Wellesley vs. Hamilton College

Comparable Facts

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

Wellesley College is larger than Hamilton College based on total student enrollment (2,407 students vs. 2,031 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Wellesley vs. Hamilton College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wellesley or Hamilton College? 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 Hamilton College ($22,174 vs. $28,719).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hamilton College are 16.7% lower than at Wellesley College ($17,510 vs. $21,024).
• Hamilton College is 2.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wellesley (about $1,784 more per year; $68,960.00 vs. $67,176.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.7% higher at Hamilton College than at Wellesley College (about $1,784 more per year; $68,960.00 vs. $67,176.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hamilton College than at Wellesley College (56% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wellesley College students is 15.5% larger than aid received by Hamilton College students ($64,116 vs. $55,511).

Wellesley vs. Hamilton College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wellesley College (1510) is 10 points higher than at Hamilton College (1500).
• Incoming Wellesley students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Hamilton College (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wellesley College 1460/1560; Hamilton College 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wellesley College 33/35; Hamilton College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wellesley - Test optional; Hamilton College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wellesley Jan 8, 2027; Hamilton College Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Hamilton College students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Wellesley (3.86).
• Wellesley has a higher acceptance rate (14%) than Hamilton College (13.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47.6% at Wellesley vs. 39% at Hamilton College.

Wellesley vs. Hamilton College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wellesley and Hamilton College? 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 Hamilton College's (89%).
• Graduates from Hamilton College earn a median of about $10,900 more per year than Wellesley graduates about ten years after starting college ($79,000 vs. $68,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wellesley College graduates have a $6,860 lower median loan debt than Hamilton College graduates ($8,900 vs. $15,760).
• Among borrowers, Wellesley graduates have an estimated $70 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hamilton College graduates ($92 vs. $162).
• More Hamilton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wellesley students, three years after graduation. (90% 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.