Wheaton College vs Williams College
Wheaton College and Williams College, both esteemed liberal arts institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Wheaton, located in Norton, Massachusetts, boasts a higher acceptance rate (34%) compared to Williams' highly selective admissions (13%). While Williams excels in the social sciences, Wheaton offers a broader range of popular majors, including nursing, education, and business. Williams' student body is slightly larger, with an undergraduate enrollment of 2,000 students, while Wheaton fosters a more intimate learning environment with approximately 1,700 undergraduates. Both colleges boast impressive graduation rates, with Williams slightly edging out Wheaton (96% vs. 93%). To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table highlighting key differences between these two exceptional institutions. Dive in to discover which college aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Wheaton College |
![]() Williams College |
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Overview |
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Location | Wheaton, Illinois | Williamstown, Massachusetts |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | Town: Fringe |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | 4-1-4 |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 89.0% | 97.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Undenominational | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 86.3% | 8.8% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$30
|
$65 |
SAT range | 1250 - 1430 | N/A |
ACT range | 27 - 32 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 32.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 25.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 1,993 | 12,452 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,719 | 1,099 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 546 | 574 |
Yield rate | 31.8% | 52.2% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $54,700 | $78,060 |
Average net price | $28,319 | $14,487 |
Tuition | $40,570 | $59,350 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$6,640
Meal plan:
$4,660
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Room/dormitory:
$7,625
Meal plan:
$7,375
|
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
91.0%
Average amount $23,469 |
52.0%
Average amount $52,053 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
52.0%
Average amount $5,169 |
13.0%
Average amount $3,992 |
Students taking out private loans |
5.0%
Average amount $15,404 |
2.0%
Average amount $3,884 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
2,341
Men 44.9% Women 55.1% |
2,174
Men 48.1% Women 51.9% |
Graduate students |
706
Men 34.6% Women 65.4% |
50
Men 44.0% Women 56.0% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Moderate
|
Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | 5.9% | 9.8% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | Town: Fringe |
Dormitory capacity | 2,153 | 2,045 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | Yes |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 11:1 | 6:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | New England Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 87.6% | 93.8% |
Dropout rate | 3.1% | 3.1% |
Transferred out | 9.1% | 1.6% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Business/Managerial Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Master's Degrees)
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Theological and Ministerial Studies (Master's Degrees)
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Religious Education (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Area Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
History (Bachelor's Degrees)
Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Chemistry (Bachelor's Degrees)
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