Head-to-head comparison
Harvard University vs Williams College: which has better ROI?
Option A Cambridge, MA
Harvard University
- Net price / year
- $19,066
- Earnings, 10 years
- $101,817
- Payback
- 1.4 yrs
Option B Williamstown, MA
Williams College
- Net price / year
- $17,716
- Earnings, 10 years
- $88,665
- Payback
- 1.8 yrs
Harvard University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $76,264 in 1.4 years versus 1.8 years at Williams College, on median earnings of $101,817 vs $88,665 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Harvard University | Williams College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $19,066 | $17,716 |
| Total net cost | $76,264 | $70,864 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $101,817 | $88,665 |
| Median debt | $14,000 | $12,761 |
| Payback | 1.4 yrs | 1.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $992,876 | $735,236 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Harvard University or Williams College?
Williams College, at $17,716 a year after aid versus $19,066 — a gap of $1,350 a year, or $5,400 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do Harvard University or Williams College graduates earn more?
Harvard University graduates report a median $101,817 ten years after entry, $13,152 more than the $88,665 at Williams College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, Harvard University or Williams College?
Williams College: its completers carry a median $12,761 in federal loans versus $14,000 at Harvard University, a difference of $1,239. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
98% of students finish at Harvard University, against 94% at Williams College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.