Williams vs. Purchase College

Comparable Facts

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

SUNY at Purchase College is larger than Williams based on total student enrollment (3,333 students vs. 2,164 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Williams College is located in Williamstown, MA (Distant Town setting); SUNY at Purchase College is in Purchase, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Williams College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY at Purchase College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Williams College 6:1; SUNY at Purchase College 12:1.

Williams vs. Purchase College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Williams or Purchase 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 Purchase College ($15,894 vs. $18,211).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY at Purchase College are 4.8% lower than at Williams College ($16,436 vs. $17,260).
• Williams College is 665.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purchase College (about $59,607 more per year; $68,560.00 vs. $8,953.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 257% higher at Williams than at SUNY at Purchase College (about $49,357 more per year; $68,560.00 vs. $19,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY at Purchase College than at Williams College (72% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Williams College students is 561.1% larger than aid received by SUNY at Purchase College students ($68,966 vs. $10,432).

Williams vs. Purchase College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Williams College (1530) is 250 points higher than at Purchase College (1280).
• Incoming Williams students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 28 at Purchase College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Williams College 1490/1570; SUNY at Purchase College 1185/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Williams College 34/35; SUNY at Purchase College 27/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Williams - Test optional; Purchase College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Williams Jan 10, 2027; Purchase College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Williams students have a 0.57 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Purchase College (3.37).
• Purchase College has a higher acceptance rate (74%) than Williams (8.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43% at Williams vs. 12.9% at Purchase College.

Williams vs. Purchase College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Williams and Purchase 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 SUNY at Purchase College's (56%).
• Graduates from Williams College earn a median of about $33,400 more per year than Purchase College graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,600 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Williams College graduates have a $7,918 lower median loan debt than Purchase College graduates ($14,582 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, Williams graduates have an estimated $82 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Purchase College graduates ($150 vs. $232).
• More Williams graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Purchase College students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 65%)

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.