Williams College vs Brown University
Williams College and Brown University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences to their students. Williams, nestled in the picturesque Berkshires of Massachusetts, boasts a lower acceptance rate and a smaller student body, fostering a close-knit community. Brown, located in the vibrant city of Providence, Rhode Island, offers a more diverse student body and a wider range of academic programs, including popular majors like computer science and engineering. While both colleges share a commitment to academic excellence, their unique characteristics may appeal to different types of students. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to discover more about the acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates of these two prestigious institutions, and determine which one aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Brown University |
![]() Williams College |
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Overview |
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Location | Providence, Rhode Island | Williamstown, Massachusetts |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | Town: Fringe |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | 4-1-4 |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 98.0% | 97.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 5.5% | 8.8% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$75
Graduate:
$75
|
$65 |
SAT range | 1460 - 1570 | N/A |
ACT range | 33 - 35 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 51.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 30.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 46,568 | 12,452 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,568 | 1,099 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,705 | 574 |
Yield rate | 66.4% | 52.2% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $82,570 | $78,060 |
Average net price | $25,028 | $14,487 |
Tuition | $60,944 | $59,350 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$10,054
Meal plan:
$6,292
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Room/dormitory:
$7,625
Meal plan:
$7,375
|
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
46.0%
Average amount $55,420 |
52.0%
Average amount $52,053 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
9.0%
Average amount $5,159 |
13.0%
Average amount $3,992 |
Students taking out private loans |
2.0%
Average amount $27,008 |
2.0%
Average amount $3,884 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
7,349
Men 48.1% Women 51.9% |
2,174
Men 48.1% Women 51.9% |
Graduate students |
3,347
Men 50.0% Women 50.0% |
50
Men 44.0% Women 56.0% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Moderate
|
Out-of-state students | 96.5% | N/A |
International students | 18.6% | 9.8% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | Town: Fringe |
Dormitory capacity | 5,013 | 2,045 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | Yes | Yes |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | New York California Mississippi New Jersey Texas | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 6:1 | 6:1 |
Institutional accreditation | New England Commission on Higher Education | New England Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 95.8% | 93.8% |
Dropout rate | 3.7% | 3.1% |
Transferred out | N/A | 1.6% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Applied Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Public Policy Analysis (Master's Degrees)
Medicine (First Professional Degrees)
International Relations and National Security Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Area Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
History (Bachelor's Degrees)
Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Chemistry (Bachelor's Degrees)
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