Wellesley vs. Carleton College

Comparable Facts

Compare Wellesley College in Wellesley, MA with Carleton College in Northfield, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wellesley College is larger than Carleton College based on total student enrollment (2,407 students vs. 2,128 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wellesley College is located in Wellesley, MA (Large Suburban setting); Carleton College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
• Wellesley College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wellesley College 7:1; Carleton College 8:1.

Wellesley vs. Carleton College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wellesley or Carleton College? 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 Carleton College ($22,174 vs. $28,047).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carleton College are 16.4% lower than at Wellesley College ($17,586 vs. $21,024).
• Carleton College is 2.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wellesley (about $1,716 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $67,176.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.6% higher at Carleton College than at Wellesley College (about $1,716 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $67,176.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carleton College than at Wellesley College (59% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wellesley College students is 12.8% larger than aid received by Carleton College students ($64,116 vs. $56,846).

Wellesley vs. Carleton College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wellesley or Carleton College? 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 Carleton College and Wellesley.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wellesley College (1510) is the same as at Carleton College (1510).
• Incoming Wellesley students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at Carleton College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wellesley College 1460/1560; Carleton College 1450/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wellesley College 33/35; Carleton College 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wellesley - Test optional; Carleton College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wellesley Jan 8, 2027; Carleton College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carleton College students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Wellesley (3.86).
• Carleton College has a higher acceptance rate (20.4%) than Wellesley (14%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47.6% at Wellesley vs. 34.8% at Carleton College.

Wellesley vs. Carleton College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wellesley and Carleton College? 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).

• Carleton College's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Wellesley College's (92%).
• Graduates from Wellesley College earn a median of about $2,500 more per year than Carleton College graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,100 vs. $65,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wellesley College graduates have a $10,600 lower median loan debt than Carleton College graduates ($8,900 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Wellesley graduates have an estimated $109 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carleton College graduates ($92 vs. $201).
• More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wellesley students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 86%)

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.