Head-to-Head Comparison
University of Georgia vs Williams College
- Georgia Wins
- 13
- Tied
- 17
- Williams Wins
- 24
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of Georgia offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Williams College achieves a higher graduation rate (95% vs 89%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $17,716 compared to University of Georgia's $13,936. Students who choose University of Georgia benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $68,726 at ten years.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Georgia
- Lower cost: Average net price of $13,936, roughly $3,780 a year less
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1.1%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
Williams
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $88,665 ten years after enrollment, 29% more than University of Georgia
- 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?
Georgia graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (29% 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 University of Georgia. Median earnings of $88,665 ten years after enrollment vs $68,726.
Pick University of Georgia over Williams College. Net price $13,936 vs $17,716.
Pick University of Georgia over Williams College. 1.1% mobility rate vs 1%.
Pick Williams College over University of Georgia. 95% completion rate vs 89%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
University of Georgia 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 University of Georgia takes 38%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,397 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, University of Georgia comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $13,936, about $3,780 a year below Williams College's $17,716. Graduates of Williams College also borrow less: median debt of $12,761, against $18,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $15,120 before any change in aid. Choosing University of Georgia 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 $68,726 at University of Georgia. That is a 29% advantage. Set against borrowing, Williams College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.14x to 0.27x.
So what: An earnings gap of 29% 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
University of Georgia does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 1.1%; 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%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, University of Georgia 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 University of Georgia to keep costs and debt down; pick Williams 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. University of Georgia saves about $3,780 a year, yet Williams College graduates earn $19,939 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Williams College is harder to get into, with a 8% admit rate, but University of Georgia posts the higher mobility rate, at 1.1%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Their academic identities diverge. University of Georgia concentrates enrollment in Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, Communications, while Williams College leans toward Social Sciences, Computer Science & IT, 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 $18,500, against $12,761 at Williams College.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of University of Georgia's enrollment, and Williams College is stronger here.
- Students who want a smaller campus: University of Georgia's enrollment of 32,137 far exceeds Williams College's 2,076.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $17,716 runs well above University of Georgia's $13,936.
- Business and consulting-track students: Williams College has less business program depth, and University of Georgia offers the stronger options.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Williams holds onto its admits more tightly: 42% of admitted students enroll, versus 38% at Georgia — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Williams offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Georgia 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
University of Georgia
Athens, GA · Public
The University of Georgia has a graduation rate of 89%, indicating strong student persistence and success. This is a significant figure for prospective students evaluating the likelihood of completing their degree.
According to Chetty/Opportunity Insights data, specific mobility statistics are not available for this institution. However, the overall outcomes for graduates suggest a solid earning potential. Alumni report an average income of $68,726 ten years after graduation, reflecting the value of a degree from this university.
The cost of attendance is relatively manageable with a net price of $13,936 and a median debt of $18,500. Students who thrive here typically pursue popular programs in Business, Communications, and Biological Sciences. The diverse offerings cater to a range of interests, making it a suitable choice for many.
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
University of Georgia is featured on the Best Business Colleges in Georgia ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Georgia's top program is Business Administration (29% of enrollment), while Williams leads with Sociology (24%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Georgia) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Williams).
The two schools feed different job markets. University of Georgia is strongest in Business & Marketing, Communications, Psychology, while Williams College concentrates in Social Sciences, 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 University of Georgia or Williams College?
Williams College is harder to get into, admitting 8% of applicants compared with 38% at University of Georgia.
Which is more affordable, University of Georgia or Williams College?
University of Georgia is more affordable, with an average net price of $13,936 after aid versus $17,716 at Williams College.
Do University of Georgia or Williams College graduates earn more?
Williams College graduates earn more: median earnings of $88,665 ten years after enrollment, versus $68,726 at University of Georgia.
Which has a better graduation rate, University of Georgia or Williams College?
Williams College has the higher graduation rate, 95% versus 89%.
University of Georgia vs Williams College: which is better for social mobility?
University of Georgia is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1.1% versus 1%.
Should you choose University of Georgia or Williams College?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose University of Georgia 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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