About Williams College

Founded in 1793, Williams College. is a Private college. Located in Massachusetts, which is a city setting in Massachusetts, the campus itself is Town. The campus is home to 2,093 full time undergraduate students, and 57 full time graduate students.

The Williams College Academic calendar runs on a Four-one-four plan basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 6:1. There are 299 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Williams College include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate17%
Application Deadline10-Nov
Application Fee65
SAT Range1330-1540
ACT Range31-34

Admissions at are considered Most Selective, with ,23% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 8 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

100% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 97% were in the top quarter, and 92% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Williams College.

11%
“We”re apathetic”
40%
“We know about current events and vote”
44%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
5%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
4%
“We save it for the classroom”
14%
“Sometimes, but not often”
46%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
36%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
14%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
86%
“I feel extremely safe”
3%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
59%
“We bought the gear”
38%
“We live for the big game”
1%
“It”s not really our thing”
26%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
57%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
16%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
2%
“Available in class”
41%
“They keep regular office hours”
58%
“They”re always available”
100%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
0%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
0%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
0%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
3%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
77%
“We only party on weekends”
21%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
9%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
70%
“There might be people who do”
20%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
1%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
11%
“We”re apathetic”
40%
“We know about current events and vote”
44%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
5%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
4%
“We save it for the classroom”
14%
“Sometimes, but not often”
46%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
36%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
14%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
86%
“I feel extremely safe”
3%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
59%
“We bought the gear”
38%
“We live for the big game”
1%
“It”s not really our thing”
26%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
57%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
16%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
2%
“Available in class”
41%
“They keep regular office hours”
58%
“They”re always available”
100%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
0%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
0%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
0%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
3%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
77%
“We only party on weekends”
21%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
9%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
70%
“There might be people who do”
20%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
1%
“There”s a huge drug scene”

Williams College REVIEWS

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  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    44 Students rated on-campus housing 4.3 stars. 45 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    25 Students rated off-campus housing 2.9 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    45 Students rated campus food 4.1 stars. 31 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    45 Students rated campus facilities 4.5 stars. 60 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    45 Students rated class size 4.8 stars. 82 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    43 Students rated school activities 4.4 stars. 53 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    44 Students rated local services 3.3 stars. 11 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    45 Students rated academics 4.5 stars. 64 % gave the school a 5.0.

What's your overall opinion of Williams College?

7 Students rated Williams College

Alexia - 12/24/2022

I love Williams. People are friendly (to the point that they put down their phone and take out the AirPods if someone is approaching), they are smart, they are inclusive. My sister goes to a much, much larger university and has found few activities in which to participate. My problem is that there are so many activities, I just don't have time to participate in them all. My professors all know me by first name and care about my success. It is a supportive, collaborative environment. The academics are tough and the work load is quite heavy, but worth it if you're planning on pursuing grade school.

Mauro

Never underestimate the power of a liberal arts education. The 7:1 student to professor ratio is great to engage the material being taught. Also, the high-quality professors here make this a unique educational experience I cannot imagine receiving anywhere else. On top of that, the social scene is great. It's small enough to feel like a small community yet it still retains the ability for students to explore new friend groups.

hallie

A very challenging academic schedule with all the support available for help. Athletics are very popular and many, many other club opportunities. So much to do, no time to sleep. Class size is ideal for those who want one on one with professors. It is a pleasure to be around students and professors that love to learn and teach.

Tiffani

Williams College is a rigorous and challenging school, but it is doable. It the type of school that will teach you the meaning of being an independent and unique individual. You will meet others who have come from different or similar educational backgrounds as you, but will come to find that intellect is not something that will make you distinct amongst your peers. It may make you distinct in the classes, given how challenging they tend to be, and how small they are, as Williams wants to make each experience unique for each of it's students, but you quickly learn that isn't everything. Williams will make you confront yourself and make you really think and wonder what about yourself is so unique. What makes you, you. How well do you know yourself? You will be asking yourself these questions as you learn more about yourself and find who you are as a person. Williams is a challenging school but it is a school that will make you question and confront on who you are.

Williams College FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at Williams College?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Williams College is 17%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.

  2. What is your overall opinion of this school?

    Williams is located in a small, rural town in Western Massachusetts nestled in "purple mountains." The location gets a lot of bright students. The best thing about Williams its its individualized experience. The school is so small (about 2,000 students) that its hard for anyone who may be struggling to get left behind. The administration is extremely supportive and often responsive to the needs of both individuals and student groups. The negative for some students is that a small school like Williams isn't as familiar to the average American. And, of course, during the most stressful times of the year, the campus can seem too small! One can easily become ignorant to the current events in the rest of the world if he or she chooses. It's common for a student to feel a love/hate relationship with the small town, but love always comes out on top. The scenery, of course, is breathtaking during the fall and spring.

    Read all  107 answers
  3. Describe the students at your school.

    Athletic, wealthy, New England / New York / California, strong personalities, intelligent

    Read all  104 answers
  4. Is the stereotype of students at your school accurate?

    Well, to get into a top school, EVERYONE is smart, just that one's perspective is skewed when everyone else is so amazing. Just believe in yourself and go hang out, and with that, you'll get to know more people and see if they're just cordial or not. Clearly, not all people can be varsity sports players.

    Read all  101 answers
  5. What is the stereotype of students at your school?

    preppy nerdy rich ambivalent to politics/social issues jocky

    Read all  100 answers
  6. What are the academics like at your school?

    Unless you are taking a large lecture class, the classes at Williams are generally not larger than 30 students (this would be too large for a class in my major's department of English). We are very fortunate in this respect. It is difficult for a student to be "invisible" in a class, and professors also expect a lot of participation in and preparation for seminars. Students are generally not outwardly competitive with one another.

    Read all  100 answers
  7. What are the most popular student activities/groups?

    Students use their extracurricular groups and their close friends for the majority of the fun on weekends. A club or a group of friends (the two often overlap!) find activities to do with one another: The nightlife at Williams is very quiet. There are a few bars in town, and there is usually one party per weekend (on average--there may be more depending on the point in the semester), but it is difficult to tell when any of these endeavors will be well-attended. Students usually hang out with their dorm mates, watch movies or attend the late night dining hall. Again, without friends your weekends will be lonely, but with them, you'll have a great time.

    Read all  98 answers
  8. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    What sets Williams apart in my mind is the balance that most students have between athletics and academics. The overwhelming majority of students on campus participate in a sport, either varsity or club. Due to the fact that the school is academically rigorous, these students need to learn how to balance their academics with their athletics. This is a desirable college situation because life is all about balance, and learning how to balance two major aspects of life in college will be beneficial in "the real world" once outside of the comfortable college bubble.

    Read all  70 answers
  9. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    Talk to multiple students/alumni of said school. A diversity of opinion is best. Student should try and have some idea of what he or she is really looking for.

    Read all  44 answers
  10. What's unique about your campus?

    Ironically (considering my most frustrating thing that I listed), I would say the intellectual atmosphere. That's not to say there aren't some frustrating and non-progressive-thinking people here. But, since my school is a liberal arts college, the arts and abstract thought, concepts that are important to your daily life as a human being of intellect and character, are focused on. At the same time, being a liberal arts college doesn't mean the exclusion of the sciences and mathematics either. Many of the professors are fantastic. Lastly, the discussion is always progressive and forward looking.

    Read all  12 answers
  11. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    Williams College is accepting and nurturing of all types of individuals. However, I would say that those who are not willing to jump headfirst into their education and take advantage of all the opportunities available, both in and out of the classroom, will not reap the benefits of a Williams experience.

    Read all  12 answers
  12. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    The college itself is academically rigorous, respected, and very solid preparation for future careers either in academia or in "the real world"--but the great people who attend and brilliant people who teach at Williams also prioritize having a well-balanced life that includes both work and play; the result is a campus atmosphere that is passionate, intense, and highly intellectual.

    Read all  11 answers
  13. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    The worst thing is probably the ignorance of a large part of the campus about diversity issues. Most of the students are fairly well-to-do, if not rich, and they have trouble understanding backgrounds that are different from theirs.

    Read all  11 answers
  14. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    Can't think of anything frustrating.

    Read all  7 answers
  15. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    I wish I had a better understanding for how academically rigorous the school was. The professors are excellent, but really demand a lot from the students.

    Read all  7 answers
  16. What kind of person should attend this school?

    Athlete. Smart. Driven. Enjoys small rural campus and community.

    Read all  5 answers
  17. Why did you decide to go to this school?

    One of the biggest pulls for me was the entry system. I didn't fully understand it, but it sounded too good to be true at the time. It started to make sense as the year progressed (see my other posts for more on the entry system and JAs...as an incoming JA, I'm kind of obsessed with it). I took the campus tour on a beautiful day and the experience was just amazing. Everyone I interacted with was friendly and seemed to love being at Williams. Everything about the place just seemed to click for me. I also didn't have much of a clue as to what I wanted to do with my life, or even what I wanted to major it, so Liberal Arts was the way to go for me. The core curriculum seemed really flexible which helped in that respect, too. Some people think that most students who decide to go to Williams are Ivy League rejects, but actually somewhere around 40{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of every freshman class is accepted Early Decision. I did not apply Early Decision and didn't get in to the one Ivy League school I applied to, but I honestly would have chosen Williams either way.

    Read all  5 answers
  18. What is the stereotype of students at your school? Is this stereotype accurate?

    Lots of people think of Williams as a bizarre mixture of nerds and jocks. I'd say that most Ephs really like to get outdoors, but they also know the value of working hard.

    Read all  5 answers
  19. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    tutorials, liberal arts education

    Read all  4 answers
  20. Describe the dorms.

    Dorms are ... college. Like any other place, they are relatively small. Some are bigger than others, but the standard dorm room is rather petite. It provides incentive for students to study in the library or do things outside of their rooms.

    Read all  4 answers
  21. When you step off campus what do you see?

    The area around Williams

    Read all  4 answers

Student Body

Students

49%

female

51%

male

2,093

Total Undergrad Enrollment

57

Total Grad Students

78%

Out-Of-State

12%

In-State

10%

International

Organizations

117

Student Organizations

N/A

Fraternities

N/A

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

90%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
N/A
% Asian/Pacific Islander
13%
% Black or African-American
7%
% Hispanic/Latino
12%
% White or Caucasian
53%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

60% of students attending Williams College receive some sort of financial aid. 22% were awarded federal grants. While 21% received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$51,790

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$800

Books and Supplies

$13,690

Room and Board

66,280

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$1,910
$30 - $48K
$3,871
$48 - $75K
$10,448
$75 - $110K
$19,245
$110K & UP
$42,003

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

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