Head-to-Head Comparison
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus vs Williams College
- Georgia Technology-Main Wins
- 19
- Tied
- 18
- Williams Wins
- 17
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Williams College achieves a higher graduation rate (95% vs 93%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $17,716 compared to Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus's $12,116. Students who choose Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $102,772 at ten years.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Georgia Technology-Main
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $102,772 ten years after enrollment, 16% more than Williams College
- Lower cost: Average net price of $12,116, roughly $5,600 a year less
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1.9%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
Williams
- 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?
Georgia Technology-Main graduates concentrate in Engineering (42% 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 Georgia Institute of Technology over Williams College. Median earnings of $102,772 ten years after enrollment vs $88,665.
Pick Georgia Institute of Technology over Williams College. Net price $12,116 vs $17,716.
Pick Georgia Institute of Technology over Williams College. 1.9% mobility rate vs 1%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Georgia Institute of Technology and Williams College split the core measures almost evenly. Neither comes out a clean winner, so the choice rests on which of these dimensions you care about most.
Getting in
Williams College is the harder admit. It takes 8% of applicants, while Georgia Institute of Technology takes 14%. 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, Georgia Institute of Technology comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $12,116, about $5,600 a year below Williams College's $17,716. Graduates of Williams College also borrow less: median debt of $12,761, against $21,672.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $22,400 before any change in aid. Choosing Georgia Institute of Technology leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Georgia Institute of Technology graduates report median earnings of $102,772, compared with $88,665 at Williams College. That is a 16% advantage. Set against borrowing, Williams College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.14x to 0.21x.
So what: An earnings gap of 16% 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
Georgia Institute of Technology does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 1.9%; at Williams College, it is 1%. Georgia Institute of Technology 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, Georgia Institute of Technology 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 Georgia Institute of Technology to keep costs and debt down.
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 Georgia Institute of Technology posts the higher mobility rate, at 1.9%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Their academic identities diverge. Georgia Institute of Technology concentrates enrollment in Engineering, Business & Marketing, while Williams College leans toward Social Sciences, Visual & Performing Arts. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $21,672, against $12,761 at Williams College.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Georgia Institute of Technology's enrollment of 18,785 far exceeds Williams College's 2,076.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $17,716 runs well above Georgia Institute of Technology's $12,116.
- Engineering-focused students: Georgia Institute of Technology has the stronger engineering programs.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Georgia Technology-Main holds onto its admits more tightly: 46% of admitted students enroll, versus 42% at Williams — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Williams offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Georgia Technology-Main does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there. 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
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Atlanta, GA · Public
Georgia Institute of Technology has an impressive graduation rate of 93%, showcasing its commitment to student success. This high rate indicates that most students not only enroll but also complete their degrees, a critical factor for anyone considering their future at this institution.
Graduates from Georgia Tech see significant financial returns, earning a median salary of $102,772 a decade after finishing their degrees. This strong earning potential underscores the effectiveness of the education provided, particularly in high-demand fields like engineering and computer science. The school plays an important role in enhancing economic mobility, although specific rates for low-income students are not available.
With a net price of $12,116 and a median debt of $21,672, Georgia Tech presents a financially manageable option for many students. Those who thrive here are typically driven, with a focus on STEM fields, and come from diverse backgrounds. The competitive acceptance rate of 14% reflects the school's selectivity, attracting students who are ready to engage in rigorous academic challenges.
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
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus is featured on the Best Public Universities ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Georgia Technology-Main's top program is Mechanical Engineering (42% 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 Georgia Technology-Main) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Williams).
The two schools feed different job markets. Georgia Institute of Technology is strongest in Engineering, Business & Marketing, while Williams College concentrates in Social Sciences, 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 Georgia Institute of Technology or Williams College?
Williams College is harder to get into, admitting 8% of applicants compared with 14% at Georgia Institute of Technology.
Which is more affordable, Georgia Institute of Technology or Williams College?
Georgia Institute of Technology is more affordable, with an average net price of $12,116 after aid versus $17,716 at Williams College.
Do Georgia Institute of Technology or Williams College graduates earn more?
Georgia Institute of Technology graduates earn more: median earnings of $102,772 ten years after enrollment, versus $88,665 at Williams College.
Which has a better graduation rate, Georgia Institute of Technology or Williams College?
Williams College has the higher graduation rate, 95% versus 93%.
Georgia Institute of Technology vs Williams College: which is better for social mobility?
Georgia Institute of Technology is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1.9% versus 1%.
Should you choose Georgia Institute of Technology or Williams College?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Georgia Institute of Technology if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Williams College if you want the more selective, higher-stats peer group. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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