MHC vs. Wellesley

Comparable Facts

Compare Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA with Wellesley College in Wellesley, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wellesley College is larger than MHC based on total student enrollment (2,407 students vs. 2,275 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mount Holyoke College is located in South Hadley, MA (Large Suburban setting); Wellesley College is in Wellesley, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Mount Holyoke College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wellesley College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mount Holyoke College 9:1; Wellesley College 7:1.

MHC vs. Wellesley Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MHC or Wellesley? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Wellesley College than MHC ($22,174 vs. $32,526).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mount Holyoke College are 6.4% lower than at Wellesley College ($19,684 vs. $21,024).
• Wellesley College is 0.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than MHC (about $158 more per year; $67,176.00 vs. $67,018.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.2% higher at Wellesley than at Mount Holyoke College (about $158 more per year; $67,176.00 vs. $67,018.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount Holyoke College than at Wellesley College (77% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wellesley College students is 22.3% larger than aid received by Mount Holyoke College students ($64,116 vs. $52,418).

MHC vs. Wellesley Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MHC or Wellesley? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Wellesley and MHC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wellesley College (1510) is 50 points higher than at MHC (1460).
• Incoming Wellesley students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at MHC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount Holyoke College 1380/1530; Wellesley College 1460/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount Holyoke College 32/35; Wellesley College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MHC - Test optional; Wellesley - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MHC Jan 15, 2027; Wellesley Jan 8, 2027.
• Accepted freshman MHC students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Wellesley (3.86).
• MHC has a higher acceptance rate (36%) than Wellesley (14%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at MHC vs. 47.6% at Wellesley.

MHC vs. Wellesley Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MHC and Wellesley? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Wellesley College's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Mount Holyoke College's (85%).
• Graduates from Wellesley College earn a median of about $18,100 more per year than MHC graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,100 vs. $50,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wellesley College graduates have a $12,306 lower median loan debt than MHC graduates ($8,900 vs. $21,206).
• Among borrowers, Wellesley graduates have an estimated $127 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MHC graduates ($92 vs. $219).
• More Wellesley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MHC students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 77%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.