Williamstown, MA · Private University
Is Williams College Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$88,665
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$64,860
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$64,860
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$259,440
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.37x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
4.8 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
96.5%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$12,761
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$14,852
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Williams College graduates earn $43,665 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Williams College ranked by graduate earnings
53 graduates
79 graduates
35 graduates
48 graduates
22 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Williams College
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Williams College, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Science: $119,517) and the lowest (Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics: $37,968) is $81,549/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer ScienceBest ROI | $119,517 | 1.8x |
| Economics | $115,082 | 1.8x |
| Mathematics | $87,931 | 1.4x |
| Political Science and Government | $79,779 | 1.2x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $72,010 | 1.1x |
| Area Studies | $67,794 | 1.1x |
| Chemistry | $57,466 | 0.9x |
| Psychology, General | $57,158 | 0.9x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $56,571 | 0.9x |
| Biology, General | $55,503 | 0.9x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsLowest(1yr data) | $37,968 | 0.6x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Williams College | 1.37x | $88,665 | Average ROI |
| Wellesley College | 1.32x | $84,803 | Average ROI |
| Bowdoin College | 1.27x | $82,735 | Average ROI |
| Amherst College | 1.15x | $77,644 | Average ROI |
| Dartmouth College | 1.48x | $97,434 | Average ROI |
| Swarthmore College | 1.29x | $80,257 | Average ROI |
The Bottom Line
Williams College delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $88,665 10 years after starting — $43,665 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 4.8 years — faster than most colleges.
Ready to apply to Williams College?
See your odds of admission based on your GPA and test scores.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.