Head-to-Head Comparison
Washington University in St Louis vs Williams College
- Washington St Wins
- 18
- Tied
- 18
- Williams Wins
- 18
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Williams College offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $17,716 vs Washington University in St Louis's $21,786, Williams College delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. 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
Washington St
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
Williams
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $88,665 ten years after enrollment, 3% more than Washington University in St Louis
- Lower cost: Average net price of $17,716, roughly $4,070 a year less
- 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?
Washington St graduates concentrate in Engineering (14% 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 Washington University in St Louis. Median earnings of $88,665 ten years after enrollment vs $86,182.
Pick Williams College over Washington University in St Louis. Net price $17,716 vs $21,786.
Pick Washington University in St Louis over Williams College. 1% mobility rate vs 1%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Washington University in St Louis and Williams College are close on paper, but Williams College wins the head-to-head, leading on 5 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 Washington University in St Louis takes 12%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,530 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 $4,070 a year below Washington University in St Louis's $21,786. 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 $16,280 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, Williams College graduates report median earnings of $88,665, compared with $86,182 at Washington University in St Louis. That is a 3% advantage. Set against borrowing, Williams College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.14x to 0.2x.
So what: An earnings gap of 3% 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
Washington University in St Louis does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 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 1.9%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Washington University in St Louis 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 Washington University in St Louis if upward mobility and access matter most.
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 Washington University in St Louis posts the higher mobility rate, at 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. Washington University in St Louis concentrates enrollment in Engineering, Biology & Biomedical, 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 $21,786 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 Washington University in St Louis's enrollment, and Williams College is stronger here.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Washington University in St Louis's enrollment of 7,857 far exceeds Williams College's 2,076.
- Engineering-focused students: Washington University in St Louis has the stronger engineering programs.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Washington St holds onto its admits more tightly: 48% 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 Washington St (27.0% Early Decision admit rate vs 26.6%). Early Decision is binding, so it only makes sense if the school is a clear first choice.
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
Washington University in St Louis
St. Louis, MO · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 12%, Washington University in St. Louis attracts driven students looking for a rigorous academic environment. It’s a great fit for those interested in fields like engineering, biology, social sciences, computer science, and business. The graduation rate of 94% reflects a supportive community that helps students succeed and achieve their goals.
Life after graduation looks promising, with alumni reporting an average earnings of $86,182 ten years out. This figure highlights the potential for financial stability in a variety of career paths. While nearly 18% of students receive Pell Grants, the school’s commitment to affordability helps ensure that students from different economic backgrounds can thrive.
On the financial side, the net price after aid stands at $21,786, and the median debt for graduates is $17,500. This manageable debt load suggests that students here often leave school with a solid foundation for their financial futures. Those who tend to thrive are often self-motivated and eager to engage deeply with their studies and the campus community.
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
Washington University in St Louis is featured on the Best Colleges in Missouri ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Washington St's top program is Mechanical Engineering (14% 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 Washington St) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Williams).
The two schools feed different job markets. Washington University in St Louis is strongest in Engineering, Business & Marketing, 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 Washington University in St Louis or Williams College?
Williams College is harder to get into, admitting 8% of applicants compared with 12% at Washington University in St Louis.
Which is more affordable, Washington University in St Louis or Williams College?
Williams College is more affordable, with an average net price of $17,716 after aid versus $21,786 at Washington University in St Louis.
Do Washington University in St Louis or Williams College graduates earn more?
Williams College graduates earn more: median earnings of $88,665 ten years after enrollment, versus $86,182 at Washington University in St Louis.
Which has a better graduation rate, Washington University in St Louis or Williams College?
Williams College has the higher graduation rate, 95% versus 94%.
Washington University in St Louis vs Williams College: which is better for social mobility?
Washington University in St Louis is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1% versus 1%.
Should you choose Washington University in St Louis or Williams College?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Williams College if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Washington University in St Louis if upward mobility and access to low-income students matter most. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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