Boston University vs Williams College
Boston University is a private university in Boston, MA, and Williams College is a private college in Williamstown, MA. Williams College is the more selective of the two, admitting about 8% of applicants against 11% at Boston University. Williams College is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $17,716 a year against $24,402 at Boston University. About 95% of students graduate at Williams College, compared with 89% at Boston University. Ten years after enrolling, Williams College alumni earn a median of about $88,665, against $83,238 for Boston University.
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* 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.
- Is Boston University or Williams College harder to get into?
- Williams College is harder to get into. It admits about 8% of applicants, compared with 11% at Boston University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, Boston University or Williams College?
- Williams College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $17,716 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $24,402 at Boston University. 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 Boston University and Williams College?
- Before aid, Williams College costs about $84,860 a year and Boston University about $86,285. 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, Boston University or Williams College?
- Williams College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $-2,610 there, against about $9,500 at Boston University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Boston University or Williams College?
- Boston University is the larger of the two, with about 18,248 undergraduates against 2,076 at Williams College.
- Does Boston University or Williams College have a better graduation rate?
- Williams College has the higher graduation rate, at about 95% against 89% at Boston University.
- Do graduates of Boston University or Williams College earn more?
- Williams College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $88,665 ten years after enrolling, against about $83,238 for Boston University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Boston University and Williams College require SAT or ACT scores?
- Boston University 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 Boston University and Williams College look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1420–1530 at Boston University and 1490–1570 at Williams College. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
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