Williams vs. Union College

Comparable Facts

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

Williams College is larger than Union College based on total student enrollment (2,164 students vs. 2,065 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Williams vs. Union College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Williams or Union 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 Union College ($15,894 vs. $42,137).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union College are 1.4% lower than at Williams College ($17,010 vs. $17,260).
• Union College is 0.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Williams (about $479 more per year; $69,039.00 vs. $68,560.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.7% higher at Union College than at Williams College (about $479 more per year; $69,039.00 vs. $68,560.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Union College than at Williams College (96% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Williams College students is 62.1% larger than aid received by Union College students ($68,966 vs. $42,534).

Williams vs. Union College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Williams College (1530) is 130 points higher than at Union College (1400).
• Incoming Williams students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 31 at Union College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Williams College 1490/1570; Union College 1310/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Williams College 34/35; Union College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Williams - Test optional; Union College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Williams Jan 10, 2027; Union College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Williams students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Union College (3.5).
• Union College has a higher acceptance rate (43.9%) than Williams (8.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43% at Williams vs. 13.9% at Union College.

Williams vs. Union College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Williams and Union 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 Union College's (86%).
• Graduates from Union College earn a median of about $600 more per year than Williams graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,200 vs. $73,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Williams College graduates have a $12,418 lower median loan debt than Union College graduates ($14,582 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Williams graduates have an estimated $129 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Union College graduates ($150 vs. $279).
• More Union College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Williams students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.