CAMPUS · WILLIAMSTOWN, MA · PRIVATE

Williams College

10.0%

01Acceptance 02Tuition 03Transfer 04ROI 05AP Credit 06Majors 07Housing 08International

FIT

REACH

Williams College is a reach for most applicants.

Score reflects acceptance odds × cost × outcome quality.

ACCEPTANCE

10.0%

of 11,465 applicants

SALARY · 10-YR

$88,665

across all majors

Williams College at a Glance

2,355

Total Enrollment

$12,761

Median Debt

17.0%

Pell Grant Rate

Average SAT & ACT Scores for Williams College

Test	25th Percentile	75th Percentile	Midpoint
SAT Reading	730	770	750
SAT Math	740	790	765
SAT Total	1470	1560	1515
ACT Composite	33	35	34

Admissions Funnel

Applications Received	11,465
Students Admitted	1,145
Students Enrolled	541
Yield Rate	47.3%

Williams College Rankings

Ranking	2025	Year
US News Liberal Arts Colleges	#1	2025

Williams College Overview

Williams College is a private university in Williamstown, MA with 2,355 students. With a 10.0% acceptance rate, it ranks among the most selective institutions in the country. The most popular majors are Social Sciences, Mathematics/Statistics, and Physical Sciences.

Full Name	Williams College
Location	Williamstown, MA 01267
Type	Private
Website	williams.edu/
Total Enrollment	2,355
Undergrad Enrollment	2,302
Female Students	53.1%

Is Williams College a Reach, Match, or Safety?

With an acceptance rate of 10.0%, Williams College is a Reach for most applicants. You'll need a standout application — strong GPA, meaningful extracurriculars, and compelling essays — to have realistic odds here.

Your Profile	Williams College Is...	What to Do
Above-average GPA + strong application	Match	Apply — worth the effort
Average GPA, some strengths	Reach	Apply, but have 2-3 backup schools
Below-average GPA	Hard Reach	Consider similar schools with higher acceptance rates

Popular Majors at Williams College

The most popular fields of study, ranked by the number of degrees awarded.

Social Sciences

26.2%

Mathematics/Statistics

8.6%

Physical Sciences

7.6%

Psychology

7.6%

English/Literature

7.5%

Best Majors at Williams College →

Student Demographics

White

47.6%

Black/African American

5.0%

Hispanic/Latino

12.8%

Asian

13.1%

International

9.2%

How to Get Into Williams College

Williams is a Reach school for nearly all applicants. Competitive applicants typically score 1515+ on the SAT. Beyond grades and scores, Williams wants to see intellectual curiosity, leadership, and a clear sense of purpose in your application. Have 2-3 realistic backup schools — even perfect-on-paper students get denied here.

1515

Target SAT Score

Target ACT Score

10.0%

Acceptance Rate

11,465

Total Applicants

What Williams College Values Most in Applicants

Admission factor importance from the Common Data Set — what the school officially says matters.

Factor	Importance
Academic Gpa	Very Important
Rigor Of Secondary School Record	Very Important
Class Rank	Very Important
Standardized Test Scores	Considered
Application Essay	Important
Recommendation	Very Important
Extracurricular Activities	Important
Talent Ability	Important
Character Personal Qualities	Very Important
First Generation	Important
Alumni Relation	Considered
Interview	Not Considered
Work Experience	Important
Volunteer Work	Important

Williams College Application Deadlines & Requirements

Key dates for the Williams College ED admission cycle. Mark these on your calendar — missing a deadline means waiting another year.

Deadline	Date
Early Decision	Nov 15
Regular Decision	Jan 5

Early Decision: Williams College offers binding Early Decision. If accepted, you must enroll and withdraw all other applications. Only apply ED if Williams College is your clear first choice.

Frequently Asked Questions About Williams College

What is Williams's acceptance rate?

Williams has an acceptance rate of 10.0%, making it extremely selective. This rate reflects freshman applicants for the most recent admissions cycle.

What SAT score do I need for Williams?

The middle 50% SAT range at Williams is 1470-1560. For the ACT, the middle 50% range is 33-35. Scoring above the 75th percentile puts you in a strong position, but scores alone don't determine admission.

What are the most popular majors at Williams?

The most popular majors at Williams by degrees awarded are: Social Sciences (26.2%), Mathematics/Statistics (8.6%), Physical Sciences (7.6%), Psychology (7.6%), English/Literature (7.5%). These percentages reflect undergraduate degrees conferred in the most recent reporting year.

Can I transfer to Williams?

Williams accepts transfer students, though the process is highly selective. Transfer applicants typically need a strong college GPA (3.5+), relevant coursework, and compelling reasons for transferring. The transfer acceptance rate is generally lower than freshman admission at selective schools.