Head-to-Head Comparison
Boston University vs Williams College
- Boston Wins
- 15
- Tied
- 18
- Williams Wins
- 21
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Williams College offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $17,716 vs Boston University's $24,402, Williams College delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Williams College's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Boston
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
Williams
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $88,665 ten years after enrollment, 7% more than Boston University
- Lower cost: Average net price of $17,716, roughly $6,686 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 95% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $12,761, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 8% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Boston graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (16% of degrees); Williams in Social Sciences (24%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick Williams College over Boston University. Median earnings of $88,665 ten years after enrollment vs $83,238.
Pick Williams College over Boston University. Net price $17,716 vs $24,402.
Pick Boston University over Williams College. 2% mobility rate vs 1%.
Pick Williams College over Boston University. 95% completion rate vs 89%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Boston University and Williams College are close on paper, but Williams College wins the head-to-head, leading on 5 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Williams College is the harder admit. It takes 8% of applicants, while Boston University takes 11%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,480 to 1,533.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Williams College sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, Williams College comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $17,716, about $6,686 a year below Boston University's $24,402. Graduates of Williams College also borrow less: median debt of $12,761, against $23,250.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $26,744 before any change in aid. Choosing Williams College leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Williams College graduates report median earnings of $88,665, compared with $83,238 at Boston University. That is a 7% advantage. Set against borrowing, Williams College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.14x to 0.28x.
So what: An earnings gap of 7% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Finishing the degree
Williams College graduates a larger share of its students, 95% versus 89%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 6% is a risk measure. Students at the school with the lower rate face higher odds of leaving with debt and no degree, the most expensive outcome in higher education.
Moving people up
Boston University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2%; at Williams College, it is 1%. Boston University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 4% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 3.2%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Boston University offers the stronger statistical shot at reaching the top of the income distribution. The gap is wide enough to weigh in any access-minded decision.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Williams College to keep costs and debt down; pick Boston University if upward mobility and access matter most.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 6 of 6 core signals used here, so every comparison above matches reported data against reported data.
Counterintuitive Insights
Williams College is harder to get into, with a 8% admit rate, but Boston University posts the higher mobility rate, at 2%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Their academic identities diverge. Boston University concentrates enrollment in Business & Marketing, Communications, while Williams College leans toward Computer Science & IT, Visual & Performing Arts. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $24,402 runs well above Williams College's $17,716.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $23,250, against $12,761 at Williams College.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Boston University's enrollment, and Williams College is stronger here.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Boston University's enrollment of 18,248 far exceeds Williams College's 2,076.
- Business and consulting-track students: Williams College has less business program depth, and Boston University offers the stronger options.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Williams holds onto its admits more tightly: 42% of admitted students enroll, versus 35% at Boston — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Both reward applying early, but the binding round pays off more at Boston (31.3% Early Decision admit rate vs 26.6%). Early Decision is binding, so it only makes sense if the school is a clear first choice. Test scores matter less at Boston, where only about 46% of enrolled freshmen submitted any SAT or ACT.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 6 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Research (Times HE) 4 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Boston University
Boston, MA · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 11%, Boston University is a great fit for motivated students who are ready to engage with a vibrant urban campus. It's an appealing choice for those interested in Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, Communications, Biology & Biomedical, or Computer Science & IT. The school’s diverse offerings attract students who are eager to explore various disciplines and prepare for dynamic careers.
After graduation, students from Boston University can expect to earn an impressive average of $83,238 within a decade. This means graduates are stepping into solid financial footing relatively quickly, which is encouraging for those considering their return on investment. With a graduation rate of 89%, it shows that students not only enroll but also successfully complete their degrees, paving the way for upward mobility in their careers.
When it comes to the practical side of financing your education, the net price after aid stands at approximately $24,402, which is manageable for many families. The median debt for graduates is $23,250, a figure that many could navigate effectively post-graduation. Students who thrive here tend to be those who are ready to take advantage of Boston’s resources and connections, ultimately setting themselves up for successful futures.
Williams College
Williamstown, MA · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 8%, Williams College tends to attract highly motivated students who are ready to engage deeply in their studies. This school is ideal for those interested in social sciences, computer science, biology, physical sciences, and mathematics. The small enrollment of just over 2,000 students creates an intimate learning environment where personalized attention from faculty is the norm. It’s a place where students can explore their passions and develop critical thinking skills that are essential for success.
Looking at what graduates achieve, the earnings after ten years stand at an impressive $88,665. This number reflects the strong career pathways that Williams alumni typically follow. Graduates often find themselves in rewarding positions that not only offer financial stability but also align with their academic interests. The combination of a high graduation rate at 95% and a reasonable net price of $17,716 makes it a compelling choice for students who want to make a lasting impact in their fields.
When considering the cost, students generally graduate with a median debt of $12,761, which is manageable for the earning potential they have after leaving. This financial landscape makes Williams accessible to a diverse group of students, including those who qualify for Pell Grants at a rate of 18%. Students who thrive here are often those who seek a rigorous academic challenge and value the close-knit community, ready to invest in their future while embracing the support that comes with it.
Rankings They Appear On
Boston University is featured on the Best Communications Colleges in Massachusetts ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Boston's top program is Business Administration (16% of enrollment), while Williams leads with Sociology (24%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Boston) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Williams).
The two schools feed different job markets. Boston University is strongest in Business & Marketing, Communications, while Williams College concentrates in Computer Science & IT, Visual & Performing Arts. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Boston University or Williams College?
Williams College is harder to get into, admitting 8% of applicants compared with 11% at Boston University.
Which is more affordable, Boston University or Williams College?
Williams College is more affordable, with an average net price of $17,716 after aid versus $24,402 at Boston University.
Do Boston University or Williams College graduates earn more?
Williams College graduates earn more: median earnings of $88,665 ten years after enrollment, versus $83,238 at Boston University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Boston University or Williams College?
Williams College has the higher graduation rate, 95% versus 89%.
Boston University vs Williams College: which is better for social mobility?
Boston University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 2% versus 1%.
Should you choose Boston University or Williams College?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Williams College if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Boston University if upward mobility and access to low-income students matter most. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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