Head-to-Head Comparison
Clemson University vs Williams College
- Clemson Wins
- 9
- Tied
- 18
- Williams Wins
- 27
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Williams College offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $17,716 vs Clemson University's $22,253, 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
Clemson
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1.2%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
Williams
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $88,665 ten years after enrollment, 24% more than Clemson University
- Lower cost: Average net price of $17,716, roughly $4,537 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?
Clemson graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (26% 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 Clemson University. Median earnings of $88,665 ten years after enrollment vs $71,513.
Pick Williams College over Clemson University. Net price $17,716 vs $22,253.
Pick Clemson University over Williams College. 1.2% mobility rate vs 1%.
Pick Williams College over Clemson University. 95% completion rate vs 87%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Clemson 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 Clemson University takes 38%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,353 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 $4,537 a year below Clemson University's $22,253. Graduates of Williams College also borrow less: median debt of $12,761, against $21,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $18,148 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 $71,513 at Clemson University. That is a 24% advantage. Set against borrowing, Williams College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.14x to 0.3x.
So what: An earnings gap of 24% 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 87%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 8% 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
Clemson University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 1.2%; at Williams College, it is 1%. Williams College also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 3.2% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 3.2%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Clemson 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 Clemson 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 Clemson University posts the higher mobility rate, at 1.2%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Their academic identities diverge. Clemson University concentrates enrollment in Business & Marketing, Engineering, 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 $22,253 runs well above Williams College's $17,716.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $21,500, against $12,761 at Williams College.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Clemson University's enrollment, and Williams College is stronger here.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Clemson University's enrollment of 23,300 far exceeds Williams College's 2,076.
- Engineering-focused students: Clemson University has the stronger engineering programs.
- Business and consulting-track students: Williams College has less business program depth, and Clemson 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 21% at Clemson — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Williams offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Clemson does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there.
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
Clemson University
Clemson, SC · Public
Clemson University is a great fit for students who seek a strong sense of community and a variety of academic paths. With around 23,300 undergraduates, there’s a vibrant campus life, and the acceptance rate of 38% means it’s selective but still accessible for many. Students frequently dive into programs like Business & Marketing, Engineering, and Biology & Biomedical, which are well-regarded and align with industry needs.
Looking ahead, graduates from Clemson can expect promising outcomes. The average earnings a decade after graduation sit at $71,513, which reflects the value of their education in real-world terms. While the affordability of higher education continues to be a concern, Clemson’s net price after aid is around $22,253, making it a reasonable option for many families. This financial aspect is crucial, especially when considering long-term financial mobility.
On a practical level, students here graduate with a median debt of $21,500, which is manageable given their earning potential. Those who thrive at Clemson tend to be proactive and engaged, taking advantage of both educational and extracurricular opportunities. With a graduation rate of 87%, it’s clear that many find their stride and succeed in completing their degrees, setting them up for a bright future.
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
Clemson University is featured on the Best Colleges in South Carolina ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Clemson's top program is Business Administration (26% of enrollment), while Williams leads with Sociology (24%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Clemson) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Williams).
The two schools feed different job markets. Clemson University is strongest in Business & Marketing, Engineering, 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 Clemson University or Williams College?
Williams College is harder to get into, admitting 8% of applicants compared with 38% at Clemson University.
Which is more affordable, Clemson University or Williams College?
Williams College is more affordable, with an average net price of $17,716 after aid versus $22,253 at Clemson University.
Do Clemson University or Williams College graduates earn more?
Williams College graduates earn more: median earnings of $88,665 ten years after enrollment, versus $71,513 at Clemson University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Clemson University or Williams College?
Williams College has the higher graduation rate, 95% versus 87%.
Clemson University vs Williams College: which is better for social mobility?
Clemson University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1.2% versus 1%.
Should you choose Clemson University or Williams College?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Williams College if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Clemson 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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