Williams College vs Franklin W Olin College of Engineering: which has better ROI?
Franklin W Olin College of Engineering has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $100,684 in 1.2 years versus 1.8 years at Williams College, on median earnings of $129,455 vs $88,665 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Williams College | Franklin W Olin College of Engineering |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $17,716 | $25,171 |
| Total net cost | $70,864 | $100,684 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $88,665 | $129,455 |
| Median debt | $12,761 | $19,500 |
| Payback | 1.8 yrs | 1.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $735,236 | $1,521,216 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Williams College or Franklin W Olin College of Engineering?
Williams College, at $17,716 a year after aid versus $25,171 — a gap of $7,455 a year, or $29,820 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Williams College or Franklin W Olin College of Engineering graduates earn more?
Franklin W Olin College of Engineering graduates report a median $129,455 ten years after entry, $40,790 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, Williams College or Franklin W Olin College of Engineering?
Williams College: its completers carry a median $12,761 in federal loans versus $19,500 at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering, a difference of $6,739. 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 Franklin W Olin College of Engineering, 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.