Wellesley vs. Colgate

Comparable Facts

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

Colgate University is larger than Wellesley based on total student enrollment (3,211 students vs. 2,407 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wellesley College is located in Wellesley, MA (Large Suburban setting); Colgate University is in Hamilton, NY (Distant Town setting).
• Wellesley College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Colgate University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wellesley College 7:1; Colgate University 9:1.

Wellesley vs. Colgate Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wellesley or Colgate? 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 Colgate ($22,174 vs. $28,736).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colgate University are 16.2% lower than at Wellesley College ($17,610 vs. $21,024).
• Colgate University is 4.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wellesley (about $3,130 more per year; $70,306.00 vs. $67,176.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.7% higher at Colgate than at Wellesley College (about $3,130 more per year; $70,306.00 vs. $67,176.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wellesley College than at Colgate University (54% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wellesley College students is 9.9% larger than aid received by Colgate University students ($64,116 vs. $58,334).

Wellesley vs. Colgate Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wellesley College (1510) is 20 points higher than at Colgate (1490).
• Incoming Wellesley students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at Colgate).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wellesley College 1460/1560; Colgate University 1430/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wellesley College 33/35; Colgate University 33/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wellesley - Test optional; Colgate - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wellesley Jan 8, 2027; Colgate Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wellesley students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Colgate (3.77).
• Wellesley has a higher acceptance rate (14%) than Colgate (13.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47.6% at Wellesley vs. 28.7% at Colgate.

Wellesley vs. Colgate Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wellesley and Colgate? 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).

• The graduation rate at Wellesley is the same as at Colgate University (92% vs. 92%).
• Graduates from Colgate University earn a median of about $7,200 more per year than Wellesley graduates about ten years after starting college ($75,300 vs. $68,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wellesley College graduates have a $7,225 lower median loan debt than Colgate graduates ($8,900 vs. $16,125).
• Among borrowers, Wellesley graduates have an estimated $74 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colgate graduates ($92 vs. $166).
• More Colgate graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wellesley students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.