Wellesley College
Wellesley College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Wellesley College at a Glance
Wellesley College is a private women's liberal arts college in Wellesley, Massachusetts, United States. Founded in 1870 by Henry and Pauline Durant as a female seminary, it is one of the Seven Sisters Colleges, an unofficial grouping of women's colleges in the northeastern United States.
1870
156 years old
$3.2B
$3.19 billion (2025)
2,285
338
500 acres
Identity
How to Apply to Wellesley College
Official admissions pageJanuary 8
November 1 (Early Decision I) / January 1 (Early Decision II)
$50
Fee waiver available
2 required
Testing policy
Recommendation letters
Essays
Interview
Fee waiver
Is Wellesley College Worth It?
Wellesley College delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $25,496/year, it's priced 25% above average, while graduates go on to earn $84,803 — 58% above the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
With a 91% graduation rate, the vast majority of students finish their degree and reach these earning outcomes.
Admission is competitive with a 14% acceptance rate, so applicants should have strong academic credentials.
Median student debt of $10,000 is manageable at just 12% of first-year post-graduation earnings.
Bottom line: Wellesley College delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How Wellesley College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in MA
Ranked #10 of 24 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Bowdoin College | 100 | $14,398 | $82,735 |
| #2 | Colby College | 100 | $17,180 | $80,490 |
| #3 | Williams College | 100 | $17,716 | $88,665 |
| #4 | Davidson College | 100 | $17,379 | $81,400 |
| #5 | Pomona College | 94 | $19,285 | $77,779 |
| #6 | Washington and Lee University | 94 | $23,781 | $94,810 |
| #10 | Wellesley College | 76 | $25,496 | $84,803 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Wellesley College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 3 in MA.
Best Programs at Wellesley College
The highest-earning program at Wellesley College is Computer and Information Sciences, General at $88,600/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Biology, General at $32,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer and Information Sciences, General graduate from Wellesley College earns $88,600, while a Biology, General graduate earns $32,000. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Computer and Information Sciences, General graduates carry $9,325 in median debt vs. $8,700 for Biology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $25,496/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $88,600 | $88,600 | $9,325 |
| Economics | $67,800 | $67,800 | $9,025 |
| Psychology, General | $39,100 | $39,100 | $8,599 |
| Political Science and Government | $37,700 | $37,700 | $6,670 |
| Area Studies | $35,800 | $35,800 | $10,000 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $33,800 | $33,800 | $7,278 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $33,400 | $33,400 | N/A |
| Biology, General | $32,000 | $32,000 | $8,700 |
Similar Colleges in MA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Wellesley, MA
- Student Body
- 2,300 students
- Admission Rate
- 14%
- Graduation Rate
- 91%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $25,496
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $84,803
- Median Student Debt
- $10,000