Williams vs. Washington and Lee

Comparable Facts

Compare Williams College in Williamstown, MA with Washington and Lee University in Lexington, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Washington and Lee University is larger than Williams based on total student enrollment (2,241 students vs. 2,164 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Williams College is located in Williamstown, MA (Distant Town setting); Washington and Lee University is in Lexington, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Williams College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Washington and Lee University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Williams College 6:1; Washington and Lee University 7:1.

Williams vs. Washington and Lee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Williams or Washington and Lee? 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 Washington and Lee ($15,894 vs. $23,055).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Williams College are 7.6% lower than at Washington and Lee University ($17,260 vs. $18,685).
• Williams College is 0.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Washington and Lee (about $515 more per year; $68,560.00 vs. $68,045.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.8% higher at Williams than at Washington and Lee University (about $515 more per year; $68,560.00 vs. $68,045.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Washington and Lee University than at Williams College (64% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Williams College students is 7.9% larger than aid received by Washington and Lee University students ($68,966 vs. $63,945).

Williams vs. Washington and Lee Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Williams College (1530) is 40 points higher than at Washington and Lee (1490).
• Incoming Williams students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at Washington and Lee).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Williams College 1490/1570; Washington and Lee University 1430/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Williams College 34/35; Washington and Lee University 33/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Williams - Test optional; Washington and Lee - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Williams Jan 10, 2027; Washington and Lee Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Williams students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Washington and Lee (3.87).
• Washington and Lee has a higher acceptance rate (14%) than Williams (8.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43% at Williams vs. 41.2% at Washington and Lee.

Williams vs. Washington and Lee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Williams and Washington and Lee? 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 Washington and Lee University's (91%).
• Graduates from Washington and Lee University earn a median of about $15,400 more per year than Williams graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,000 vs. $73,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Williams College graduates have a $6,918 lower median loan debt than Washington and Lee graduates ($14,582 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Williams graduates have an estimated $72 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Washington and Lee graduates ($150 vs. $222).
• More Washington and Lee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Williams students, three years after graduation. (88% 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.