Wellesley vs. Middlebury

Comparable Facts

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

Middlebury College is larger than Wellesley based on total student enrollment (2,803 students vs. 2,407 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wellesley College is located in Wellesley, MA (Large Suburban setting); Middlebury College is in Middlebury, VT (Rural Fringe setting).
• Wellesley College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Middlebury College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wellesley College 7:1; Middlebury College 8:1.

Wellesley vs. Middlebury Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wellesley or Middlebury? 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 Middlebury ($22,174 vs. $26,233).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Middlebury College are 8.4% lower than at Wellesley College ($19,250 vs. $21,024).
• Middlebury College is 0.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wellesley (about $424 more per year; $67,600.00 vs. $67,176.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.6% higher at Middlebury than at Wellesley College (about $424 more per year; $67,600.00 vs. $67,176.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wellesley College than at Middlebury College (54% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wellesley College students is 7.5% larger than aid received by Middlebury College students ($64,116 vs. $59,647).

Wellesley vs. Middlebury Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wellesley College (1510) is 10 points higher than at Middlebury (1500).
• Incoming Wellesley students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Middlebury (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wellesley College 1460/1560; Middlebury College 1445/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wellesley College 33/35; Middlebury College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wellesley - Test optional; Middlebury - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wellesley Jan 8, 2027; Middlebury Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Middlebury students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Wellesley (3.86).
• Wellesley has a higher acceptance rate (14%) than Middlebury (10.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47.6% at Wellesley vs. 44.4% at Middlebury.

Wellesley vs. Middlebury Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wellesley and Middlebury? 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 Middlebury College's (90%).
• Graduates from Middlebury College earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than Wellesley graduates about ten years after starting college ($72,400 vs. $68,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wellesley College graduates have a $6,989 lower median loan debt than Middlebury graduates ($8,900 vs. $15,889).
• Among borrowers, Wellesley graduates have an estimated $72 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Middlebury graduates ($92 vs. $164).
• More Middlebury graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wellesley students, three years after graduation. (88% 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.