2025 admissions data

Williams College Acceptance Rate

How Hard Is It to Get In?

A straight answer: 8.3% acceptance rate.

This means for every 100 applicants, only 8 actually get in. No guessing. Williams College is a COMP institution located in Williamstown, MA — competition varies by program, but this is the official average.

Williams College serves students seeking a deeply personalized education in a tight-knit community. It's ideal for those who value small class sizes and a close rapport with faculty. If you thrive in large seminars or prefer lecture-based learning, Williams may not be your best fit. Potential trade-offs include the limited exposure to diverse perspectives due to the small student body, which might restrict your range of social and academic experiences compared to larger universities. If you have a passion for liberal arts and want to immerse yourself in intensive, interactive learning, Williams offers a unique tutorial-style education. However, be ready for the rigorous demands that come with such close faculty engagement, which may not suit everyone’s learning style.

Who Actually Gets In? (Men vs Women)

Quick breakdown so you get the real picture:

Men

8.0%

Acceptance Rate

Women

8.8%

Acceptance Rate

If you think one gender has an edge — the data tells what’s up.

Applications vs Admits: The Funnel That Matters

This is where the reality hits:

Applied

15,411

Admitted

1,272

🎓

Yield Rate: N/A

This shows how many admitted students choose Williams College. High yield = high confidence. Low yield = students had better options.

What Scores Do You Need?

If you're applying without knowing what scores to aim for… that’s how rejection letters happen.

SAT Score Range

Math750–790

Reading740–780

ACT Score Range

English35–36

Math32–35

Aim for the 75th percentile if you want peace of mind.

What the Williams College Acceptance Rate Can — and Can’t — Tell You

Looking up the Williams College acceptance rate is a natural starting point for applicants trying to understand admissions competitiveness. The number is easy to find and easy to compare, but it’s often misunderstood.

An acceptance rate of 8.3% represents outcomes across thousands of applications, not individual chances. It combines students with strong academic preparation, borderline applicants, and exploratory submissions into one statistic, which limits how precisely it can be interpreted.

Why Acceptance Rates Vary Year to Year

Acceptance rates don’t just change because universities become more or less selective. They fluctuate based on how many students apply, how programs manage enrollment, and how applicants self-select.

At Williams College, shifts in applicant interest—especially in certain majors—can influence admissions outcomes. When demand increases in popular programs, competition intensifies even if the overall acceptance rate remains stable.

A Better Way to Think About Admissions Chances

Rather than using the acceptance rate at Williams College as a prediction tool, students should see it as a benchmark. It helps identify whether a school belongs in a reach, target, or safety category, but it doesn’t replace self-assessment.

Applicants who focus on academic fit, preparation, and realistic expectations often find that acceptance rate data makes more sense in hindsight than it does upfront.

Admissions Insight

A critical aspect of Williams College is its tutorial system, which, while not unique to the institution, is executed with a focus on deep intellectual engagement. This model pairs two students with a single professor for a detailed exploration of complex subjects. Unlike traditional lecture-based learning where content delivery is paramount, Williams’s system promotes dialogue, critical thinking, and collaborative learning among peers. Such an arrangement can lead to a marked difference in understanding and retention of material, as students actively participate in discussions rather than passively absorbing information. The key here is that this approach demands a heightened level of preparation and engagement from students. If you are not accustomed to taking initiative in your learning process, this can be an overwhelming adjustment. The level of accountability required can be a double-edged sword: it cultivates independence and deep analytical skills, while potentially inducing stress in students who may not be used to such an intense format. Thus, students who are adaptable, self-motivated, and appreciate the mentorship of professors will likely thrive under this system. Moreover, consider the implications of workload intensity when choosing Williams. The academic environment prioritizes depth over breadth, meaning students tend to dive deeply into fewer subjects. This specialization can foster robust expertise but may feel limiting if you seek broader academic exposure or wish to explore interdisciplinary studies. Students must balance their passion for their chosen fields with the reality of a focused academic track. In short, potential candidates should thoughtfully consider whether the immersive, demanding academic experience at Williams aligns with their personal learning preferences, career aspirations, and lifestyle. Those drawn to rigorous liberal arts can find success, while others might find the experience too constraining.

Holistic Admissions? Or Score-Centric?

Some colleges love essays and activities. Some love high numbers.

Application Fee: $65

Fee Waiver Available: Yes

Application Portal: https://admission.williams.edu/apply

Your Chances of Getting Into Williams College

Let’s keep it real:

✅ Great scores + strong extracurriculars → Solid chance
🔶 Good scores + average profile → Toss-up
❌ Below 25th percentile → You’re relying on miracles

If you’re international, competition goes up a notch. If you're applying to CS, Business, or Engineering → multiply difficulty by 2.

What's my real shot?

Acceptance Odds Estimator

Estimate your admission probability at Williams College based on your unique profile.

GPA

Test Score (SAT/ACT)

Extracurriculars

Pro Tip: Many more factors influence admission. For a deeper analysis that includes major, essays, and personal context — use Orbit's values-based matching.

Try Right Fit Matcher

Is Williams College a Reach, Target, or Safety School?

One of the most common reasons students research admissions data is to categorize schools. Where does Williams College belong on your list? Is it a reach, a realistic target, or a safer option?

There’s no universal answer. For some applicants, Williams College may represent a strong target where preparation aligns well with admissions expectations. For others—especially those applying to competitive programs—it may function more like a reach.

How to Think About Your Chances Holistically

Admissions outcomes depend on more than a single statistic. Academic rigor, consistency, course selection, and clarity of intent all influence how applications are reviewed. That’s why two students with similar GPAs can experience very different results.

Using admissions data effectively means pairing it with self-assessment. When students understand both their own profiles and how the university evaluates applicants, decisions become clearer and more grounded. In that sense, acceptance data isn’t about predicting outcomes—it’s about making smarter choices before applying.

Should You Apply to Williams College?

If 8.3% feels scary — that’s the point. High stakes → high payoff.

Will I be a standout here?
Do I like the vibe?
Can I afford it? (Check scholarship opportunities)
Is this my best-fit major here?

Explore Williams College

Jump to related stats for this same university.

Admissions Overview

Requirements, deadlines & funnel

ACT Scores

Percentiles, ranges, and what’s competitive

FAQs About Williams College Acceptance Rate

What is the student-to-faculty ratio at Williams College?

The student-to-faculty ratio at Williams College is 7:1, enabling significant opportunities for personalized attention from professors and fostering strong academic relationships.

What are the most popular majors at Williams College?

The most popular majors at Williams College include Economics, Mathematics, and Psychology, with 114, 62, and 62 graduates in these fields, respectively.

Does Williams College have a study abroad program?

Yes, Williams College offers a variety of study abroad programs allowing students to gain international experience and broaden their academic perspectives.

What is the average class size at Williams College?

The average class size at Williams College is approximately 13 students, facilitating intimate learning environments where discussions and participation are encouraged.

What is the graduation rate at Williams College?

Williams College boasts a 97% graduation rate, reflecting a supportive academic environment that helps students successfully complete their degrees.

Final Verdict: Don’t Play It Casual

Williams College isn’t a lottery — but it sure feels like one if you apply blind.

Know where you stand. Play strengths. Show why you belong.

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