Wellesley vs. Drexel

Comparable Facts

Compare Wellesley College in Wellesley, MA with Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Drexel University is larger than Wellesley based on total student enrollment (21,153 students vs. 2,407 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Wellesley vs. Drexel Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wellesley or Drexel? 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 Drexel ($22,174 vs. $42,801).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Drexel University are 13.9% lower than at Wellesley College ($18,096 vs. $21,024).
• Wellesley College is 7.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Drexel (about $4,764 more per year; $67,176.00 vs. $62,412.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.6% higher at Wellesley than at Drexel University (about $4,764 more per year; $67,176.00 vs. $62,412.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Drexel University than at Wellesley College (100% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wellesley College students is 82.9% larger than aid received by Drexel University students ($64,116 vs. $35,051).

Wellesley vs. Drexel Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wellesley College (1510) is 170 points higher than at Drexel (1340).
• Incoming Wellesley students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 29 at Drexel).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wellesley College 1460/1560; Drexel University 1240/1440.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wellesley College 33/35; Drexel University 27/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wellesley - Test optional; Drexel - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wellesley Jan 8, 2027; Drexel Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wellesley students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Drexel (3.67).
• Drexel has a higher acceptance rate (79.4%) than Wellesley (14%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47.6% at Wellesley vs. 8.1% at Drexel.

Wellesley vs. Drexel Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wellesley and Drexel? 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 Drexel University's (68%).
• Graduates from Drexel University earn a median of about $9,300 more per year than Wellesley graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,400 vs. $68,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wellesley College graduates have a $17,343 lower median loan debt than Drexel graduates ($8,900 vs. $26,243).
• Among borrowers, Wellesley graduates have an estimated $179 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Drexel graduates ($92 vs. $271).
• More Wellesley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Drexel students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 77%)

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.