UMass vs. Wellesley

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Amherst is larger than Wellesley based on total student enrollment (31,726 students vs. 2,407 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Amherst is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Wellesley College is in Wellesley, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wellesley College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Amherst 17:1; Wellesley College 7:1.

UMass vs. Wellesley Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMass 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 UMass ($22,174 vs. $22,948).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Amherst are 20.5% lower than at Wellesley College ($16,710 vs. $21,024).
• Wellesley College is 278% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMass (about $49,404 more per year; $67,176.00 vs. $17,772.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 66.1% higher at Wellesley than at University of Massachusetts Amherst (about $26,727 more per year; $67,176.00 vs. $40,449.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Amherst than at Wellesley College (81% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wellesley College students is 389.1% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Amherst students ($64,116 vs. $13,110).

UMass vs. Wellesley Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UMass 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 UMass.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wellesley College (1510) is 100 points higher than at UMass (1410).
• Incoming Wellesley students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 31 at UMass).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Amherst 1310/1500; Wellesley College 1460/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Amherst 30/33; Wellesley College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMass - Test optional; Wellesley - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMass Jan 15, 2027; Wellesley Jan 8, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UMass students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.99) than students at Wellesley (3.86).
• UMass has a higher acceptance rate (59.7%) than Wellesley (14%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at UMass vs. 47.6% at Wellesley.

UMass vs. Wellesley Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMass 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 University of Massachusetts Amherst's (67%).
• Graduates from Wellesley College earn a median of about $12,900 more per year than UMass graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,100 vs. $55,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wellesley College graduates have a $15,100 lower median loan debt than UMass graduates ($8,900 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, Wellesley graduates have an estimated $156 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UMass graduates ($92 vs. $248).
• More Wellesley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMass students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 76%)

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.