Head-to-Head Comparison
Williams College vs Worcester Polytechnic Institute
- Williams Wins
- 22
- Tied
- 14
- Worcester Polytechnic Wins
- 13
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Williams College offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $17,716 vs Worcester Polytechnic Institute's $43,071, 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.
49 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Williams
- Lower cost: Average net price of $17,716, roughly $25,355 a year less
- 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
Worcester Polytechnic
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $103,470 ten years after enrollment, 17% more than Williams College
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2.2%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Williams graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (24% of degrees); Worcester Polytechnic in Engineering (58%). 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 Worcester Polytechnic Institute over Williams College. Median earnings of $103,470 ten years after enrollment vs $88,665.
Pick Williams College over Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Net price $17,716 vs $43,071.
Pick Worcester Polytechnic Institute over Williams College. 2.2% mobility rate vs 1%.
Pick Williams College over Worcester Polytechnic Institute. 95% completion rate vs 89%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Williams College and Worcester Polytechnic Institute 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 Worcester Polytechnic Institute takes 60%.
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 $25,355 a year below Worcester Polytechnic Institute's $43,071. Graduates of Williams College also borrow less: median debt of $12,761, against $27,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $101,420 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, Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduates report median earnings of $103,470, compared with $88,665 at Williams College. That is a 17% advantage. Set against borrowing, Williams College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.14x to 0.26x.
So what: An earnings gap of 17% 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
Worcester Polytechnic Institute does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2.2%; at Williams College, it is 1%. Worcester Polytechnic Institute 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, Worcester Polytechnic Institute 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 Worcester Polytechnic Institute 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 $25,355 a year, yet Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduates earn $14,805 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 Worcester Polytechnic Institute posts the higher mobility rate, at 2.2%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Their academic identities diverge. Williams College concentrates enrollment in Social Sciences, Visual & Performing Arts, while Worcester Polytechnic Institute leans toward Engineering, Biology & Biomedical. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Engineering-focused students: Worcester Polytechnic Institute has the stronger engineering programs.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $43,071 runs well above Williams College's $17,716.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $27,000, against $12,761 at Williams College.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Worcester Polytechnic Institute's enrollment of 5,447 far exceeds Williams College's 2,076.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Williams holds onto its admits more tightly: 42% of admitted students enroll, versus 9% at Worcester Polytechnic — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Both reward applying early, but the binding round pays off more at Williams (26.6% Early Decision admit rate vs 19.0%). Early Decision is binding, so it only makes sense if the school is a clear first choice. Test scores matter less at Worcester Polytechnic, where only about 16% of enrolled freshmen submitted any SAT or ACT.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 3 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
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.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Worcester, MA · Private nonprofit
At Worcester Polytechnic Institute, nearly 5,500 students engage deeply in hands-on learning, particularly in engineering, computer science, biology, and the arts. With a 60% acceptance rate, it attracts a diverse group of learners who thrive in a practical, project-oriented environment. The school's commitment to experiential education stands out, offering students opportunities to apply their knowledge in real-world settings, which is crucial for those aiming to bridge theory and practice.
Looking beyond graduation, WPI graduates can expect solid financial returns, with a median earnings figure of $103,470 just ten years after earning their degree. This kind of earning potential is significant, especially considering the school's 89% graduation rate, which suggests that most students not only complete their degrees but also move into well-paying jobs. Affordability is a factor too; with a net price of $43,071 after aid, many students find that the investment pays off in their career trajectories.
When it comes to the financial bottom line, WPI students graduate with a median debt of $27,000, a manageable amount considering their earning potential. This is particularly relevant for those who are mindful of their financial future. Students who tend to thrive here are often those who are driven, curious, and ready to tackle challenges head-on in a collaborative atmosphere. Overall, WPI is a solid choice for students looking to make a meaningful impact in their fields while achieving strong financial outcomes.
Rankings They Appear On
Williams College is featured on the Best Liberal Arts Colleges ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Williams's top program is Sociology (24% of enrollment), while Worcester Polytechnic leads with Mechanical Engineering (58%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Williams) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Worcester Polytechnic).
The two schools feed different job markets. Williams College is strongest in Social Sciences, while Worcester Polytechnic Institute concentrates in Engineering. 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 Williams College or Worcester Polytechnic Institute?
Williams College is harder to get into, admitting 8% of applicants compared with 60% at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Which is more affordable, Williams College or Worcester Polytechnic Institute?
Williams College is more affordable, with an average net price of $17,716 after aid versus $43,071 at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Do Williams College or Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduates earn more?
Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduates earn more: median earnings of $103,470 ten years after enrollment, versus $88,665 at Williams College.
Which has a better graduation rate, Williams College or Worcester Polytechnic Institute?
Williams College has the higher graduation rate, 95% versus 89%.
Williams College vs Worcester Polytechnic Institute: which is better for social mobility?
Worcester Polytechnic Institute is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 2.2% versus 1%.
Should you choose Williams College or Worcester Polytechnic Institute?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Williams College if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Worcester Polytechnic Institute 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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