Head-to-Head Comparison
University of Notre Dame vs Williams College
- Notre Dame Wins
- 17
- Tied
- 17
- Williams Wins
- 20
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Williams College offers a significantly safer investment tier. While University of Notre Dame achieves a higher graduation rate (96% vs 95%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $26,780 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
Notre Dame
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $99,980 ten years after enrollment, 13% more than Williams College
Williams
- Lower cost: Average net price of $17,716, roughly $9,064 a year less
- Less debt: Median debt of $12,761, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- More selective: Admits 8% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Notre Dame graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (27% 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 University of Notre Dame over Williams College. Median earnings of $99,980 ten years after enrollment vs $88,665.
Pick Williams College over University of Notre Dame. Net price $17,716 vs $26,780.
Pick Williams College over University of Notre Dame. 1% mobility rate vs 0.9%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
University of Notre Dame 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 Notre Dame takes 11%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,520 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 $9,064 a year below University of Notre Dame's $26,780. Graduates of Williams College also borrow less: median debt of $12,761, against $19,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $36,256 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, University of Notre Dame graduates report median earnings of $99,980, compared with $88,665 at Williams College. That is a 13% advantage. Set against borrowing, Williams College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.14x to 0.19x.
So what: An earnings gap of 13% 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
Williams College does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 1%; at University of Notre Dame, it is 0.9%. Williams College also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 3.2% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 1.4%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Williams 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 University of Notre Dame 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 $9,064 a year, yet University of Notre Dame graduates earn $11,315 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. University of Notre Dame 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 $26,780 runs well above Williams College's $17,716.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $19,000, against $12,761 at Williams College.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of University of Notre Dame's enrollment, and Williams College is stronger here.
- Students who want a smaller campus: University of Notre Dame's enrollment of 8,818 far exceeds Williams College's 2,076.
- Engineering-focused students: University of Notre Dame has the stronger engineering programs.
- Business and consulting-track students: Williams College has less business program depth, and University of Notre Dame offers the stronger options.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Notre Dame holds onto its admits more tightly: 64% 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; Notre Dame 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
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN · Private nonprofit
The University of Notre Dame has an impressive graduation rate of 96%. This means that the vast majority of students who start their studies here complete their degrees on time. Such a high rate indicates strong student support and academic rigor.
According to the Chetty/Opportunity Insights data, specific mobility outcomes for Notre Dame students are not available. However, the strong graduation rate and high earnings after ten years suggest that graduates from this institution tend to secure stable, well-paying jobs. The average earnings for alumni reach $99,980, reflecting the quality of education and career preparation they receive.
Prospective students should consider the financial aspects as well. The net price for attending Notre Dame is $26,780, with a median debt of $19,000 after graduation. While the Pell Grant rate is 14%, students who thrive here often pursue majors in Business, Engineering, Social Sciences, Biology, and Computer Science, aligning their education with strong job markets.
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 Notre Dame is featured on the Best Colleges in Indiana ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Notre Dame's top program is Business Administration (27% 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 Notre Dame) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Williams).
The two schools feed different job markets. University of Notre Dame 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 University of Notre Dame or Williams College?
Williams College is harder to get into, admitting 8% of applicants compared with 11% at University of Notre Dame.
Which is more affordable, University of Notre Dame or Williams College?
Williams College is more affordable, with an average net price of $17,716 after aid versus $26,780 at University of Notre Dame.
Do University of Notre Dame or Williams College graduates earn more?
University of Notre Dame graduates earn more: median earnings of $99,980 ten years after enrollment, versus $88,665 at Williams College.
Which has a better graduation rate, University of Notre Dame or Williams College?
University of Notre Dame has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 95%.
University of Notre Dame vs Williams College: which is better for social mobility?
Williams College is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1% versus 0.9%.
Should you choose University of Notre Dame or Williams College?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Williams College if affordability and lower debt come first; choose University of Notre Dame 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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