Fast Facts About Williams

Overview

Established in 1793 with funds bequeathed by Colonel Ephraim Williams, the college is private, residential, and liberal arts, with graduate programs in the history of art and in development economics. The undergraduate enrollment is approximately 2,000 students.

The student-faculty ratio is 7:1.

Williams admits U.S. students without regard to their ability to pay. The college meets 100 percent of every admitted student’s demonstrated financial need for four years, and is the first school in the country to offer “all-grant” financial aid, with no loans or required earnings contributions. Just over half of all Williams students receive financial aid from the college.

There are three academic divisions (languages and the arts, social sciences, and science and mathematics) that encompass 26 departments, 37 majors, and several concentrations and special programs. The academic year consists of two four-course semesters plus a one-course January term.

Fraternities were phased out beginning in 1962. Coeducation was adopted in 1970.

The school color is purple. The mascot is the Purple Cow. Sports teams are called “Ephs.”

Williamstown is located in the Berkshires in northwestern Massachusetts, 135 miles from Boston and 165 miles from New York City.

President

Maud S. Mandel
Ph.D. (1998) University of Michigan
About President Mandel

Faculty

• Total number of instructional faculty: 348
• Tenured faculty as a percentage of total faculty: 59%
• Percent of the faculty with doctorates or other terminal degrees: 97%

_{Faculty as of Fall 2023}

Student Enrollment

• Undergraduate Non-U.S. enrollment: 8%
• Undergraduate U.S. minority enrollment: 41%

The greatest share of our undergraduates come from New York, Massachusetts, and California, in that order.
_{Enrollment as of Fall 2023}

• Applied: 11,465
• Admitted: 1,145
• Percent admitted: 10.0%
• Entered: 541
• Early decision as % of entering class: 46%
• U.S. students of color: 42%

2024-2025 Comprehensive Fees

• Tuition: $68,240
• Board, room, & fees: $17,580
• Study away fee (as applicable): $1,500

Financial Aid Statistics

• 52% of Williams undergraduate students receive need-based financial aid
• 18% of undergraduate students receive Pell Grants
• 28% of aided students’ parents pay nothing
• Average aid package:
  • 100% grants (Federal, state and Williams)
  • No required campus jobs
  • No loans

_{Financial aid statistics updated October 2023}