Williams vs. Penn

Comparable Facts

Compare Williams College in Williamstown, MA with University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Pennsylvania is larger than Williams based on total student enrollment (29,109 students vs. 2,164 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Williams College is located in Williamstown, MA (Distant Town setting); University of Pennsylvania is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Williams College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Pennsylvania is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Williams College 6:1; University of Pennsylvania 8:1.

Williams vs. Penn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Williams or Penn? 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 Penn ($15,894 vs. $23,570).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Williams College are 10% lower than at University of Pennsylvania ($17,260 vs. $19,174).
• University of Pennsylvania is 0.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Williams (about $126 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $68,560.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.2% higher at Penn than at Williams College (about $126 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $68,560.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Williams College than at University of Pennsylvania (54% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Williams College students is 5.4% larger than aid received by University of Pennsylvania students ($68,966 vs. $65,458).

Williams vs. Penn Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Pennsylvania (1540) is 10 points higher than at Williams (1530).
• Incoming Penn students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 34 at Williams).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Williams College 1490/1570; University of Pennsylvania 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Williams College 34/35; University of Pennsylvania 34/36.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Williams - Test optional; Penn - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Williams Jan 10, 2027; Penn Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Williams (3.94).
• Williams has a higher acceptance rate (8.3%) than Penn (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43% at Williams vs. 68% at Penn.

Williams vs. Penn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Williams and Penn? 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).

• University of Pennsylvania's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Williams College's (95%).
• Graduates from University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $50,000 more per year than Williams graduates about ten years after starting college ($123,600 vs. $73,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Williams College graduates have a $6,051 lower median loan debt than Penn graduates ($14,582 vs. $20,633).
• Among borrowers, Williams graduates have an estimated $63 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn graduates ($150 vs. $213).
• More Penn 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.