Campus Vibe
Highly selective — top graduate earnings
Wellesley College is a private institution in Wellesley with particular strength in biology and computer science. With an average SAT of 1513, the school attracts a competitive applicant pool.
A mid-sized campus of 2.3K undergraduates with a 7:1 student-faculty ratio. The suburban location offers a balance of campus life and nearby amenities.
91% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $84,803 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $25,008.
Campus Visits
Plan Your Visit
News & Alerts
Wellesley College Launches New Data Science Minor
Starting Fall 2026, students can pursue an interdisciplinary data science minor combining CS, statistics, and domain courses.
Tuition Increase Announced for 2026-27
The board of trustees approved a 3.2% tuition increase for the upcoming academic year, in line with peer institutions.
Admissions
SAT Score Ranges
Average: 1513
ACT Score Range
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.
Admissions
Application Platforms
Early Decision (Binding)
November 1
Decision by Mid-December
Aid deadline: November 1
Early Decision II (Binding)
January 3
Decision by Mid-February
Regular Decision
January 3
Decision by Late March
Reply by May 1
Wellesley is test-optional, allowing students to choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores
Wellesley requires several supplemental essays exploring why Wellesley and personal perspectives
Financial Aid
Wellesley is need-blind for all applicants, including international students
Cost & Financial Aid
Sticker Price
Net Price by Family Income
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.
Debt & Aid Detail
Net Price Trend
Tuition Trend
Graduate w/ Zero Debt
82.9%
Avg Tuition Increase
3.2%/yr
Median Debt at Grad
$8,700
Campus Safety
Total Incidents (2024)
17
Peer Average
13
3-Year Trend
Emergency System
Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones
Incident Breakdown (2024)
Burglary
Aggravated Assault
Robbery
Motor Vehicle Theft
Sex Offenses
Arson
Drug Arrests
Liquor Arrests
Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).
Academics
Wellesley has distributional requirements across nine areas including literature, fine arts, natural sciences, social sciences, and quantitative reasoning
Research: Extensive research opportunities including Wellesley's Summer Research Program
Thesis: Honors thesis option available across departments
Cross-Registration with MIT
Wellesley students can cross-register for courses at MIT and participate in joint programs
Programs (42)
Student Life
Student Satisfaction
Retention Rate
96%
- •96% first-year retention rate
- •Active student organizations
- •Engaged campus community
Mental Health Services
Counselor Ratio
1:350
24/7 Crisis Line
Yes
Free Sessions
12 per year
Avg Wait
5 days
Walk-in hours available weekdays
Disability Services
ADA-compliant campus with ongoing accessibility improvements
Dining
Rating
★★★★☆
Score
4/5
Meal Plan
$6,200/yr
Multiple dining halls with farm-to-table options
Campus Life
Housing & Residential Life
Housing Styles
Student Body
Race & Ethnicity
Outcomes
Median Earnings After Graduation
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.
Notable Alumni
Hillary Clinton '69
Former U.S. Secretary of State and Senator
Madeleine Albright '59
First female U.S. Secretary of State
Nora Ephron '62
Academy Award-nominated screenwriter and director
Diane Sawyer '67
Broadcast journalist
Cokie Roberts '64
Emmy Award-winning journalist
Mona Hanna-Attisha '95
Pediatrician who exposed Flint water crisis
Janet Yellen (honorary)
U.S. Secretary of the Treasury and economist
Rankings
More About This School
Varsity Sports
History & Fun Facts
- •Its charter was signed on March 17, 1870, by Massachusetts governor William Claflin.
- •The original name of the college was the "Wellesley Female Seminary"; its renaming to Wellesley College was approved by the Massachusetts legislature on March 7, 1873.
- •Wellesley first opened its doors to students on September 8, 1875.
- •Between 1875 and 1921, Wellesley employed more female scientists than any other U.
- •In early 1896, Sarah Frances Whiting, the first professor of physics and astronomy, was among the first U.
Source: Wikipedia
Location & Lifestyle
Cost of Living
Housing and food costs are higher than national average
Climate (School Year)
Nearest Cities
Transit Scores
Local Economy
Getting There
Nearest Airports
Distance to Cities
Getting Around
Walkability
Beautiful, highly walkable campus with shuttle service to Boston and MIT
Visit Planning
Suggested Itinerary
Nearby Hotels
Airport Transit
Nearby Attractions
Wellesley Villagewalkable
Charming downtown with shops and restaurants
Lake Wabanwalkable
Campus lake for kayaking, running, and skating
Davis Museumwalkable
Campus art museum with diverse collections
Boston
Major city accessible via bus or commuter rail
Natick Mall
Large shopping center nearby
Transfer Admission
Fall Transfer
March 1
International Students
English Proficiency Requirements
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