Williams vs. Vassar

Comparable Facts

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

Vassar College is larger than Williams based on total student enrollment (2,462 students vs. 2,164 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Williams College is located in Williamstown, MA (Distant Town setting); Vassar College is in Poughkeepsie, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Williams College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Vassar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Williams College 6:1; Vassar College 7:1.

Williams vs. Vassar Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Williams or Vassar? 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 Vassar ($15,894 vs. $29,981).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Williams College are 5.4% lower than at Vassar College ($17,260 vs. $18,240).
• Vassar College is 3.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Williams (about $2,470 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $68,560.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.6% higher at Vassar than at Williams College (about $2,470 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $68,560.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vassar College than at Williams College (55% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Williams College students is 20.1% larger than aid received by Vassar College students ($68,966 vs. $57,443).

Williams vs. Vassar Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Williams College (1530) is 30 points higher than at Vassar (1500).
• Incoming Williams students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Vassar (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Williams College 1490/1570; Vassar College 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Williams College 34/35; Vassar College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Williams - Test optional; Vassar - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Williams Jan 10, 2027; Vassar Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Williams students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Vassar (3.86).
• Vassar has a higher acceptance rate (18.6%) than Williams (8.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43% at Williams vs. 28.8% at Vassar.

Williams vs. Vassar Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Williams and Vassar? 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 Vassar College's (91%).
• Graduates from Williams College earn a median of about $15,200 more per year than Vassar graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,600 vs. $58,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Williams College graduates have a $1,198 lower median loan debt than Vassar graduates ($14,582 vs. $15,780).
• Among borrowers, Williams graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Vassar graduates ($150 vs. $163).
• More Vassar graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Williams students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.