Location: Williamstown, Massachusetts
‍Established: 1793
‍Enrollment: ~2,200
‍Admit Rate: 7.5% (Class of 2028)
‍Yield Rate: 46%
‍Endowment: $3.5 Billion
‍Academic Calendar: 4-1-4 (Semester plus "Winter Study")
‍School Colors: Purple and Gold, #500082
‍School Mascot: Ephs (Purple Cow)
‍Undergraduate Tuition and Fees: $72,170 USD (2025–26 Tuition)
‍Typical SAT Scores: Reading and Writing 730–780, Math 750–800
‍Motto: E Liberalitate E. Williams, Armigeri (Through the generosity of E. Williams, Esquire)
‍Notable: Famous for the Oxford-style "Tutorial" system (two students, one professor); consistently ranked #1 Liberal Arts College by U.S. News.
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‍1. Quick Facts Snapshot
• Location: Williamstown, Massachusetts
• Founded: 1793
• Enrollment: ~2,200
• Admit rate: 7.5% (Class of 2028)
• Yield rate: 46%
• Endowment: $3.5–3.7 Billion
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‍2. Why This School Fits the Little Ivy Profile
• Williams sets the standard. It blends the demanding academics of an Ivy League research university with the close-knit environment of a rural college. Its endowment per student ranks among the highest globally.

‍3. Selectivity & Admissions
• Approx admit rate: 7.5%
• Selectivity trend: Extremely competitive; consistently the hardest NESCAC to enter.
• SAT/ACT ranges: SAT 1490–1570

‍4. Academic Strengths
• Signature programs: Art History, Economics, and Mathematics.
• Faculty ratio: 7:1
• Key differentiator: The Oxford-Style Tutorials. Modeled after Oxford University, two students meet weekly with one professor to critique each other's papers. It is the ultimate intellectual workout.

‍5. Outcomes
• Salary or placement overview: Exceptionally high; top feeder for Wall Street, management consulting, and elite grad schools.
• Alumni influence: "The Williams Art Mafia" runs many of the world’s top museums.
• Where grads typically go: McKinsey/Bain, Goldman Sachs, Top Medical Schools, and Museum curation.

‍6. Campus Culture
• Traditions: Mountain Day. On a spontaneous Friday in October, the college president cancels classes, and the entire school hikes Mount Greylock.
• Social environment: "Entry" system (housing groups) creates tight bonds; social life is campus-centric and can be insular.
• Notable athletics or arts strengths: The "Directors' Cup" winner (best D3 athletic program) for over 20 years straight.

‍7. How It Compares
• [Williams vs. Amherst: The Rivalry]
• [Williams vs. Harvard: College vs. University]

‍8. FAQs
• Is it too isolated?
It is in the "Purple Valley" of the Berkshires; it is beautiful, but 3 hours from Boston/NYC.
• Are tutorials required?
No, but roughly half of students take at least one.
• What is Winter Study?
A 3-week January term where students take one pass/fail course, often on a fun or experimental topic.


Further Reading

• Williams College Tuition & Financial Aid
‍https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/williams-college-2229/paying
• Williams College Academic Calendar & Winter Study
‍https://www.williams.edu/academics/winter-study/
• Williams College Common Data Set
‍https://www.williams.edu/about/administration/offices/institutional-research/common-data-set/
• Williams College Tutorial System
‍https://www.williams.edu/academics/tutorial-system/
• Williams College Career Outcomes
‍https://www.williams.edu/career-center/outcomes/
• Williams College Student Life & Traditions
‍https://www.williams.edu/student-life/