Williams College

Overview

Williams College is a private school established back in 1793. As of fall 2023, it has 2,097 undergrads, a rural campus spanning 450 acres, and follows a 4-1-4 academic calendar. In the 2025 Best Colleges rankings, it holds the #1 spot among National Liberal Arts Colleges. Tuition and fees run at $68,560.

At-a-Glance

• Setting: Rural
• Tuition & Fees: $68,560
• Undergrad Enrollment: 2,097
• Acceptance Rate: 10%

Williams College Rankings

See how this school stacks up in other categories:

• #1 in National Liberal Arts Colleges
• #1 in Best Value Schools (Computer Science)
• #26 in Economics (tie)
• #18 in Undergrad Research/Creative Projects (tie)
• #41 in First-Year Experiences (tie)
• #7 in Best Undergraduate Teaching (tie)
• #33 in Most Innovative Schools (tie)
• #13 in Top Performers on Social Mobility

Williams College ranks #1 out of 211 National Liberal Arts Colleges. Rankings are based on widely accepted measures of excellence.

U.S. News Overall Score

• Total Score: 100/100
• Outcomes (52%):
  • Avg. 6-year graduation rate: 96%
  • Pell Grant recipients’ graduation rate: 98%
  • Non-Pell Grant recipients’ graduation rate: 96%

Admissions

Williams has a 10% acceptance rate. Half of admitted students who submitted test scores had:

• SAT: 1470–1560
• ACT: 33–35
  (25% scored above, 25% below these ranges.)
  Deadline: Jan. 8

Admissions heavily weigh GPA, class rank (if available), and recommendation letters.

Admissions Stats

• Application Deadline: Jan. 8
• Application Fee: $65
• Acceptance Rate: 10%

Tuition & Financial Aid

• Tuition & Fees: $68,560 (vs. national avg. of $51,147)
• Total Cost (incl. housing, etc.): $84,860
• Avg. Net Price (after aid): $14,302

Net Price by Family Income (2021–2022)

Income Range	Avg. Cost
$0–$30,000	$4,561
$30,001–$48,000	$1,191
$48,001–$75,000	$3,998
$75,001–$110,000	$12,166
$110,001+	$43,981

• Food & Housing: $17,260

Academics

• Student-Faculty Ratio: 7:1
• 72.6% of classes have <20 students.
• Top Majors: Economics, Psychology, English, Biology, Math, Computer Science, History, Political Science.
• Freshman Retention Rate: 95%

Most Popular Majors (2023 Grads)

1. Econometrics & Quantitative Economics (23%)
2. Psychology (11%)
3. English (11%)
4. Biology (10%)
5. Mathematics (10%)

Student Life

• Total Enrollment (Fall 2023): 2,153
  • Undergrads: 2,097
  • Grad Students: 56
• Gender Distribution: 48.1% male, 51% female
• Housing: 93% on-campus, 7% off-campus
• Athletics: NCAA Division III

Student Body Stats

• Pell Grant Recipients (2022–23): 18%
• Veterans/Active Military: 0.5%

Campus

Services include: Tutoring, daycare, health services, and insurance.
Safety measures: 24/7 patrols, late-night escorts, emergency phones, lighted walkways, student patrols, and secure dorm access. Alcohol is allowed for legal-age students.