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.
A directional estimate — not a prediction
Admitted students at Wellesley College typically demonstrate exceptional academic preparation across all standardized measures. SAT scores for enrolled students range from 1440 at the 25th percentile to 1550 at the 75th percentile, with a median of 1513. This means most admitted students score between 1440 and 1550, placing them among the highest we track nationally. Math scores specifically range from 720 to 780, while verbal scores span 720 to 770, indicating balanced excellence across both sections. ACT scores range from 33 to 35 with a median of 33, reflecting similarly outstanding performance on the alternative standardized test. These scores exceed peer medians by 257 SAT points and 6 ACT points, demonstrating Wellesley's position among academically elite institutions. Students scoring below 1440 on the SAT should expect to face competitive disadvantage but are not automatically excluded from consideration. If your scores fall within the 1440-1550 range, you are academically competitive for admission, though scores represent just one component of holistic evaluation. Students should consider whether their academic profile aligns with these ranges when building their college application strategy. The consistency of these high academic standards reflects Wellesley's commitment to enrolling students prepared for rigorous liberal arts education.
Understanding institutional priorities and student support
Wellesley College enrolls students from diverse backgrounds within the context of highly selective admission. The college enrolls 20.6% Pell-eligible students, indicating that roughly 1 in 5 students comes from lower-income families. First-generation college students comprise 17.2% of the student body, reflecting Wellesley's commitment to educational access alongside academic excellence. Transfer students represent just 2.7% of enrollment, indicating limited opportunities for students seeking to transfer from other institutions. While these diversity measures are lower than at public institutions, they demonstrate that Wellesley actively enrolls students from varied economic backgrounds despite competitive admission standards. The student composition reflects both the college's selective nature and its efforts to maintain socioeconomic diversity within that selectivity. Students from all backgrounds should understand that admitted students represent exceptional academic achievement combined with diverse personal experiences and perspectives. First-generation students should know that 17.2% of enrolled students share their background, indicating institutional familiarity with supporting students navigating college as family pioneers. Students from lower-income families should consider the 20.6% Pell share when assessing cultural and social fit within the community.
Given Wellesley's 13.9% acceptance rate, most applicants will need backup options. The schools below deliver comparable career outcomes with more accessible admission or different advantages.
Strong options in your region with comparable outcomes.
Students who enroll at Wellesley College demonstrate exceptional persistence and completion outcomes. 96.2% of freshmen return for sophomore year, compared to a peer median of 83.1%, indicating strong student satisfaction and institutional support systems. The six-year graduation rate reaches 91.2%, substantially exceeding the peer median of 70.0% and reflecting effective student support through degree completion. Pell-eligible students graduate at 91.8%, creating a positive completion gap of 0.6 percentage points above the overall rate. This reversed gap is unusual among highly selective institutions and indicates particularly strong support systems for lower-income students. The minimal difference between overall and Pell completion rates suggests that students from all economic backgrounds receive effective academic and social support for degree completion. Students who gain admission can expect consistently strong institutional support for academic success regardless of their family income background. Prospective students should view these retention and completion rates as indicators of the academic environment and community support they will experience. The data suggests that students who are admitted and enroll at Wellesley typically thrive academically and complete their degrees successfully.
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