Wellesley College Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
Wellesley College is a private university in Wellesley, Massachusetts, enrolling about 2,300 students. Admission is selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 14.05% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $84,803 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $67,176
- 2024 Average Net Price: $25,496 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 14.05% Selective
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 2,300 100.0% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 91.53%
- Carnegie Classification: Baccalaureate Colleges: Diverse Fields
- First-Generation Students: 17.2%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 3.9% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price increase of 8.5% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 80.0%
- Average SAT Score: 1520
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 2,501
- Applicants (IPEDS): 8,184
- Room & Board: $21,024 annual estimate
Wellesley College: what the data shows
Common questions about Wellesley College, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Wellesley College?
Wellesley College is located in Wellesley, MA (ZIP 02481-8203).
NCES locale classification: Rural fringe.
Is Wellesley College public or private?
Wellesley College is a Private Non-profit institution.
How much does Wellesley College cost?
Published tuition: $67,176.
Average net price after aid: $25,496.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $2,546 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $2,836 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $6,587 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $11,551 |
| $110,001+ | $54,188 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $268,704.
How hard is it to get into Wellesley College?
Admission rate: 14.05%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1520 and midpoint ACT 33.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Wellesley College?
Total enrollment: 2,300 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 2,501 students.
About 100% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Wellesley College?
150%-time completion rate: 91.53%.
First-year retention: 96.5%.
What do graduates of Wellesley College earn?
Median earnings: $65,961 six years after entry; $84,803 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $10,000.
21.13% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Wellesley College known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Econometrics and Quantitative Economics (79 completions)
- Computer and Information Sciences, General (60 completions)
- Research and Experimental Psychology, Other (52 completions)
- Political Science and Government, General (40 completions)
- Neuroscience (36 completions)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General (35 completions)
- Computer Software and Media Applications, Other (28 completions)
- Environmental Studies (25 completions)
- Mathematics, General (25 completions)
- English Language and Literature, General (22 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Wellesley College a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 14.05%; completion rate 91.53%; median earnings $84,803 at 10 years; net price $25,496. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$67,176
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Wellesley College was $67,176.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$25,496
2024 Value
In 2024 Wellesley College had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $25,496.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$101,984 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$25,496 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$268,704 4-Year Tuition
$21,024 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$800 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$89,000 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$356,000 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Wellesley College.
Financial Aid by Income Level
21.13% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
16.13% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Wellesley College was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Wellesley College in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $43,554 | $43,554 | $21,930 |
| 2014 | $45,078 | $45,078 | $21,973 |
| 2015 | $46,836 | $46,836 | $25,429 |
| 2016 | $48,802 | $48,802 | $21,506 |
| 2017 | $51,148 | $51,148 | $23,188 |
| 2018 | $53,732 | $53,732 | $22,247 |
| 2019 | $56,052 | $56,052 | $22,087 |
| 2020 | $58,448 | $58,448 | $23,908 |
| 2021 | $60,752 | $60,752 | $21,561 |
| 2022 | $61,920 | $61,920 | $23,052 |
| 2023 | $64,320 | $64,320 | $25,008 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
14.05% Acceptance Rate
8,184 Total Applicants
1,138 Students Admitted
573 First-Time Students Enrolled
50.35% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution is highly selective, accepting fewer than 3 in 10 applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1520
ACT Average: 33
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.9 - 4.0
Estimated Median GPA: 4.00
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Wellesley College reported total enrollment of about 2,300 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 13% male and 100% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (29.8%), Asian (25.7%), and Hispanic or Latino (14.4%). About 21.13% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 17.2% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
100.0% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Wellesley College in 2024 is 2,300 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 2,501 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
96.5%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 29.8%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
77.69% 100% Completion Time
91.53% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 77.69% of students graduating from Wellesley College completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Econometrics and Quantitative Economics: 0% male / 100% female
- Computer and Information Sciences, General: 0% male / 100% female
- Research and Experimental Psychology, Other: 0% male / 100% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Wellesley College.
Return on Investment
$10,000 Median Student Debt
$84,803 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
11.79% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
731.53% Return on Investment
1.2 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Wellesley College.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 52 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Econometrics and Quantitative Economics: 79 completions
2. Computer and Information Sciences, General: 60 completions
3. Research and Experimental Psychology, Other: 52 completions
4. Political Science and Government, General: 40 completions
5. Neuroscience: 36 completions
6. Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 35 completions
7. Computer Software and Media Applications, Other: 28 completions
8. Environmental Studies: 25 completions
9. Mathematics, General: 25 completions
Most popular programs at Wellesley College.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Wellesley College graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Wellesley College from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 80.0%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $14,120
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $39,815
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Wellesley College is a private non-profit institution located in Wellesley, MA, classified as Baccalaureate Colleges: Diverse Fields. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Econometrics and Quantitative Economics, Computer and Information Sciences, General, Research and Experimental Psychology, Other. Enrollment is approximately 2,300 students. Student body composition includes White (29.8%), Asian (25.7%), Hispanic or Latino (14.4%). It is highly selective, with an admission rate of 14.05%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1520. The 150%-time completion rate is 91.53%. Approximately 21.13% of students receive Pell Grants. About 17.2% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Private Non-profit
Carnegie Classification: Baccalaureate Colleges: Diverse Fields
Location
Wellesley, MA 02481-8203
Region: New England
Insights and Analysis
Exceptional Graduation Rate: With a 91.53% graduation rate, Wellesley College demonstrates strong student retention and completion. This rate significantly exceeds the national average, indicating effective academic support and student services.
Strong Career Outcomes: Wellesley College graduates report median earnings of $84,803 ten years after entry, placing them among the higher-earning college graduates nationally. This strong earnings potential reflects both the quality of education and the career opportunities available to graduates.
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 52 distinct degree programs, Wellesley College provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Wellesley College located?
Wellesley College is located in Wellesley, MA.
What is Wellesley College's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Wellesley College is 14.1% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 8,184 applicants and 1,138 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does Wellesley College cost?
Reported tuition is $67,176 and average net price is $25,496 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $21,024 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Wellesley College?
Wellesley College reports undergraduate enrollment of about 2,501 students, White (29.8%), Asian (25.7%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Wellesley College?
About 17.2% of students at Wellesley College are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Wellesley College?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Wellesley College reports midpoint SAT about 1520 and midpoint ACT about 33.
What do graduates of Wellesley College earn?
Median earnings are $65,961 six years after entry and $84,803 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Wellesley College?
The 150%-time completion rate is 91.5% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Wellesley College students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $10,000.
Is Wellesley College public or private?
Wellesley College is a private nonprofit institution located in Wellesley, MA.
Is Wellesley College an HBCU?
No. Wellesley College is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Wellesley College a tribal college?
No. Wellesley College is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Massachusetts college costs
- Massachusetts colleges by ROI
- New England regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Massachusetts
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.