Area Studies at Williams College
Bachelor's Degree
Earnings Distribution
How Williams College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Williams College graduates earn $39k, placing them in the 62th percentile of all area studies bachelors programs nationally.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in Massachusetts
Area Studies bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Massachusetts (28 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Williams College | $38,595 | $67,794 | $19,000* | — |
| Amherst College | $49,149 | $49,923 | —* | — |
| Tufts University | $44,133 | $54,435 | —* | — |
| Brandeis University | $43,748 | $55,201 | $26,000* | 0.59 |
| Wellesley College | $43,231 | $55,437 | $9,525* | 0.22 |
| Smith College | $29,878 | $40,081 | $19,000* | 0.64 |
| National Median | $34,211 | — | $20,552* | 0.60 |
Other Area Studies Programs in Massachusetts
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Massachusetts schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amherst College Amherst | $67,280 | $49,149 | — |
| Tufts University Medford | $67,844 | $44,133 | — |
| Brandeis University Waltham | $64,946 | $43,748 | $26,000 |
| Wellesley College Wellesley | $64,320 | $43,231 | $9,525 |
| Smith College Northampton | $61,568 | $29,878 | $19,000 |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Williams College, approximately 17% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 24 graduates with reported earnings and 14 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.