Williams vs. Providence

Comparable Facts

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

Providence College is larger than Williams based on total student enrollment (4,666 students vs. 2,164 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Williams College is located in Williamstown, MA (Distant Town setting); Providence College is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
• Williams College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Providence College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Williams College 6:1; Providence College 11:1.

Williams vs. Providence Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Williams or Providence? 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 Providence ($15,894 vs. $48,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Williams College are 3.3% lower than at Providence College ($17,260 vs. $17,840).
• Williams College is 7.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Providence (about $5,010 more per year; $68,560.00 vs. $63,550.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.9% higher at Williams than at Providence College (about $5,010 more per year; $68,560.00 vs. $63,550.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Providence College than at Williams College (83% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Williams College students is 116.4% larger than aid received by Providence College students ($68,966 vs. $31,873).

Williams vs. Providence Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Williams College (1530) is 210 points higher than at Providence (1320).
• Incoming Williams students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 30 at Providence).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Williams College 1490/1570; Providence College 1250/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Williams College 34/35; Providence College 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Williams - Test optional; Providence - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Williams Jan 10, 2027; Providence Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Williams students have a 0.47 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Providence (3.47).
• Providence has a higher acceptance rate (50.9%) than Williams (8.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43% at Williams vs. 19.2% at Providence.

Williams vs. Providence Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Williams and Providence? 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 Providence College's (85%).
• Graduates from Williams College earn a median of about $5,600 more per year than Providence graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,600 vs. $68,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Williams College graduates have a $12,418 lower median loan debt than Providence graduates ($14,582 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Williams graduates have an estimated $129 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Providence graduates ($150 vs. $279).
• More Williams graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Providence students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 80%)

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.