Overview
Williams College was founded in 1793 in Williamstown, Massachusetts, made possible by a bequest from Ephraim Williams, making it one of the oldest liberal arts colleges in the United States. Over more than two centuries it has built an outstanding academic reputation, becoming a perennial contender for the top spot among national liberal arts colleges, celebrated for its rigorous curriculum, exceptional faculty-student engagement, and generous financial aid program. The college is particularly known for its distinctive tutorial system, modeled on Oxford and Cambridge, in which pairs of students meet weekly with a professor to debate and critique each other's work.
At a Glance
| Type | Liberal Arts |
| Location | Williamstown, Massachusetts |
| Founded | 1793 |
| Total students | 2,150 |
| Student–faculty ratio | 6:1 |
| Acceptance rate | 8% |
| Graduation rate | 95% |
| Average starting salary | $68,000 |
Tuition & Costs (estimates)
| In-state tuition | $62,470 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $62,470 |
| Room & board | $17,000 |
| Average financial aid | $62,000 |
| Students receiving aid | 53% |
Admissions
| SAT range | 1450-1560 |
| ACT range | 33-35 |
| Average GPA | 4.0 |
| Regular deadline | January 1 |
Top Programs
- Economics
- Political Science
- Art History
- Mathematics
- English
Figures are estimates for exploration — verify current costs, deadlines, and requirements on the university's official website.