Northeastern vs. Wellesley

Comparable Facts

Compare Northeastern University in Boston, MA with Wellesley College in Wellesley, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northeastern University is larger than Wellesley based on total student enrollment (32,553 students vs. 2,407 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northeastern University is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Wellesley College is in Wellesley, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Northeastern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wellesley College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northeastern University 16:1; Wellesley College 7:1.

Northeastern vs. Wellesley Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northeastern 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 Northeastern ($22,174 vs. $34,207).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northeastern University are 6.9% lower than at Wellesley College ($19,580 vs. $21,024).
• Wellesley College is 1.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northeastern (about $1,014 more per year; $67,176.00 vs. $66,162.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.5% higher at Wellesley than at Northeastern University (about $1,014 more per year; $67,176.00 vs. $66,162.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northeastern University than at Wellesley College (66% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wellesley College students is 27.2% larger than aid received by Northeastern University students ($64,116 vs. $50,421).

Northeastern vs. Wellesley Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northeastern 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 Northeastern.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wellesley College (1510) is 20 points higher than at Northeastern (1490).
• Incoming Northeastern students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Wellesley (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northeastern University 1440/1540; Wellesley College 1460/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northeastern University 33/35; Wellesley College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northeastern - Test optional; Wellesley - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northeastern Jan 1, 2027; Wellesley Jan 8, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northeastern students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Wellesley (3.86).
• Wellesley has a higher acceptance rate (14%) than Northeastern (5.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Northeastern vs. 47.6% at Wellesley.

Northeastern vs. Wellesley Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northeastern 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 Northeastern University's (77%).
• Graduates from Northeastern University earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than Wellesley graduates about ten years after starting college ($69,500 vs. $68,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wellesley College graduates have a $18,975 lower median loan debt than Northeastern graduates ($8,900 vs. $27,875).
• Among borrowers, Wellesley graduates have an estimated $196 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northeastern graduates ($92 vs. $288).
• More Wellesley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northeastern students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 79%)

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.