Williams vs. Villanova

Comparable Facts

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

Villanova University is larger than Williams based on total student enrollment (10,041 students vs. 2,164 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Williams College is located in Williamstown, MA (Distant Town setting); Villanova University is in Villanova, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Williams College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Villanova University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Williams College 6:1; Villanova University 10:1.

Williams vs. Villanova Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Williams or Villanova? 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 Villanova ($15,894 vs. $37,201).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Williams College are 2.5% lower than at Villanova University ($17,260 vs. $17,694).
• Williams College is 1.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Villanova (about $784 more per year; $68,560.00 vs. $67,776.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.2% higher at Williams than at Villanova University (about $784 more per year; $68,560.00 vs. $67,776.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Williams College than at Villanova University (54% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Williams College students is 44.9% larger than aid received by Villanova University students ($68,966 vs. $47,609).

Williams vs. Villanova Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Williams College (1530) is 80 points higher than at Villanova (1450).
• Incoming Williams students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at Villanova).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Williams College 1490/1570; Villanova University 1395/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Williams College 34/35; Villanova University 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Williams - Test optional; Villanova - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Williams Jan 10, 2027; Villanova Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Williams students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Villanova (3.87).
• Villanova has a higher acceptance rate (27%) than Williams (8.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43% at Williams vs. 27.7% at Villanova.

Williams vs. Villanova Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Williams and Villanova? 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 Villanova University's (90%).
• Graduates from Villanova University earn a median of about $11,500 more per year than Williams graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,100 vs. $73,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Williams College graduates have a $11,915 lower median loan debt than Villanova graduates ($14,582 vs. $26,497).
• Among borrowers, Williams graduates have an estimated $123 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Villanova graduates ($150 vs. $273).
• More Villanova graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Williams students, three years after graduation. (90% 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.