Williams College

10/10 Overall Rating
4 Year
Williamstown, MA
5.0 2 reviews

#14 Best Colleges in America

Overview Admission Cost Majors Diversity Outcomes Salaries Location Compare Reviews Admission Calculator

Overview

Total enrollment

2,164

Location Williamstown, Massachusetts
Website williams.edu
Type Private 4 Year
Setting Distant Town

Best Colleges Rank

#14

Size Small
Status Non-profit
Housing Yes
Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate

Williams College, situated in the Berkshire Mountains of northwestern Massachusetts, occupies a rural 450-acre campus characterized by traditional New England architecture and expansive green spaces. Established in 1793, it is one of the oldest colleges in the United States and consistently ranks among the most selective liberal arts institutions in the nation. The college maintains a strong focus on undergraduate education through its Oxford-style tutorial system, with particular strengths in economics, mathematics, and art history. Students are required to live on campus all four years in residential houses that range from historic row houses to modern dormitories, fostering the college's close-knit academic community. As a member of the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC), Williams fields NCAA Division III teams and maintains a historic athletic rivalry with Amherst College, dating back to 1859.

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Ratings

Williams is rated within the top 4% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 10 out of 10.

Overall Rating

10 out of 10
Academics

10 out of 10
Resources

10 out of 10
Outcomes

10 out of 10
Value

10 out of 10

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Rankings

Rankings for Williams College within the 2027 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.

Best Colleges in the U.S.

#14
Best Private Colleges in the U.S.

#14
Best Colleges in Massachusetts

#4
Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

#4
Best Value Colleges in the U.S.

#3
Best Value Colleges in Massachusetts

#1

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Admissions

Admission Standards

Exceptional

SAT (enrolled mid-50) 1490/1570
ACT (enrolled mid-50) 34/35

Acceptance Rate

8.3%

Applications Due Jan 10, 2027
Enrollment Rate 43%
Application Fee $65

Applicant Competition Extreme

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Annual Cost to Attend

Tuition

$68,560

Costs for Williams College
Fee		Cost
Tuition		$68,560
Books and Supplies		$1,000
Other Fees		$320
Room and Board		$17,260
Budget for Other Expenses		$2,700
Total One Year Cost		$89,840

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Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$73,600 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

95% within 6 years

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Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at Williams College are Social Sciences, Psychology, and History. 25% of students major in Social Sciences, 10% in Psychology, and 9% in History.