Wellesley vs. Princeton

Comparable Facts

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

Princeton University is larger than Wellesley based on total student enrollment (9,137 students vs. 2,407 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wellesley College is located in Wellesley, MA (Large Suburban setting); Princeton University is in Princeton, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• Wellesley College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Princeton University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wellesley College 7:1; Princeton University 5:1.

Wellesley vs. Princeton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wellesley or Princeton? 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 Princeton University than Wellesley ($15,313 vs. $22,174).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Princeton University are 3.7% lower than at Wellesley College ($20,250 vs. $21,024).
• Wellesley College is 7.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Princeton (about $4,488 more per year; $67,176.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.2% higher at Wellesley than at Princeton University (about $4,488 more per year; $67,176.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Princeton University than at Wellesley College (67% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Princeton University students is 7.2% larger than aid received by Wellesley College students ($68,727 vs. $64,116).

Wellesley vs. Princeton Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Princeton University (1550) is 40 points higher than at Wellesley (1510).
• Incoming Wellesley students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Princeton (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wellesley College 1460/1560; Princeton University 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wellesley College 33/35; Princeton University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wellesley - Test optional; Princeton - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wellesley Jan 8, 2027; Princeton Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Princeton students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.93) than students at Wellesley (3.86).
• Wellesley has a higher acceptance rate (14%) than Princeton (4.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47.6% at Wellesley vs. 75.5% at Princeton.

Wellesley vs. Princeton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wellesley and Princeton? 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).

• Princeton University's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Wellesley College's (92%).
• Graduates from Princeton University earn a median of about $45,800 more per year than Wellesley graduates about ten years after starting college ($113,900 vs. $68,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Princeton University graduates have a $1,400 lower median loan debt than Wellesley graduates ($7,500 vs. $8,900).
• Among borrowers, Princeton graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wellesley graduates ($77 vs. $92).
• More Wellesley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Princeton students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 83%)

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.