About

About Wellesley College

womens collegesmall class sizesliberal arts college

Wellesley College is a private liberal arts college in Wellesley, MA, known for its womens college, small class sizes, and liberal arts college. With an acceptance rate of 14%, Wellesley College is highly selective, typically enrolling around 585 students each year. Wellesley College is test optional; students who submit scores are typically admitted with SATs between 1460–1540, though many competitive applicants choose not to submit. Wellesley College meets 100% of demonstrated financial need and has replaced loans with grants; for families earning under $100,000, the net cost is often $0.

Admissions

Wellesley College acceptance rate and admitted student profile

highly selective

14%
Overall Accept Rate
1500
Median Admitted SAT
SATSubmitted score range: 1460 – 1540 (test optional)

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ED advantage at Wellesley College: ED acceptance rate is 29% vs 14% regular decision, more than double. If Wellesley Collegeis your first choice and you've confirmed the financial fit, Early Decision is one of the highest-leverage decisions you can make.

Application Strategy

Strategy tips for applying to Wellesley College

The first 2 tips apply to all applicants. Your personalized strategy requires your profile — build your free list to unlock it.

Essay Strategy
Wellesley's supplemental essays ask you to engage directly with their mission of educating women who will make a difference in the world. Show how your specific goals connect to that mission, not just to academics in general.
Essay Strategy
Reference specific Wellesley programs like the Albright Institute, the Davis Degree Program, or particular faculty research when writing your Why Wellesley essay, because vague enthusiasm will not stand out at a 14% acceptance rate.

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Financial Aid & Cost

What Wellesley College actually costs your family

Average net prices by income bracket from College Scorecard data.

Loan-free financial aid: Wellesley College has replaced all loans with grants. For families earning under $100,000, the average net annual cost is $0. Wellesley College's sticker price of ~$81k/year bears almost no resemblance to what most families pay.
Family IncomeSticker PriceEst. Net Cost / yr
0-30kOften $0~$81k/yr~$0 / yr
30k-48kOften $0~$81k/yr~$0 / yr
48k-75kOften $0~$81k/yr~$0 / yr
75k-110k~$81k/yr$11.6k
110k+~$81k/yr$54.2k

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Outcomes & Campus

Student outcomes and campus profile

91%
6-Year Graduation Rate
$66k
Median Earnings (6 yrs)
7:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
2,668
Undergrad Enrollment
Wellesley College Acceptance Rate & Admissions | SpearMatch