Head-to-Head Comparison
Dartmouth College vs Williams College
- Dartmouth Wins
- 19
- Tied
- 18
- Williams Wins
- 17
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Williams College offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Dartmouth College achieves a higher graduation rate (96% vs 95%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $29,519 compared to Williams College's $17,716 for in-state paths. 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
Dartmouth
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $97,434 ten years after enrollment, 10% more than Williams College
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1.4%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- More selective: Admits 5% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Williams
- Lower cost: Average net price of $17,716, roughly $11,803 a year less
- Less debt: Median debt of $12,761, the lower of the two
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Dartmouth graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (24% 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 Dartmouth College over Williams College. Median earnings of $97,434 ten years after enrollment vs $88,665.
Pick Williams College over Dartmouth College. Net price $17,716 vs $29,519.
Pick Dartmouth College over Williams College. 1.4% mobility rate vs 1%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Dartmouth College and Williams College are close on paper, but Dartmouth College wins the head-to-head, leading on 4 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Dartmouth College is the harder admit. It takes 5% of applicants, while Williams College takes 8%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,534 to 1,533.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Dartmouth 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 $11,803 a year below Dartmouth College's $29,519. Graduates of Williams College also borrow less: median debt of $12,761, against $17,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $47,212 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, Dartmouth College graduates report median earnings of $97,434, compared with $88,665 at Williams College. That is a 10% advantage. Set against borrowing, Williams College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.14x to 0.18x.
So what: An earnings gap of 10% 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.
Moving people up
Dartmouth College does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 1.4%; 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 2.8%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Dartmouth College 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 Dartmouth College for the higher earnings ceiling.
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
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. Williams College saves about $11,803 a year, yet Dartmouth College graduates earn $8,769 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Their academic identities diverge. Dartmouth College concentrates enrollment in Engineering, while Williams College leans toward 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 $29,519 runs well above Williams College's $17,716.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $17,500, against $12,761 at Williams College.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Dartmouth College's enrollment, and Williams College is stronger here.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Dartmouth College's enrollment of 4,541 far exceeds Williams College's 2,076.
- Engineering-focused students: Dartmouth College has the stronger engineering programs.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Dartmouth holds onto its admits more tightly: 71% of admitted students enroll, versus 42% at Williams — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Both reward applying early, but the binding round pays off more at Williams (26.6% Early Decision admit rate vs 21.6%). Early Decision is binding, so it only makes sense if the school is a clear first choice. Test scores matter less at Williams, where only about 61% 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
Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 5%, Dartmouth College attracts students who are not only academically gifted but also eager to engage deeply in their studies. The student body, numbering around 4,541, tends to gravitate toward popular fields like Social Sciences, Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, and Biology. This creates a vibrant intellectual community where collaboration and exploration are at the forefront. If you thrive in a competitive environment and are looking for a college experience that emphasizes both rigorous academics and a tight-knit community, Dartmouth might be a good fit for you.
Looking ahead to life after graduation, students from Dartmouth see impressive earnings, averaging $97,434 within ten years of graduating. This financial trajectory speaks volumes about the value of a Dartmouth degree in the job market. Affordability is also a consideration, with a net price of $29,519 after financial aid, making it somewhat accessible for many families. While the Pell Grant rate is relatively low at 14%, those who do receive aid can significantly lessen their financial burden, setting them up for a more secure future.
When it comes to the practicalities, the median debt for graduates is $17,500, which is manageable compared to many institutions. This financial landscape suggests that students who thrive here are often those who are ambitious and ready to engage with both the academic and extracurricular opportunities available. Dartmouth fosters a culture that encourages personal growth and professional success, making it a great place for driven individuals looking to make their mark.
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
Dartmouth College is featured on the Best Colleges in New Hampshire ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Sociology as their top enrolled program field, comprising 24% of Dartmouth's student body and 24% of Williams's.
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Dartmouth) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Williams).
The two schools feed different job markets. Dartmouth College is strongest in Engineering, while Williams College concentrates in 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 Dartmouth College or Williams College?
Dartmouth College is harder to get into, admitting 5% of applicants compared with 8% at Williams College.
Which is more affordable, Dartmouth College or Williams College?
Williams College is more affordable, with an average net price of $17,716 after aid versus $29,519 at Dartmouth College.
Do Dartmouth College or Williams College graduates earn more?
Dartmouth College graduates earn more: median earnings of $97,434 ten years after enrollment, versus $88,665 at Williams College.
Which has a better graduation rate, Dartmouth College or Williams College?
Dartmouth College has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 95%.
Dartmouth College vs Williams College: which is better for social mobility?
Dartmouth College is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1.4% versus 1%.
Should you choose Dartmouth College or Williams College?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Williams College if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Dartmouth College if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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