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Wellesley College
Wellesley, MA
Wellesley College, founded in 1870, is a private women's liberal arts college located in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Renowned for its academic excellence and commitment to empowering women, Wellesley has consistently been ranked as one of the top women's colleges in the United States. The college offers over 50 majors and minors across various fields of study, including humanities, social sciences, sciences, and pre-professional programs.
One of the defining features of Wellesley College is its rigorous academic environment. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 8:1 and an average class size of 17, students benefit from close interactions with their professors and a personalized educational experience. The college emphasizes critical thinking, research, and problem-solving skills, ensuring that students are well-equipped for future careers or further education.
Beyond academic pursuits, Wellesley College provides numerous opportunities for personal and leadership development. The campus is home to a vibrant community, fostering a strong sense of camaraderie among the students. The college offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, including more than 150 student-run organizations, club sports, and cultural groups. Additionally, the high-powered alumnae network provides valuable connections and mentorship opportunities for students as they move forward in their careers.
Overall, Wellesley College offers a premier liberal arts education for women, nurturing holistic growth and empowering students to become leaders in their fields of choice. Its commitment to academic excellence, combined with a supportive community, creates an environment where women can thrive academically, personally, and professionally. Wellesley College continues to prepare women for impactful and meaningful contributions to society, inspiring them to make a difference in their chosen paths.
Wellesley College is a private four-year college located in Wellesley, MA and set in a suburban environment. This school follows a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 13%. The freshman retention rate at Wellesley College is 96% and the six-year graduation rate is 91%.
For freshmen, the application deadline for this school is January 8. The transfer application deadline is March 1.
Read more about what you can expect if you get into Wellesley College.
Quick Facts
2,417
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
13%
Acceptance Rate
$66,880
Tuition
7:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
91%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
You need to find out as much as you can about the entrance requirements of the institution in order to increase your chances of being accepted. How difficult is it to get admitted to Wellesley College and what are the admission requirements?
According to the newest information reported, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 1,138 in 2024. Wellesley College has an official test-optional admission policy but takes into consideration standardized test scores for the applicants who choose to submit them. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is one of the most difficult schools to get into. Having a long tradition of academic success and a dedication to encouraging intellectual curiosity, Wellesley College provides a superior educational experience.
Test Scores
42% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 17% submitted ACT scores, out of the total number of those who submitted test scores. 90% of the enrolled students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 7% between 1,200 and 1,399 and 3% between 1,000 and 1,199. The percent of new students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 95 and 5 between 24-29.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by January 8. If considering applying as a transfer student, note that the application deadline is March 1.
13%
Acceptance Rate
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is the percentage of college or university newcomers who return for their sophomore year. This piece of data is important as it can reveal to the prospective students how many freshmen liked the school enough to return to it as sophomores.
As reported in 2024, the freshman retention rate for Wellesley College was 96%, which is an outstanding retention rate only the most prestigious institutions have.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. This metric measures how efficiently students complete their degrees within a specific time period. The six-year graduation rate at this institution stands at 91%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Making the choice of which school is the best fit for you is not easy. Gaining a better insight into a school's student body helps you learn more about its culture and life.
Main Student Body
In 2024, the school enrolled 2,417 students.
That year, the institution had an out-of-state student body percentage of 85.7. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 2,417, 322 of which were international students. The school admitted a total of 16 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a only women student body, the school had 1 male and 2,334 female full-time students in 2024.
Student Population Diversity
Higer Education is committed to expanding the diversity of its student population and improving students' sense of inclusion and belonging. In a diverse learning space, you will be exposed to people from different backgrounds, which promotes the feeling of inclusion and acceptance. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
In 2024, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of students of Asian origin was 547, while the number of Black American students was 196. 368 undergraduate students at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 163 identified with more than one race. The school also had 4 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 3 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 7 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Financial planning for school is one of the most important things to consider before you apply. Here are some important data on Wellesley College costs that most students encounter at this school.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some numbers that can help you better understand the estimated tuition fees for this university.
In 2024, tuition amounted to $66,880 for all full-time domestic students. As this is a private institution, there is no difference in tuition for out-of-state or international students. Full-time students in 2024 needed to pay additional fees in the amount of $296.
Books and Supplies
Another important financial factor to take into consideration is the approximate price of books and supplies for a college or university. Most students have to spend about $800 for books and supplies during their time at Wellesley College.
Boarding
The cost of dorm rooms and meals in the school's cafeteria is for sure something to take into consideration. How much do room and board fees average around at colleges and universities?
In 2024, the price of room and board at Wellesley College was $21,024 per academic year. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school added up to $10,904, according to the data from 2024.
| Tuition | $ 66,880 |
| Room and Board | $ 21,024 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 800 |
| Total Expense | $ 88,704 |
Financial Aid
Grants, loans, scholarships, work-study programs: these are all different types of financial support for students. If you want to find out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at Wellesley College, here are some recent data you should take into consideration.
According to the most recent data, 318 freshmen were awarded financial aid. The average financial aid package awarded to students came to $67,467.
Need-based
Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.
1,239 students were awarded some form of need-based financial aid. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Wellesley College is available to international students. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need came to be 1,281. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution came to $3,599,818, and state $336,700. The students of Wellesley College received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $76,211,208, and external in the amount of $1,160,816.
$43,713
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the TEACH Grant.
16 students, including freshmen, received institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid at this school in 2024. Institutional help in the form of non-need-based scholarships or grants was given to 5 full-time freshmen. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $194,874. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $1,216,727 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Open Applications
Find open programs by choosing your preferred academic interest from the list below, and select your desired term start. Get started with your application process and find more information using the Apply button.
The Common Application for Transfer (Common App for transfer)
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Undergrad Transfer Program (NOTE: Wellesley is a Women's College)
Undergrad Transfer Program (NOTE: Wellesley is a Women's College)
ApplyStart Year: 2025
Start Term: Fall
Application Deadline: 2025-03-01
Majors
Faculty
7:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Knowing more about a school's faculty can help you gauge the caliber of the education it can provide to you.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at Wellesley College was 7:1: that means 7 students per one teacher, which is considered a good ratio. According to the most recent information, there are 342 teachers at this school. This number included 128 male and 214 female faculty members. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school is telling of the importance gender equality has at Wellesley College.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Not everything at Wellesley College is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Find out some details about social life at Wellesley College.
Its campus spans 500 acres.
Student Organizations
Student organizations are run by students of an institution, and its membership typically consists only of current students and/or alumni.
According to the most recent information, there are 160 open-membership organizations at Wellesley College. The student organization that has the biggest membership is theatre groups, followed by societies and cultural clubs. Other popular organizations at Wellesley College are community service organizations and Student Government.
If you have an interest in acting, there's a drama club you can be a part of. For individuals with an interest in media and communication, Wellesley College publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
At Wellesley College, there are many amenities required for a comfortable and safe life on campus.
There are 24-hour emergency phone and alarm devices. The school has electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a security patrol that operates 24 hours a day. The late-night transport/escort service is available.
This school has a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Women's Center are available to the students of Wellesley College.
All in all, campus life at Wellesley College is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Wellesley College.
Career Counselling
At Wellesley College, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be a great asset for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
FAQ
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Wellesley College is located in Wellesley, MA.
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Wellesley College offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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The overall full-time tuition per academic year for Wellesley College is 66,880 USD, based on the most recent data.
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This school has an official test-optional admission policy but makes use of SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, or other standardized test scores in admission decisions for the candidates who choose to submit them.
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The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for Wellesley College is 13%.
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According to the latest information, the freshman retention rate for Wellesley College is 96%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.