Wellesley vs. Cornell

Comparable Facts

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

Cornell University is larger than Wellesley based on total student enrollment (26,793 students vs. 2,407 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Wellesley vs. Cornell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wellesley or Cornell? 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 Cornell ($22,174 vs. $26,361).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cornell University are 7.6% lower than at Wellesley College ($19,428 vs. $21,024).
• Cornell University is 3.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wellesley (about $2,138 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $67,176.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.2% higher at Cornell than at Wellesley College (about $2,138 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $67,176.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wellesley College than at Cornell University (54% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wellesley College students is 3.8% larger than aid received by Cornell University students ($64,116 vs. $61,779).

Wellesley vs. Cornell Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cornell University (1540) is 30 points higher than at Wellesley (1510).
• Incoming Wellesley students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Cornell (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wellesley College 1460/1560; Cornell University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wellesley College 33/35; Cornell University 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wellesley - Test optional; Cornell - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wellesley Jan 8, 2027; Cornell Jan 2, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cornell students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Wellesley (3.86).
• Wellesley has a higher acceptance rate (14%) than Cornell (8.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47.6% at Wellesley vs. 63.9% at Cornell.

Wellesley vs. Cornell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wellesley and Cornell? 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).

• Cornell University's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Wellesley College's (92%).
• Graduates from Cornell University earn a median of about $30,300 more per year than Wellesley graduates about ten years after starting college ($98,400 vs. $68,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wellesley College graduates have a $3,100 lower median loan debt than Cornell graduates ($8,900 vs. $12,000).
• Among borrowers, Wellesley graduates have an estimated $32 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cornell graduates ($92 vs. $124).
• More Cornell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wellesley students, three years after graduation. (87% 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.