Wellesley College — College Profile

About

Wellesley College is a premier private women’s liberal arts college renowned for cultivating influential female leaders through a rigorous academic environment. Its standout programs in economics, political science, neuroscience, and computer science are further enriched by unique cross-registration partnerships with MIT and Babson College. Set on a picturesque 500-acre campus surrounding Lake Waban, the student experience fosters a collaborative, civically engaged community rooted in tradition and mutual support. Wellesley is particularly distinguished by its exceptionally powerful alumnae network—often referred to as the "Wellesley Effect"—which provides students with extraordinary lifelong mentorship and career access worldwide.

Wikipedia:Wellesley College is a private women's liberal arts college in Wellesley, Massachusetts, United States. Founded in 1870 by Henry and Pauline Durant as a female seminary, it is one of the Seven Sisters Colleges, an unofficial grouping of women's colleges in the northeastern United States.

Location

Wellesley, MA, 02481-8203 · Suburb campus

✈

Nearest airport from college

BOS · Boston

16 mi away

Open in Google Maps

Cost & aid

Cost of attendance

These figures are federal data and may be out of date.

YoursEveryone

Tuition & fees$67,176

Housing & food (on campus)$21,024

Books & supplies$800

Cost of attendance$86,290

Average net price$25,496

Same price for all students

Tuition & fees$67,176

Housing & food (on campus)$21,024

Books & supplies$800

Cost of attendance$86,290

Average net price$25,496

Source: U.S. College Scorecard

Net price by family income · 2023-24

$0–30k

$2,546

$30–48k

$2,836

$48–75k

$6,587

$75–110k

$11,551

$110k+

$54,188

Your family's actual price → Wellesley College net price calculator

Source: U.S. College Scorecard

Merit aid · 2025-26

Awarded without financial need. Students with financial need can get merit awards too; they're counted as need-based aid.

Average award$55,716

Share of first-years who get one1%

Source: Wellesley College's Common Data Set — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).

Outcomes

Completion

Within 6 yrs

91%

Entered 2017–18

Within 4 yrs

78%

Back for yr 2

97%

Transferred

8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students

92% graduated · 6% transferred · 2% left or unknown · none still enrolled

Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021

6 yrs after entry$65,961

10 yrs after entry$84,803

Debt

Median at graduation$10,000

Monthly payment$106

Middle 50% owe$5.2k–$15k

90th percentile$21,500

Green marks a figure above the typical Baccalaureate — arts & sciences: 69% graduate within 6 yrs, $58,391 earned 10 yrs after entry.

Admissions

Getting in · applied for fall 2024

Admit rate

14%

Test policy

Test optional

Per College Scorecard

SAT average

1520

R 730–770 · M 730–790

ACT midpoint

Comp 33–35 · E 34–36 · M 29–34

SAT middle 50%: 1460–1560

40080012001600

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Essay prompts

How much essays count at Wellesley College: Important (one of four levels: very important · important · considered · not considered)

Source: Wellesley College's Common Data Set for 2024-25 — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures.

If Wellesley College asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body

Gender

Men 0%Women 100%

Who enrolls

Faculty ratio

7 : 1

Pell grant

21%

First-gen

17%

Family income

$59,989

Independent

Age at entry

19.0

Part-time

Race & ethnicity

White

30%

Hispanic

14%

Black

Asian

26%

Two or more

Non-resident

13%

Varsity sports

NCAA Division III without football · EADA 2024-25

Basketball
Women's
Cross Country
Women's
Fencing
Women's
Field Hockey
Women's
Golf
Women's
Lacrosse
Women's
Rowing
Women's
Soccer
Women's
Softball
Women's
Swimming and Diving (combined)
Women's
Tennis
Women's
Track and Field (Indoor)
Women's
Track and Field (Outdoor)
Women's
Volleyball
Women's

Programs & Earnings

Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings

Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021

After 6 yrs

$65,961

After 10 yrs

$84,803

Economics97

Research and Experimental Psychology68

Computer and Information Sciences, General67

Political Science and Government45

Biology, General37

Neurobiology and Neurosciences35

English Language and Literature, General27

Mathematics27

Area Studies22

Computer Software and Media Applications22

Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies21

Natural Resources Conservation and Research20

Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology20

Chemistry20

Sociology19

Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics18

Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.

Institutional

Resources

Endowment

$3.0B

Full-time faculty

80%

Faculty salary

$14,120/mo

Teaching spend

$39,815

per student

Federal loans

16%

Classification

Carnegie type

Baccalaureate — arts & sciences

Research activity

Research college or university

$7M research spending

Undergraduate profile