Overview
Wellesley College is a private women’s liberal arts college established in 1870. With a suburban campus spanning 500 acres, it enrolls 2,417 undergraduates (as of fall 2023) and follows a semester-based academic calendar. In the 2025 Best Colleges rankings, Wellesley holds the #7 spot among National Liberal Arts Colleges. Tuition and fees stand at $67,176.
Wellesley College Rankings
To get a fuller sense of what Wellesley offers, check out its standings in various categories:
- #7 in National Liberal Arts Colleges
- #8 in Best Value Schools
- #37 in Economics (tie)
- #21 in Writing in the Disciplines (tie)
- #36 in Undergraduate Research/Creative Projects (tie)
- #50 in First-Year Experiences (tie)
- #23 in Best Undergraduate Teaching (tie)
- #33 in Most Innovative Schools (tie)
- #17 in Top Performers on Social Mobility
Wellesley ranks #7 out of 211 National Liberal Arts Colleges. These rankings are based on widely accepted measures of academic excellence.
U.S. News Overall Score (out of 100): 94
- Outcomes (52%)
- Average 6-year graduation rate: 92%
- 6-year graduation rate (Pell Grant recipients): 86%
- 6-year graduation rate (non-Pell Grant recipients): 92%
Wellesley College Admissions
- Acceptance rate: 14%
- Mid-range test scores (middle 50% of admitted students):
- SAT: 1440–1550
- ACT: 33–35
- Application deadline: January 8
- Key factors in admissions:
- GPA (very important)
- High school class rank (important, when available)
- Letters of recommendation (very important)
Admissions Stats
- Application deadline: Jan. 8
- Application fee: N/A
- Acceptance rate: 14%
Tuition & Financial Aid
Wellesley’s tuition and fees total $67,176, which is higher than the national average of $51,147. This “sticker price” covers tuition and fees, but additional costs like housing, meals, books, and personal expenses bring the total cost to $87,290.
However, the average net price (after aid and scholarships) is $21,793 for students receiving need-based aid.
Net Price by Family Income (2021-2022)
| Family Income | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| $0–$30,000 | $10,197 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $7,815 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $15,240 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $29,986 |
| $110,001+ | $52,206 |
- Room & board: $21,024
Academics
- Student-faculty ratio: 7:1
- Small class sizes: 65.1% of classes have fewer than 20 students
- Top majors (2023 graduates):
- Social Sciences (25%)
- Biological & Biomedical Sciences (12%)
- Computer & Information Sciences (12%)
- Psychology (9%)
- Physical Sciences (6%)
- Visual & Performing Arts (5%)
- Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies (5%)
- English (4%)
- Foreign Languages (4%)
- Freshman retention rate (student satisfaction indicator): 95%
Student Life
- Total enrollment (fall 2023): 2,417 undergraduates
- Gender distribution: 98.6% female, 1.4% male
- Housing: 92% live on campus; 9% live off campus
- Athletics: NCAA Division III
Campus & Safety
Wellesley provides various student services, including tutoring, a women’s center, health services, and health insurance. Campus security features:
- 24/7 foot and vehicle patrols
- Late-night transport/escort service
- Emergency phones and lighted pathways
- Controlled dorm access (key or security card)
- Alcohol permitted for students of legal age