Private nonprofit · Mostly bachelor's degrees · Large suburb

Wellesley College

Wellesley, Massachusetts. 2,300 undergraduates. Admits 14% of applicants.

Massachusetts colleges Official websiteIts net price calculator
91%Graduation rate36 pts above the national median for similar colleges (54%)
$23,995Average net price per year21% above the national median for similar colleges ($19,899)
$90,458Median earnings 10 years after starting54% above the national median for similar colleges ($58,912)
$9,788Median debt at graduation55% below the national median for similar colleges ($21,609)
Our read

Graduates' median debt ($9,788) equals 11% of former students' median earnings ten years after starting ($90,458). That is a light load relative to pay.

What families actually pay

Under $30,000$11,253
$30,000–$48,000$2,791
$48,001–$75,000$5,535
$75,001–$110,000$12,053
Over $110,000$46,438

Average yearly net price for first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, by family income. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Compare net price across collegesPublished tuition and fees: $70,144.

Do students finish, and what do they earn?

MeasureThis collegeSimilar colleges nationally
Graduation rate91%54%
Return for second year96%76%
Median earnings, 6 years after starting$62,408$49,318
Median earnings, 10 years after starting$90,458$58,912
Median debt at graduation$9,788$21,609

Graduation rate within 150% of normal time; retention is the share of first-year students who return. Earnings are medians for former students who received federal aid, working and not enrolled. National comparison is the median for colleges of the same type (mostly bachelor's degrees).

Programs and what graduates earn

39 programs reported
ProgramGraduates / yrMedian earnings, 1 yrMedian earnings, 5 yrsMedian debt
Computer and Information Sciences, General60$105,692$186,284$6,500
Economics79$79,471$144,876$9,672
Computer Software and Media Applications28$67,236$134,819$11,875
Mathematics25—$109,533—
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies18$34,787$100,712—
Political Science and Government40$52,730$83,732$11,378
Area Studies24$54,577$76,800—
English Language and Literature, General22$49,650$72,519—
Research and Experimental Psychology73$46,532$68,234$11,500
Biology, General35$51,735$63,629$11,618
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics22$52,210$59,144—
Sociology16$54,351——
Natural Resources Conservation and Research25$43,748—$11,000
Education, General11$43,429——
Neurobiology and Neurosciences36$42,005—$5,500
Architecture8———
Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services3———
East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics12———
Slavic, Baltic and Albanian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics4———
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies6———
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology20———
Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution10———
Mathematics and Computer Science19———
Medieval and Renaissance Studies3———
Classical and Ancient Studies9———
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other2———
Philosophy16———
Religion/Religious Studies5———
Astronomy and Astrophysics5———
Chemistry21———
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences8———
Physics14———
Anthropology18———
International Relations and National Security Studies19———
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft5———
Film/Video and Photographic Arts5———
Fine and Studio Arts20———
Music4———
History11———

Program-level medians for graduates who received federal aid. A dash means the Department of Education suppressed the figure to protect privacy, usually because the program is small. At four-year colleges, certificate graduates often earned a bachelor's at the same time, so their earnings can reflect the degree. Source: College Scorecard, field of study data.

Getting in

14%Admission rate
1,520Average SAT of admitted students
33–35ACT middle 50%
7:1Students per faculty member
25%Undergraduates with a Pell Grant

Similar colleges in Massachusetts

Smith CollegeNorthampton · net price $25,519 · grad rate 86%University of Massachusetts-AmherstAmherst · net price $22,857 · grad rate 81%Simmons UniversityBoston · net price $23,444 · grad rate 77%Massachusetts Maritime AcademyBuzzards Bay · net price $23,759 · grad rate 73%Amherst CollegeAmherst · net price $19,536 · grad rate 93%Gordon CollegeWenham · net price $25,227 · grad rate 71%

Compare colleges side by side

Quick answers

How much does Wellesley College cost per year?
The average net price at Wellesley College, what students pay after grants and scholarships, is $23,995 per year. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much do Wellesley College graduates earn?
Former Wellesley College students earn a median of $90,458 a year ten years after starting college. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
What is the graduation rate at Wellesley College?
91% of Wellesley College students graduate within 150% of normal time. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much student debt do Wellesley College graduates have?
The median federal student debt at graduation from Wellesley College is $9,788. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.