Established in 1793 with funds bequeathed by Colonel Ephraim Williams, the college is private, residential, and liberal arts, with graduate programs in the history of art and in development economics.
Williams admits U.S. students without regard to their ability to pay. The college meets 100 percent of every admitted student’s demonstrated financial need for four years, and is the first school in the country to offer “all-grant” financial aid, with no loans or required earnings contributions. Just over half of all Williams students receive financial aid from the college.