Massachusetts Institute of Technology vs Williams College: which has better ROI?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $80,444 in 0.8 years versus 1.8 years at Williams College, on median earnings of $143,372 vs $88,665 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Williams College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $20,111 | $17,716 |
| Total net cost | $80,444 | $70,864 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $143,372 | $88,665 |
| Median debt | $14,768 | $12,761 |
| Payback | 0.8 yrs | 1.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $1,819,796 | $735,236 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Williams College?
Williams College, at $17,716 a year after aid versus $20,111 — a gap of $2,395 a year, or $9,580 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Williams College graduates earn more?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates report a median $143,372 ten years after entry, $54,707 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.
Which leaves students with less debt, Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Williams College?
Williams College: its completers carry a median $12,761 in federal loans versus $14,768 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a difference of $2,007. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
96% of students finish at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 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.