Head-to-Head Comparison
Purdue University-Main Campus vs Williams College
- Purdue University-Main Wins
- 10
- Tied
- 17
- Williams Wins
- 23
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Purdue University-Main Campus offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Williams College achieves a higher graduation rate (95% vs 83%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $17,716 compared to Purdue University-Main Campus's $14,600. Students who choose Purdue University-Main Campus benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $72,424 at ten years.
50 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Purdue University-Main
- Lower cost: Average net price of $14,600, roughly $3,116 a year less
Williams
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $88,665 ten years after enrollment, 22% more than Purdue University
- 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?
Purdue University-Main graduates concentrate in Engineering (25% 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 Purdue University. Median earnings of $88,665 ten years after enrollment vs $72,424.
Pick Purdue University over Williams College. Net price $14,600 vs $17,716.
Pick Williams College over Purdue University. 95% completion rate vs 83%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Purdue University and Williams College are close on paper, but Williams 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
Williams College is the harder admit. It takes 8% of applicants, while Purdue University takes 50%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,364 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, Purdue University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $14,600, about $3,116 a year below Williams College's $17,716. Graduates of Williams College also borrow less: median debt of $12,761, against $19,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $12,464 before any change in aid. Choosing Purdue University 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 $72,424 at Purdue University. That is a 22% advantage. Set against borrowing, Williams College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.14x to 0.27x.
So what: An earnings gap of 22% 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 83%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 12% 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.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Purdue University to keep costs and debt down; pick Williams College for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 5 of 6 core signals used here; where one school is missing a figure, that row is left out of the comparison rather than estimated.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. Purdue University saves about $3,116 a year, yet Williams College graduates earn $16,241 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. Purdue University 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 $19,500, against $12,761 at Williams College.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Purdue University's enrollment, and Williams College is stronger here.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Purdue University's enrollment of 44,503 far exceeds Williams College's 2,076.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $17,716 runs well above Purdue University's $14,600.
- Engineering-focused students: Purdue University has the stronger engineering programs.
- Business and consulting-track students: Williams College has less business program depth, and Purdue University offers the stronger options.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Purdue University-Main holds onto its admits more tightly: 49% 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; Purdue University-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
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Purdue University-Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN · Public
With an enrollment of over 44,500 students, Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, is a solid choice for those who thrive in a large, dynamic environment. It’s particularly appealing for students interested in engineering, business, computer science, biology, and social sciences. The 50% acceptance rate suggests a competitive atmosphere, and the 83% graduation rate indicates that many students are successfully completing their degrees.
After graduation, students can expect a median earning of $72,424 after ten years. That’s a significant number, especially for graduates entering fields like engineering and technology. While the cost of attendance is reasonable, the long-term financial outlook is promising, making it clear that a degree from Purdue can lead to solid career opportunities.
When it comes to affordability, the net price after aid averages around $14,600, which is manageable for many families. With a median debt of $19,500, students leave with a debt load that is relatively low compared to potential earnings. Those who tend to thrive here are often self-motivated, ambitious, and ready to take advantage of the university's strong programs and supportive resources.
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
Williams College is featured on the Best Liberal Arts Colleges ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Purdue University-Main's top program is Mechanical Engineering (25% 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 Purdue University-Main) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Williams).
The two schools feed different job markets. Purdue University 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 Purdue University or Williams College?
Williams College is harder to get into, admitting 8% of applicants compared with 50% at Purdue University.
Which is more affordable, Purdue University or Williams College?
Purdue University is more affordable, with an average net price of $14,600 after aid versus $17,716 at Williams College.
Do Purdue University or Williams College graduates earn more?
Williams College graduates earn more: median earnings of $88,665 ten years after enrollment, versus $72,424 at Purdue University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Purdue University or Williams College?
Williams College has the higher graduation rate, 95% versus 83%.
Should you choose Purdue University or Williams College?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Purdue University if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Williams 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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