About

About Williams College

liberal arts collegehighly selective admissionssmall class sizeslow student faculty ratio

Williams College is a private liberal arts college in Williamstown, MA, known for its liberal arts college, highly selective admissions, and small class sizes. With an acceptance rate of 8%, Williams is one of the most selective colleges in the United States, typically enrolling around 577 students each year. Williams is test optional; students who submit scores are typically admitted with SATs between 1490–1550, though many competitive applicants choose not to submit. Williams meets 100% of demonstrated financial need and has replaced loans with grants.

Admissions

Williams College acceptance rate and admitted student profile

one of the most selective colleges in the United States

9%
Overall Accept Rate
3.75
Typical Admitted GPA
1520
Median Admitted SAT
SATSubmitted score range: 1490 – 1550 (test optional)

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ACTScore range: 33 – 35

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ED advantage at Williams College: ED acceptance rate is 27% vs 9% regular decision, more than double. If Williams Collegeis your first choice and you've confirmed the financial fit, Early Decision is one of the highest-leverage decisions you can make.

Application Strategy

Strategy tips for applying to Williams College

The first 2 tips apply to all applicants. Your personalized strategy requires your profile — build your free list to unlock it.

Essay Strategy
Williams is one of the only schools in the country built around the Oxford-style tutorial system, where two students debate ideas one-on-one with a professor. Reference this model specifically in your essays and explain how your intellectual curiosity and willingness to defend ideas aloud makes you a strong fit for that environment.
Test Score Strategy
Williams is test-optional and fills its class with applicants who shine in other areas, so if your score falls below the middle range of admitted students, leave it off your application entirely and let your transcript and essays carry the weight.

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Financial Aid & Cost

What Williams College actually costs your family

Average net prices by income bracket from College Scorecard data.

Loan-free financial aid: Williams College has replaced all loans with grants. Williams College's sticker price of ~$78k/year bears almost no resemblance to what most families pay.
Family IncomeSticker PriceEst. Net Cost / yr
75k-110k~$78k/yr$3.0k
110k+~$78k/yr$49.6k

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Outcomes & Campus

Student outcomes and campus profile

97%
6-Year Graduation Rate
$72k
Median Earnings (6 yrs)
6:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
2,259
Undergrad Enrollment
Williams College Acceptance Rate & Admissions | SpearMatch