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Mount Holyoke College vs Williams College

Mount Holyoke College is a private college in South Hadley, MA. Williams College is a private college in Williamstown, MA. Williams College admits about 8% of applicants and Mount Holyoke College about 36%, 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 $26,441 at Mount Holyoke College. About 95% of students graduate at Williams College, compared with 85% at Mount Holyoke College. Ten years after enrolling, Williams College alumni earn a median of about $88,665, against $58,418 for Mount Holyoke College.

Mount Holyoke College

South Hadley, MA · Private

Williams College

Williamstown, MA · Private
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
South Hadley, MA
Williamstown, MA
Setting
Suburban
Suburban
Undergraduates
2,169
2,076
Acceptance rate
36%
8%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.5–4
3.54–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1380–1530
1490–1570
ACT (middle 50%)
32–35
34–35
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$26,441
$17,716
Full cost / yr
$84,926
$84,860
In-state tuition
$67,018
$68,560
Out-of-state tuition
$67,018
$68,560
Application fee
$60
$65
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$10,882
$0*
$30k - $48k
$9,526
$0*
$48k - $75k
$17,394
$0*
$75k - $110k
$24,247
$3,030
Over $110k
$38,561
$49,594
Outcomes
Graduation rate
85%
95%
Freshman retention
89%
97%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$48,590
$71,754
Median earnings (10 yr)
$58,418
$88,665
Median debt at graduation
$22,902
$12,761
Student body
Pell grant recipients
22%
18%
First-generation students
19%
22%
International students
20%
9%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 15
Nov 15
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Jan 15
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 Mount Holyoke College or Williams College harder to get into?
Williams College is harder to get into. It admits about 8% of applicants, compared with 36% at Mount Holyoke 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, Mount Holyoke College or Williams College?
Williams College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $17,716 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $26,441 at Mount Holyoke 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 Mount Holyoke College and Williams College?
Before aid, Williams College costs about $84,860 a year and Mount Holyoke College about $84,926. 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, Mount Holyoke College or Williams College?
Williams College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $-2,610 there, against about $10,882 at Mount Holyoke College. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Mount Holyoke College or Williams College?
Mount Holyoke College is the larger of the two, with about 2,169 undergraduates against 2,076 at Williams College.
Does Mount Holyoke College or Williams College have a better graduation rate?
Williams College has the higher graduation rate, at about 95% against 85% at Mount Holyoke College.
Do graduates of Mount Holyoke 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 $58,418 for Mount Holyoke College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Mount Holyoke College and Williams College require SAT or ACT scores?
Mount Holyoke 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 Mount Holyoke College and Williams College look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1380–1530 at Mount Holyoke College and 1490–1570 at Williams College. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

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