Williams College vs Wellesley College
Williams College and Wellesley College, both esteemed liberal arts institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Williams, located in Williamstown, Massachusetts, boasts a slightly higher acceptance rate (13.6%) compared to Wellesley's 20.3%. While Williams has a more balanced gender ratio, Wellesley is a women's college, fostering a unique and empowering environment. In terms of popular majors, Williams students often pursue Economics, English, and Political Science, while Wellesley students frequently choose Biological Sciences, Psychology, and Economics. Both colleges boast impressive graduation rates, with Williams at 96% and Wellesley at 94%. To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table highlighting key differences between these two exceptional institutions. Dive in to discover which college aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Wellesley College |
![]() Williams College |
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Overview |
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Location | Wellesley, Massachusetts | Williamstown, Massachusetts |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | 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 | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 97.0% | 97.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 16.2% | 8.8% |
Application fees | $65 | |
SAT range | 1400 - 1540 | N/A |
ACT range | 31 - 34 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 36.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 23.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 7,663 | 12,452 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,240 | 1,099 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 606 | 574 |
Yield rate | 48.9% | 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 | $64,602 | $78,060 |
Average net price | $21,862 | $14,487 |
Tuition | $60,424 | $59,350 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$9,704
Meal plan:
$8,584
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Room/dormitory:
$7,625
Meal plan:
$7,375
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
60.0%
Average amount $55,483 |
52.0%
Average amount $52,053 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
13.0%
Average amount $3,993 |
13.0%
Average amount $3,992 |
Students taking out private loans |
13.0%
Average amount $5,043 |
2.0%
Average amount $3,884 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
2,461
Men 1.2% Women 98.8% |
2,174
Men 48.1% Women 51.9% |
Graduate students | N/A |
50
Men 44.0% Women 56.0% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | 13.8% | 9.8% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | Town: Fringe |
Dormitory capacity | 2,211 | 2,045 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | Yes |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 8:1 | 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 | 92.1% | 93.8% |
Dropout rate | 7.8% | 3.1% |
Transferred out | N/A | 1.6% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Area Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Bachelor's Degrees)
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Software and Media Applications (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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