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)
- Econometrics & Quantitative Economics (23%)
- Psychology (11%)
- English (11%)
- Biology (10%)
- 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.