 19.5% at Oberlin.

Williams vs. Oberlin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Williams and Oberlin? 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 Oberlin College's (88%).
• Graduates from Williams College earn a median of about $29,700 more per year than Oberlin graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,600 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Williams College graduates have a $11,997 lower median loan debt than Oberlin graduates ($14,582 vs. $26,579).
• Among borrowers, Williams graduates have an estimated $124 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oberlin graduates ($150 vs. $274).
• More Williams graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oberlin students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 82%)

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.