Williams College : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About Williams College
Set in the Berkshires, Williams College is known for conversation-driven learning and close faculty mentorship across the arts and humanities, social sciences, and the sciences. Libraries, studios, labs, an on-campus art museum, and strong athletics facilities set the stage, and distinctive tutorial-style courses make ideas personal. Advising, wellness care, tutoring, and a hands-on career office round out the support.
Student life skews active and outdoorsy: music and theater one night, hiking, skiing, or intramurals the next. The culture feels collaborative, a little quirky, and proud of its purple-cow spirit; on a clear fall day, classes might even pause for the mountains. Career prep starts early, with alumni connections opening doors to internships, research, and jobs. Williamstown's small-town backdrop brings galleries, coffee spots, and friendly rhythms. Notable alumni include composer-lyricist Stephen Sondheim and former U.S. president James A. Garfield.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
Williams College offers 38 degree programs across 14 major academic fields, graduating approximately 758 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Social Sciences (6 programs, 189 graduates), Mathematics (2 programs, 89 graduates), Computer & IT (1 programs, 63 graduates), Physical Sciences (4 programs, 54 graduates) and Arts (4 programs, 54 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Social Sciences (6 programs, 189 graduates)
Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Econometrics and Quantitative Economics | 100 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0603 |
| Development Economics and International Development | 30 |
|
Master's
|
45.0604 |
| Political Science and Government | 28 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.1001 |
| Social Sciences | 17 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.9999 |
| Sociology | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.1101 |
| Anthropology | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0201 |
Mathematics (2 programs, 89 graduates)
Mathematical Sciences, Statistics and Computational Analysis
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 62 |
|
Bachelor's
|
27.0101 |
| Statistics | 27 |
|
Bachelor's
|
27.0501 |
Computer & IT (1 programs, 63 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | 63 |
|
Bachelor's
|
11.0701 |
Physical Sciences (4 programs, 54 graduates)
Chemistry, Physics and Earth Sciences Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemistry | 24 |
|
Bachelor's
|
40.0501 |
| Physics | 13 |
|
Bachelor's
|
40.0801 |
| Geology and Earth Science | 12 |
|
Bachelor's
|
40.0601 |
| Astrophysics | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
|
40.0202 |
Arts (4 programs, 54 graduates)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Art Studies | 29 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0701 |
| Art History and Conservation | 14 |
|
Master's
|
50.0703 |
| Music | 6 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0901 |
| Theatre Arts | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0501 |
Languages (9 programs, 53 graduates)
Foreign Languages, Literature and Linguistic Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chinese Language and Literature | 11 |
|
Bachelor's
|
16.0301 |
| Spanish Language and Literature | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
|
16.0905 |
| Comparative Literature | 7 |
|
Bachelor's
|
16.0104 |
| Classics and Classical Languages | 7 |
|
Bachelor's
|
16.1200 |
| French Language and Literature | 6 |
|
Bachelor's
|
16.0901 |
| German Language and Literature | 4 |
|
Bachelor's
|
16.0501 |
| East Asian Languages and Linguistics | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
16.0300 |
| Japanese Language and Literature | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
16.0302 |
| Russian Language and Literature | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
16.0402 |
Biological Sciences (1 programs, 52 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology and Biological Sciences | 52 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0101 |
Psychology (1 programs, 51 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Experimental Psychology | 51 |
|
Bachelor's
|
42.2704 |
English (1 programs, 42 graduates)
English Literature, Creative Writing and Literary Analysis
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language and Literature | 42 |
|
Bachelor's
|
23.0101 |
History (1 programs, 36 graduates)
Historical Studies, Cultural Heritage and Archaeological Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| History | 36 |
|
Bachelor's
|
54.0101 |
Admission Requirements & Test Scores
Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at Williams College.
Application Requirements
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Williams College
How much does it cost to attend Williams College?
The annual tuition at Williams College is $64,860 for in-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $84,860 for in-state students. Additional costs include room and board $16,300 (on-campus) and books and supplies $1,000.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does Williams College offer?
Williams College offers 38 academic programs across 14 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Bachelor's, Master's.
Most popular program areas include:
- Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies (6 programs)
- Mathematical Sciences, Statistics and Computational Analysis (2 programs)
- Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity (1 programs)
- Chemistry, Physics and Earth Sciences Research (4 programs)
- Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance (4 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What is the acceptance rate for Williams College?
Williams College has an 10% acceptance rate and a 47.2% yield rate, making it highly selective.
Admission statistics breakdown:
- Total applicants: 11,465
- Students admitted: 1,145
- Students enrolled: 541
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.
What is the average salary for Williams College graduates?
Williams College graduates earn a median salary of $71,754 after 6 years and $88,665 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $62,574 (25th percentile) to $145,323 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $167,700 (90th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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