Wellesley vs. Fordham

Comparable Facts

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

Fordham University is larger than Wellesley based on total student enrollment (16,150 students vs. 2,407 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wellesley College is located in Wellesley, MA (Large Suburban setting); Fordham University is in Bronx, NY (Large City setting).
• Wellesley College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Fordham University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wellesley College 7:1; Fordham University 14:1.

Wellesley vs. Fordham Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wellesley or Fordham? 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 Fordham ($22,174 vs. $48,190).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wellesley College are 12.7% lower than at Fordham University ($21,024 vs. $24,090).
• Wellesley College is 3.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fordham (about $2,261 more per year; $67,176.00 vs. $64,915.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.5% higher at Wellesley than at Fordham University (about $2,261 more per year; $67,176.00 vs. $64,915.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fordham University than at Wellesley College (95% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wellesley College students is 78.2% larger than aid received by Fordham University students ($64,116 vs. $35,988).

Wellesley vs. Fordham Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wellesley College (1510) is 110 points higher than at Fordham (1400).
• Incoming Wellesley students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 31 at Fordham).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wellesley College 1460/1560; Fordham University 1320/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wellesley College 33/35; Fordham University 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wellesley - Test optional; Fordham - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wellesley Jan 8, 2027; Fordham Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wellesley students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Fordham (3.67).
• Fordham has a higher acceptance rate (59.3%) than Wellesley (14%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47.6% at Wellesley vs. 9.7% at Fordham.

Wellesley vs. Fordham Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wellesley and Fordham? 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 Fordham University's (78%).
• Graduates from Wellesley College earn a median of about $3,900 more per year than Fordham graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,100 vs. $64,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wellesley College graduates have a $17,100 lower median loan debt than Fordham graduates ($8,900 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Wellesley graduates have an estimated $176 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fordham graduates ($92 vs. $268).
• More Wellesley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fordham 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.