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Wellesley College vs Williams College

Wellesley College is a private college in Wellesley, 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 14% at Wellesley College. Williams College is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $17,716 a year against $25,496 at Wellesley College. About 95% of students graduate at Williams College, compared with 91% at Wellesley College. Ten years after enrolling, Williams College alumni earn a median of about $88,665, against $84,803 for Wellesley College.

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Wellesley College

Wellesley, MA · Private

Williams College

Williamstown, MA · Private
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
Wellesley, MA
Williamstown, MA
Setting
Suburban
Suburban
Undergraduates
2,300
2,076
Acceptance rate
14%
8%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.52–4
3.54–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1460–1560
1490–1570
ACT (middle 50%)
33–35
34–35
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$25,496
$17,716
Full cost / yr
$86,290
$84,860
In-state tuition
$67,176
$68,560
Out-of-state tuition
$67,176
$68,560
Application fee
$0
$65
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$2,546
$0*
$30k - $48k
$2,836
$0*
$48k - $75k
$6,587
$0*
$75k - $110k
$11,551
$3,030
Over $110k
$54,188
$49,594
Outcomes
Graduation rate
91%
95%
Freshman retention
97%
97%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$65,961
$71,754
Median earnings (10 yr)
$84,803
$88,665
Median debt at graduation
$10,000
$12,761
Student body
Pell grant recipients
21%
18%
First-generation students
17%
22%
International students
13%
9%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 1
Nov 15
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Jan 8
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 Wellesley College or Williams College harder to get into?
Williams College is harder to get into. It admits about 8% of applicants, compared with 14% at Wellesley 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, Wellesley College or Williams College?
Williams College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $17,716 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $25,496 at Wellesley 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 Wellesley College and Williams College?
Before aid, Williams College costs about $84,860 a year and Wellesley College about $86,290. 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, Wellesley College or Williams College?
Williams College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $-2,610 there, against about $2,546 at Wellesley College. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Wellesley College or Williams College?
Wellesley College is the larger of the two, with about 2,300 undergraduates against 2,076 at Williams College.
Does Wellesley College or Williams College have a better graduation rate?
Williams College has the higher graduation rate, at about 95% against 91% at Wellesley College.
Do graduates of Wellesley 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 $84,803 for Wellesley College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Wellesley College and Williams College require SAT or ACT scores?
Wellesley 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 Wellesley College and Williams College look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1460–1560 at Wellesley 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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1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school