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Amherst College vs Williams College

Amherst College is a private college in Amherst, MA. Williams College is a private college in Williamstown, MA. Williams College admits about 8% of applicants and Amherst College about 9%, making Williams College the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $17,716 a year at Williams College after aid, and about $23,367 at Amherst College. About 95% of students graduate at Williams College, compared with 94% at Amherst College. Ten years after enrolling, Williams College alumni earn a median of about $88,665, against $77,644 for Amherst College.

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Amherst College

Amherst, MA · Private

Williams College

Williamstown, MA · Private
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
Amherst, MA
Williamstown, MA
Setting
Urban
Suburban
Undergraduates
1,911
2,076
Acceptance rate
9%
8%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.54–4
3.54–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1490–1580
1490–1570
ACT (middle 50%)
33–35
34–35
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$23,367
$17,716
Full cost / yr
$87,640
$84,860
In-state tuition
$70,480
$68,560
Out-of-state tuition
$70,480
$68,560
Application fee
$65
$65
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$1,086
$0*
$30k - $48k
$1,570
$0*
$48k - $75k
$17,478
$0*
$75k - $110k
$23,639
$3,030
Over $110k
$47,521
$49,594
Outcomes
Graduation rate
94%
95%
Freshman retention
97%
97%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$62,537
$71,754
Median earnings (10 yr)
$77,644
$88,665
Median debt at graduation
$13,740
$12,761
Student body
Pell grant recipients
20%
18%
First-generation students
21%
22%
International students
13%
9%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 9
Nov 15
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Jan 5
Jan 5

* Reported aid for this income range averaged above the billed cost.

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is Amherst College or Williams College harder to get into?
Williams College is harder to get into. It admits about 8% of applicants, compared with 9% at Amherst College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Amherst College or Williams College?
Williams College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $17,716 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $23,367 at Amherst College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at Amherst College and Williams College?
Before aid, Williams College costs about $84,860 a year and Amherst College about $87,640. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Amherst College or Williams College?
Williams College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $-2,610 there, against about $1,086 at Amherst College. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Amherst College or Williams College?
Williams College is the larger of the two, with about 2,076 undergraduates against 1,911 at Amherst College.
Does Amherst College or Williams College have a better graduation rate?
Williams College has the higher graduation rate, at about 95% against 94% at Amherst College.
Do graduates of Amherst College or Williams College earn more?
Williams College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $88,665 ten years after enrolling, against about $77,644 for Amherst College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Amherst College and Williams College require SAT or ACT scores?
Amherst College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Williams College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do Amherst College and Williams College look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1490–1580 at Amherst College and 1490–1570 at Williams College. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

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