Williams vs. Reed

Comparable Facts

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

Williams College is larger than Reed based on total student enrollment (2,164 students vs. 1,358 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Williams College is located in Williamstown, MA (Distant Town setting); Reed College is in Portland, OR (Large City setting).
• Williams College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Reed College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Williams College 6:1; Reed College 9:1.

Williams vs. Reed Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Williams or Reed? 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 Reed ($15,894 vs. $30,953).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Williams College are 2.3% lower than at Reed College ($17,260 vs. $17,660).
• Reed College is 1.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Williams (about $790 more per year; $69,350.00 vs. $68,560.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.2% higher at Reed than at Williams College (about $790 more per year; $69,350.00 vs. $68,560.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Reed College than at Williams College (58% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Williams College students is 24.4% larger than aid received by Reed College students ($68,966 vs. $55,445).

Williams vs. Reed Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Williams College (1530) is 120 points higher than at Reed (1410).
• Incoming Williams students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Reed).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Williams College 1490/1570; Reed College 1290/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Williams College 34/35; Reed College 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Williams - Test optional; Reed - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Williams Jan 10, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Reed students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Williams (3.94).
• Reed has a higher acceptance rate (24.6%) than Williams (8.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43% at Williams vs. 13.1% at Reed.

Williams vs. Reed Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Williams and Reed? 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 Reed College's (80%).
• Graduates from Williams College earn a median of about $26,400 more per year than Reed graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,600 vs. $47,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Williams College graduates have a $1,418 lower median loan debt than Reed graduates ($14,582 vs. $16,000).
• Among borrowers, Williams graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Reed graduates ($150 vs. $165).
• More Reed graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Williams students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.