More selective than 95% of Massachusetts colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
42% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 18% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose Williams College over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
We don't have Williams College's Common Data Set yet, the college's own report of what it weighs in admissions, early decision and waitlist numbers. Work at Williams College or have its file? Send it to us.
Williams College SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, Williams College is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 740 | 780 |
| SAT math | 750 | 790 |
| ACT composite | 34 | 35 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 1490 | 1570 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
Williams College admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 8% | 740–780 | 750–790 | 34–35 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 10% | 730–770 | 740–790 | 33–35 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is Williams College compared with other Massachusetts colleges?
Williams College has the 4th-lowest acceptance rate of 62 Massachusetts colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harvard University | 4% | 98% | $19,066 |
| 2 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 5% | 96% | $20,111 |
| 3 | Northeastern University | 5% | 91% | $30,915 |
| 4 | Williams College | 8% | 94% | $17,716 |
| 5 | Amherst College | 9% | 94% | $23,367 |
| 6 | Boston University | 11% | 89% | $24,402 |
| 7 | Tufts University | 11% | 94% | $39,998 |
| 8 | Wellesley College | 14% | 92% | $25,496 |
| 9 | Boston College | 16% | 91% | $41,704 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Massachusetts colleges →
Who enrolls at Williams College
College Scorecard; IPEDS
Williams College admissions questions
What is the Williams College acceptance rate?
Williams College accepts 8% of applicants, about 1 in 12. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 1,145 of 11,465 applicants were admitted.
Does Williams College require the SAT or ACT?
Williams College considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 42% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 18% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for Williams College?
The middle 50% of Williams College enrolled first-year students scored 1490–1570 on the SAT and 34–35 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at Williams College?
47% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (541 of 1,145).
Is Williams College getting harder to get into?
Williams College accepted 8% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 10% for Fall 2023.
Is Williams College the right fit for your family?
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Williams College overview