Williams College vs Wesleyan University

Williams College and Wesleyan University, both esteemed liberal arts institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Williams, nestled in the picturesque Berkshires of Massachusetts, boasts a lower acceptance rate (12.6%) compared to Wesleyan's (17.5%) in Middletown, Connecticut. While Williams students predominantly pursue majors in the social sciences, Wesleyan students lean towards the natural sciences. Wesleyan's student body is slightly more diverse, with international students comprising 13% of the population compared to Williams' 10%. Both institutions boast impressive graduation rates, with Williams at 96% and Wesleyan at 94%. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more distinctions and determine which college aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Wesleyan University	Williams College
Overview
Location	Middletown, Connecticut	Williamstown, Massachusetts
Campus setting	City: Small	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	95.0%	97.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	19.4%	8.8%
Application fees	$55	$65
SAT range	1300 - 1510	N/A
ACT range	31 - 34	N/A
Students submitting SAT score	51.0%
Students submitting ACT score	27.0%
Total number of applicants	13,067	12,452
Total number of admissions given out	2,540	1,099
Admitted students who chose to enroll	910	574
Yield rate	35.8%	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)	Required	Not required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$82,245	$78,060
Average net price	$20,535	$14,487
Tuition	$61,449	$59,350
Room & board	$17,531	Room/dormitory: $7,625 Meal plan: $7,375
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	40.0% Average amount $58,925	52.0% Average amount $52,053
Students receiving federal student loan	18.0% Average amount $3,834	13.0% Average amount $3,992
Students taking out private loans	2.0% Average amount $27,881	2.0% Average amount $3,884

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	3,385 Men 43.8% Women 56.2%	2,174 Men 48.1% Women 51.9%
Graduate students	196 Men 42.3% Women 57.7%	50 Men 44.0% Women 56.0%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Moderate
Out-of-state students	90.3%	N/A
International students	11.3%	9.8%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	Town: Fringe
Dormitory capacity	3,063	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 Connecticut New Jersey Pennsylvania	N/A

Academics
Popular study areas	Social Sciences Psychology Ethnic Studies Visual & Performing Arts Physical Science	Mathematics and Statistics Visual & Performing Arts Social Sciences Foreign Languages and Literatures Ethnic Studies
Students to faculty ratio	8:1	6:1
Institutional accreditation	New England Commission on Higher Education	New England Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	91.0%	93.8%
Dropout rate	3.6%	3.1%
Transferred out	5.3%	1.6%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $53,775 Year 3: $53,847 Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $38,232 Year 2: $36,334 Year 3: $45,541	Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $109,470 Year 2: $96,183 Year 3: $99,047 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $83,280 Year 2: $76,460 Year 3: $91,723 Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $55,217 Year 2: $53,358 Year 3: $63,034 Area Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $37,948 Year 2: $44,384 Year 3: $48,967 History (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $40,036 Year 2: $49,464 Year 3: $44,771 Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $25,993 Year 2: $38,289 Year 3: $43,402 English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $30,135 Year 2: $40,461 Year 3: $41,065 Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $40,760 Year 2: $34,704 Year 3: $37,587 Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $41,029 Year 2: $33,993 Year 3: $26,432 Chemistry (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $35,668 Year 2: $25,525 Year 3: $14,771

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key academic differences between Williams College and Wesleyan University?

Williams College is known for its strong emphasis on undergraduate education and a highly structured curriculum, particularly in the humanities and social sciences. It offers a tutorial system that provides intensive, individualized instruction. Wesleyan University, on the other hand, has a more flexible curriculum with a wider range of interdisciplinary programs and a greater emphasis on student-designed majors. Wesleyan also has a stronger focus on the arts and a more politically active student body.
How do the campus cultures of Williams and Wesleyan compare?

Williams College has a more traditional and academically focused campus culture, with a strong emphasis on community and close-knit relationships. It's located in a more rural setting, which contributes to its sense of isolation and focus on campus life. Wesleyan University has a more diverse and socially active campus culture, known for its progressive values, artistic expression, and a more urban feel. It has a more open and less structured social environment.
What are the strengths of the faculty at Williams and Wesleyan?

Both Williams and Wesleyan boast highly qualified and dedicated faculty. Williams is known for its faculty's commitment to undergraduate teaching and its tutorial system, which allows for close interaction between students and professors. Wesleyan's faculty is known for its scholarly research, its interdisciplinary approach, and its engagement with social and political issues. Wesleyan also has a strong emphasis on the arts, with many faculty members being practicing artists.
How do the locations of Williams and Wesleyan differ?

Williams College is located in Williamstown, Massachusetts, a small, rural town in the Berkshire Mountains. This location provides a beautiful setting for outdoor activities and a close-knit community feel, but it can feel isolated. Wesleyan University is located in Middletown, Connecticut, a city with a more diverse population and a wider range of cultural and social opportunities. It offers easier access to larger cities like New York and Boston.
What are the financial aid and cost considerations for attending Williams and Wesleyan?

Both Williams and Wesleyan are committed to meeting the full demonstrated financial need of admitted students. Both schools have generous financial aid packages, including need-based grants and scholarships. The overall cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, room, and board, is comparable at both institutions, but the specific financial aid packages will vary based on individual circumstances. It's recommended to use the net price calculators on each school's website to get an estimate of your potential costs.
What are the most popular majors at Williams and Wesleyan?

At Williams, popular majors include Economics, Political Science, English, and History. Wesleyan's most popular majors include Government, Economics, Psychology, and Film Studies. Both schools offer a wide range of majors, and students are encouraged to explore their academic interests.
How do the alumni networks of Williams and Wesleyan compare?

Both Williams and Wesleyan have strong and active alumni networks. Williams' alumni network is known for its loyalty and its strong connections within the business and finance sectors. Wesleyan's alumni network is known for its diversity and its strong presence in the arts, media, and social justice fields. Both networks provide valuable resources for career development and networking.
What are the opportunities for extracurricular activities at Williams and Wesleyan?

Both Williams and Wesleyan offer a wide range of extracurricular activities. Williams has a strong emphasis on athletics, with a competitive Division III sports program. Wesleyan has a vibrant arts scene, with numerous performance groups and art studios. Both schools have a variety of student clubs and organizations, covering a wide range of interests, from academic to social and political.
Which college is better for a student interested in the arts?

Wesleyan University is generally considered to be the stronger choice for students interested in the arts. It has a renowned arts program with a wide range of studios, performance spaces, and faculty expertise. While Williams also offers arts programs, Wesleyan's commitment to the arts is more extensive and integrated into its overall academic and social environment.
Which college is better for a student who prefers a more structured academic environment?

Williams College is generally a better fit for students who prefer a more structured academic environment. Its curriculum is more defined, and its tutorial system provides intensive, individualized instruction. Wesleyan offers more flexibility, which can be appealing to some students, but it may not be the best choice for those who thrive in a more guided setting.

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