Wellesley vs. Columbia

Comparable Facts

Compare Wellesley College in Wellesley, MA with Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia University in the City of New York is larger than Wellesley based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 2,407 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wellesley College is located in Wellesley, MA (Large Suburban setting); Columbia University in the City of New York is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
• Wellesley College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wellesley College 7:1; Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1.

Wellesley vs. Columbia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wellesley or Columbia? 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 Columbia ($22,174 vs. $22,520).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia University in the City of New York are 16.4% lower than at Wellesley College ($17,580 vs. $21,024).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wellesley (about $4,669 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $67,176.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7% higher at Columbia than at Wellesley College (about $4,669 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $67,176.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wellesley College than at Columbia University in the City of New York (54% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 4.5% larger than aid received by Wellesley College students ($67,010 vs. $64,116).

Wellesley vs. Columbia Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 40 points higher than at Wellesley (1510).
• Incoming Wellesley students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Columbia (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wellesley College 1460/1560; Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wellesley College 33/35; Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wellesley - Test optional; Columbia - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wellesley Jan 8, 2027; Columbia Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia 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 Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47.6% at Wellesley vs. 64.9% at Columbia.

Wellesley vs. Columbia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wellesley and Columbia? 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).

• Columbia University in the City of New York's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Wellesley College's (92%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $39,500 more per year than Wellesley graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $68,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wellesley College graduates have a $12,600 lower median loan debt than Columbia graduates ($8,900 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Wellesley graduates have an estimated $130 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia graduates ($92 vs. $222).
• More Wellesley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia 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.