Wellesley vs. Oberlin

Comparable Facts

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

Oberlin College is larger than Wellesley based on total student enrollment (2,909 students vs. 2,407 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wellesley College is located in Wellesley, MA (Large Suburban setting); Oberlin College is in Oberlin, OH (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Wellesley College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Oberlin College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wellesley College 7:1; Oberlin College 9:1.

Wellesley vs. Oberlin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wellesley or Oberlin? 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 Oberlin ($22,174 vs. $51,624).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Oberlin College are 7.2% lower than at Wellesley College ($19,510 vs. $21,024).
• Oberlin College is 0.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wellesley (about $190 more per year; $67,366.00 vs. $67,176.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.3% higher at Oberlin than at Wellesley College (about $190 more per year; $67,366.00 vs. $67,176.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oberlin College than at Wellesley College (99% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wellesley College students is 79.2% larger than aid received by Oberlin College students ($64,116 vs. $35,780).

Wellesley vs. Oberlin Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wellesley College (1510) is 70 points higher than at Oberlin (1440).
• Incoming Wellesley students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Oberlin).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wellesley College 1460/1560; Oberlin College 1360/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wellesley College 33/35; Oberlin College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wellesley - Test optional; Oberlin - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wellesley Jan 8, 2027; Oberlin Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wellesley students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Oberlin (3.67).
• Oberlin has a higher acceptance rate (34.2%) than Wellesley (14%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47.6% at Wellesley vs. 19.5% at Oberlin.

Wellesley vs. Oberlin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wellesley and Oberlin? 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 Oberlin College's (88%).
• Graduates from Wellesley College earn a median of about $24,200 more per year than Oberlin graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,100 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wellesley College graduates have a $17,679 lower median loan debt than Oberlin graduates ($8,900 vs. $26,579).
• Among borrowers, Wellesley graduates have an estimated $182 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oberlin graduates ($92 vs. $274).
• More Wellesley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oberlin students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 82%)

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.