Wellesley College combines highly selective admission with exceptional post-graduation earnings among the top 5% nationally. As a Selective Achiever institution, the college delivers premium career outcomes with remarkably low debt levels, creating favorable conditions for long-term financial success.
With top-tier outcomes, driven by high graduate earnings relative to educational investment
With above average performance, reflecting controlled net costs and exceptionally low debt levels
With well above average performance, reflecting moderate enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students within the context of selective admission
With above average performance, combining limited access with strong economic outcomes for enrolled students
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisWellesley College delivers exceptional earnings outcomes while maintaining remarkably low debt levels for graduates. Median earnings reach $84,803 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 95th percentile nationally and exceeding peer institutions by $21,737 annually.
The earnings distribution spans from $55,457 at the 25th percentile to $141,028 at the 75th percentile, reflecting diverse career paths and strong upward potential across fields. Low-income graduates earn $79,600, placing Wellesley among the top 5% nationally for outcomes among students from lower-income backgrounds.
High-achieving students seeking a highly selective liberal arts education with strong post-graduation earnings. Best suited for academically exceptional students who can navigate competitive admission (13.9% acceptance rate) and value the long-term career outcomes that accompany prestige-level education.
Well-positioned for students planning graduate study or careers requiring strong analytical foundations.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
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This is the Wellesley College hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/wellesley-college/analysis.
Top 5% nationally for graduate earnings
Wellesley College ranks #207 nationally in Azimuth's analysis, with return performance at the 92.4th percentile reflecting top-tier outcomes for graduates. Located in Wellesley, Massachusetts, this medium-sized private nonprofit college maintains highly selective admission standards with a 13.9% acceptance rate while delivering exceptional post-graduation earnings.
Wellesley enrolls 20.6% Pell-eligible students and 17.2% first-generation students, positioning it as a Selective Achiever institution that serves fewer low-income students while producing strong career outcomes. Graduates earn a median of $84,803 ten years after enrollment, placing Wellesley in the 95th percentile nationally for long-term earnings.
This performance exceeds the peer median of $63,066 by $21,737 annually. With outstanding SAT scores among the highest we track and a 96.2% retention rate, Wellesley combines academic selectivity with sustained educational excellence that translates into robust professional outcomes.
Wellesley College admits approximately 13.9% of applicants, meaning roughly 1 in 7 applicants receives an offer of admission. This places Wellesley among the highly selective institutions in the United States, with admission rates significantly below typical four-year colleges.
The peer median admission rate of 70.6% highlights the stark difference between Wellesley's selectivity and typical liberal arts institutions. Even among elite private colleges, Wellesley's acceptance rate places it in the most competitive tier.
This level of selectivity means that even academically exceptional students face meaningful uncertainty in the admission process. Students with outstanding credentials may not receive admission simply due to the volume of highly qualified applicants competing for limited spots.
The admission process evaluates applicants holistically, considering academic achievement alongside personal qualities and institutional fit. For this reason, students considering Wellesley should build comprehensive college lists that include institutions with higher acceptance rates but comparable academic quality.
Treating Wellesley as a reach school regardless of academic qualifications represents sound application strategy. The sections below provide detailed academic profiles and alternative schools that deliver similar post-graduation outcomes with more accessible admission processes.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Wellesley College's published cost of attendance reaches $83,050 per year, comprising $64,320 in tuition, $19,920 for room and board, and $800 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays significantly less after financial aid, with a net price of $25,008 representing substantial savings of $58,042 from the sticker price.
This net price falls $2,135 below the peer median of $27,143, indicating competitive affordability despite the premium sticker price. The financial aid system creates dramatically different costs based on family income, with net prices ranging from $634 for middle-low income families to $50,305 for high-income families.
This progressive pricing structure enables students from diverse economic backgrounds to access Wellesley's education, with lower-income students receiving the most substantial assistance. Federal College Scorecard data shows that families across income levels receive meaningful aid, making Wellesley more accessible than the sticker price suggests.
The average financial aid package of $58,042 represents nearly 70% of the total cost, demonstrating the institution's commitment to affordability through generous need-based assistance.
Wellesley College graduates demonstrate steady earnings progression over time, with median income rising from $65,961 six years after enrollment to $72,216 at eight years and reaching $84,803 at ten years. This represents 28.6% growth from the six-year mark, indicating strong mid-career advancement.
These outcomes reflect a ten-year cohort of 266 graduates, providing robust confidence in the reported figures. Graduates earn $79,600 when from low-income backgrounds, ranking among the top 5% nationally for economic mobility outcomes.
The earnings distribution shows significant variation, with the 75th percentile reaching $141,028 compared to $55,457 at the 25th percentile, a 2.5:1 ratio reflecting differences in career paths and field selection. Approximately 21.2% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study according to federal estimates, indicating balanced preparation for both advanced education and immediate workforce entry.
Wellesley's earnings performance places it well above typical outcomes for similar liberal arts institutions.
Artificial Intelligence.
47 graduates
Applied Economics.
82 graduates
American Government and Politics (United States).
48 graduates
Art History, Criticism and Conservation.
24 graduates
African-American/Black Studies.
20 graduates
Wellesley College offers 12 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for analysis. Artificial Intelligence ranks #11 nationally and #1 in Massachusetts, graduating 47 students with exceptional median earnings of $132,277 and a value score of 95.0.
Applied Economics ranks #54 nationally and #9 in Massachusetts, producing 82 graduates with strong median earnings of $91,749. Art History, Criticism and Conservation stands out with a #4 national ranking and #2 state ranking, graduating 24 students earning $62,358.
English Language and Literature ranks #19 nationally and #3 in Massachusetts with 27 graduates earning $54,525. African-American/Black Studies achieves #4 national ranking and #1 state ranking, demonstrating Wellesley's strength across both technical and liberal arts disciplines.
Several programs including Applied Economics, Behavioral Neuroscience, and American Government represent flagship offerings with substantial enrollment and strong career outcomes.
Consider these schools with similar outcomes but higher acceptance rates:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Massachusetts Maritime Academy Higher acceptance rate (80.6 percentage points higher) and located 52 miles away; similar graduate earnings | MA | 95% | $82,392 | Compare |
Brandeis University Higher acceptance rate (21.4 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 6 miles away; similar graduate earnings | MA | 35% | $77,231 | Compare |
Trinity College Higher acceptance rate (19.6 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 80 miles away; similar graduate earnings | CT | 34% | $90,779 | Compare |
Union College Higher acceptance rate (29.9 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | NY | 44% | $88,604 | Compare |
Binghamton University Higher acceptance rate (23.8 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | NY | 38% | $80,596 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Davidson College Similar quality tier (#204 ranked) | NC | 14% | $81,400 | #204 | Compare |
Illinois Institute Of Technology Similar quality tier (#207 ranked) | IL | 55% | $82,592 | #207 | Compare |
Swarthmore College Similar quality tier in Northeast (#190 ranked) | PA | 7% | $80,257 | #190 | Compare |
Saint Xavier University Similar quality tier (#189 ranked) | IL | 86% | $58,656 | #189 | Compare |
Williams College Similar quality tier in Northeast (#185 ranked) | MA | 10% | $88,665 | #185 | Compare |