Williams College demonstrates excellent return on investment performance, ranking at the 94.7th percentile nationally with top-tier performance designation. Graduates earn a median of $88,665 ten years after enrollment, placing Williams at the 96th percentile for absolute earnings outcomes. These earnings reach $25,599 above the peer median of $63,066, indicating substantial outperformance relative to similar institutions. Median debt remains exceptionally low at $12,761, sitting $11,420 below the peer median of $24,181 and ranking at the 89th percentile nationally. This combination creates a favorable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.14, meaning debt represents just 14% of first-year post-graduation earnings. Williams' return index of 1.19 reflects strong long-term value creation through the combination of controlled educational costs, substantial financial aid, and robust earning outcomes. The institution's ability to generate strong returns stems from both high absolute earnings and exceptionally managed debt levels, positioning Williams among top-performing institutions for educational investment value.
Williams College graduates demonstrate steady earnings growth over their early career trajectory. Median earnings rise from $71,754 six years after enrollment to $79,082 at eight years and $88,665 at ten years, representing 23.6% growth from the six-year mark. These outcomes are based on cohorts of 187 graduates at six years, 169 at eight years, and 170 at ten years, providing solid confidence in reported figures. Graduates earn $88,665 at the ten-year mark, placing Williams at the 96th percentile nationally for absolute earnings performance. However, when adjusted for student demographics and program mix, graduates earn $2,611 below expectations, ranking around the national average at the 44.7th percentile on this measure. Low-income graduates earn $117,600, ranking at the top 5% nationally and indicating exceptionally strong outcomes for students from lower-income backgrounds. Earnings span from $62,574 at the 25th percentile to $145,323 at the 75th percentile, reflecting differences in program choice and career trajectory. Approximately 21.8% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both advanced education and workforce entry.
Latest FE earnings field: 10-year
Lower quartile, 10-year field
Earnings outcomes at Williams show significant variation across programs and career paths. The gap between the 25th percentile ($62,574) and 75th percentile ($145,323) represents a 2.3:1 ratio, reflecting substantial differences in field of study and post-graduation career directions. Computer Science graduates lead with median earnings of $119,517, while Applied Economics graduates earn $115,082, and Algebra and Number Theory graduates earn $87,931. Liberal arts fields also demonstrate strong performance, with Art History graduates earning $72,010 and American History graduates earning $72,283. Earnings grow consistently from the early to mid-career period, increasing by 23.6% between the six-year and ten-year marks. With cohorts ranging from 169 to 187 graduates across measurement periods, these figures reflect outcomes across Williams' diverse academic portfolio rather than isolated high-earning concentrations.
Financial justification for the investment.
Earnings outcomes show meaningful variation reflecting diverse career pathways available to Williams graduates. The distribution spans from $62,574 at the 25th percentile to $145,323 at the 75th percentile, creating a 2.3:1 ratio between top and bottom quartiles. Low-income graduates earn $117,600, ranking at the top 5% nationally and demonstrating exceptional mobility outcomes for students from lower-income backgrounds. This earnings spread indicates that Williams successfully prepares graduates for both high-earning professional careers and meaningful work in fields with more moderate compensation levels, supporting diverse post-graduation pathways.
Approximately 21.8% of Williams graduates continue to graduate or professional school based on program mix analysis. This medium-confidence estimate reflects the institution's strong preparation for advanced study across liberal arts and sciences disciplines. The continuation rate indicates balanced outcomes between immediate workforce entry and further education, supporting diverse post-graduation pathways depending on student career goals and field of study.
Program mix and student pathways explain much of the earnings story.
Program-level earnings demonstrate Williams' strength across diverse academic fields. Computer Science leads with $119,517 median earnings, followed by Applied Economics at $115,082, representing the institution's highest-earning career pathways. Algebra and Number Theory produces $87,931, while liberal arts programs show competitive outcomes with Art History at $72,010 and American History at $72,283. Even traditionally lower-earning fields like Psychology ($57,158) and English Literature ($56,571) achieve solid outcomes, reflecting Williams' ability to develop strong career prospects across disciplines. The earnings range from $49,644 to $119,517 illustrates how program choice significantly influences post-graduation earning potential, while all programs benefit from Williams' strong alumni networks and career development resources. This diversity supports Williams' overall return performance by combining high-earning technical and business fields with strong liberal arts outcomes that exceed typical expectations for humanities disciplines.
See which programs drive the strongest earnings and career trajectories
Upper quartile, 10-year field
Earnings outcomes show meaningful variation reflecting diverse career pathways available to Williams graduates. The distribution spans from $62,574 at the 25th percentile to $145,323 at the 75th percentile, creating a 2.3:1 ratio between top and bottom quartiles. Low-income graduates earn $117,600, ranking at the top 5% nationally and demonstrating exceptional mobility outcomes for students from lower-income backgrounds. This earnings spread indicates that Williams successfully prepares graduates for both high-earning professional careers and meaningful work in fields with more moderate compensation levels, supporting diverse post-graduation pathways.
