Whittier College vs Williams College
Whittier College and Williams College, two esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Whittier College, nestled in the vibrant city of Whittier, California, boasts an acceptance rate of 68%, while Williams College, located in the picturesque town of Williamstown, Massachusetts, maintains a highly selective admissions process with an acceptance rate of 13%. Both colleges offer a diverse range of academic programs, with Whittier College excelling in fields such as business, education, and nursing, and Williams College renowned for its strengths in the liberal arts and sciences. While Whittier College's student body is predominantly composed of local students, Williams College attracts a more geographically diverse student population. With graduation rates of 75% and 96% respectively, both colleges prioritize student success and provide ample resources to support their students' academic and personal growth. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve deeper into the unique characteristics of each institution and determine which college best aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Whittier College |
![]() Williams College |
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Overview |
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Location | Whittier, California | 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 | 4-1-4 | 4-1-4 |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 82.0% | 97.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 82.5% | 8.8% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$70
|
$65 |
SAT range | 1120 - 1340 | N/A |
ACT range | 23 - 28 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 11.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 9.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 2,884 | 12,452 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,379 | 1,099 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 277 | 574 |
Yield rate | 11.6% | 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 | $61,014 | $78,060 |
Average net price | $22,091 | $14,487 |
Tuition | $48,924 | $59,350 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$8,216
Meal plan:
$6,756
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Room/dormitory:
$7,625
Meal plan:
$7,375
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
97.0%
Average amount $32,645 |
52.0%
Average amount $52,053 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
65.0%
Average amount $5,040 |
13.0%
Average amount $3,992 |
Students taking out private loans |
6.0%
Average amount $17,379 |
2.0%
Average amount $3,884 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,325
Men 43.7% Women 56.3% |
2,174
Men 48.1% Women 51.9% |
Graduate students |
62
Men 25.8% Women 74.2% |
50
Men 44.0% Women 56.0% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | 6.3% | 9.8% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | Town: Fringe |
Dormitory capacity | 849 | 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 | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission | New England Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 63.6% | 93.8% |
Dropout rate | 3.6% | 3.1% |
Transferred out | 31.9% | 1.6% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Education, General (Master's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Sociology (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Social Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (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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