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Massachusetts Institute of Technology vs Williams College

Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private institute in Cambridge, MA. Williams College is a private college in Williamstown, MA. Massachusetts Institute of Technology admits about 5% of applicants and Williams College about 8%, making Massachusetts Institute of Technology 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 $20,111 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. About 96% of students graduate at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, compared with 95% at Williams College. Ten years after enrolling, Massachusetts Institute of Technology alumni earn a median of about $143,372, against $88,665 for Williams College.

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Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, MA · Private

Williams College

Williamstown, MA · Private
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
Cambridge, MA
Williamstown, MA
Setting
Urban
Suburban
Undergraduates
4,535
2,076
Acceptance rate
5%
8%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.55–4
3.54–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1520–1580
1490–1570
ACT (middle 50%)
34–36
34–35
Test policy
Required
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$20,111
$17,716
Full cost / yr
$82,730
$84,860
In-state tuition
$62,396
$68,560
Out-of-state tuition
$62,396
$68,560
Application fee
$75
$65
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$0*
$0*
$30k - $48k
$93
$0*
$48k - $75k
$1,480
$0*
$75k - $110k
$11,555
$3,030
Over $110k
$48,479
$49,594
Outcomes
Graduation rate
96%
95%
Freshman retention
99%
97%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$131,633
$71,754
Median earnings (10 yr)
$143,372
$88,665
Median debt at graduation
$14,768
$12,761
Student body
Pell grant recipients
19%
18%
First-generation students
26%
22%
International students
12%
9%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Nov 15
Early action
Nov 1
Not reported
Regular decision
Jan 4
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 Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Williams College harder to get into?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is harder to get into. It admits about 5% of applicants, compared with 8% at Williams 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, Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Williams College?
Williams College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $17,716 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $20,111 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 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 Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Williams College?
Before aid, Massachusetts Institute of Technology costs about $82,730 a year and Williams College about $84,860. 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, Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Williams College?
Williams College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $-2,610 there, against about $-2,533 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Williams College?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is the larger of the two, with about 4,535 undergraduates against 2,076 at Williams College.
Does Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Williams College have a better graduation rate?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology has the higher graduation rate, at about 96% against 95% at Williams College.
Do graduates of Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Williams College earn more?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology alumni earn more on average: a median of about $143,372 ten years after enrolling, against about $88,665 for Williams College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Williams College require SAT or ACT scores?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology requires SAT or ACT scores. Williams College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Williams College look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1520–1580 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology 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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1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school