Wellesley vs. Vanderbilt

Comparable Facts

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

Vanderbilt University is larger than Wellesley based on total student enrollment (13,575 students vs. 2,407 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wellesley College is located in Wellesley, MA (Large Suburban setting); Vanderbilt University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
• Wellesley College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Vanderbilt University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wellesley College 7:1; Vanderbilt University 8:1.

Wellesley vs. Vanderbilt Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wellesley or Vanderbilt? 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 Vanderbilt ($22,174 vs. $25,186).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wellesley College are 4.7% lower than at Vanderbilt University ($21,024 vs. $22,054).
• Vanderbilt University is 0.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wellesley (about $322 more per year; $67,498.00 vs. $67,176.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.5% higher at Vanderbilt than at Wellesley College (about $322 more per year; $67,498.00 vs. $67,176.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vanderbilt University than at Wellesley College (67% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vanderbilt University students is 0.4% larger than aid received by Wellesley College students ($64,404 vs. $64,116).

Wellesley vs. Vanderbilt Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Vanderbilt University (1540) is 30 points higher than at Wellesley (1510).
• Incoming Wellesley students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Vanderbilt (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wellesley College 1460/1560; Vanderbilt University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wellesley College 33/35; Vanderbilt University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wellesley - Test optional; Vanderbilt - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wellesley Jan 8, 2027; Vanderbilt Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Vanderbilt 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 Vanderbilt (5.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47.6% at Wellesley vs. 61.2% at Vanderbilt.

Wellesley vs. Vanderbilt Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wellesley and Vanderbilt? 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).

• The graduation rate at Wellesley is the same as at Vanderbilt University (92% vs. 92%).
• Graduates from Vanderbilt University earn a median of about $15,000 more per year than Wellesley graduates about ten years after starting college ($83,100 vs. $68,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wellesley College graduates have a $5,100 lower median loan debt than Vanderbilt graduates ($8,900 vs. $14,000).
• Among borrowers, Wellesley graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Vanderbilt graduates ($92 vs. $144).
• More Wellesley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Vanderbilt 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.