Wellesley vs. Vassar

Comparable Facts

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

Vassar College is larger than Wellesley based on total student enrollment (2,462 students vs. 2,407 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Wellesley vs. Vassar Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wellesley or Vassar? 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 Vassar ($22,174 vs. $29,981).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Vassar College are 13.2% lower than at Wellesley College ($18,240 vs. $21,024).
• Vassar College is 5.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wellesley (about $3,854 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $67,176.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.7% higher at Vassar than at Wellesley College (about $3,854 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $67,176.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vassar College than at Wellesley College (55% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wellesley College students is 11.6% larger than aid received by Vassar College students ($64,116 vs. $57,443).

Wellesley vs. Vassar Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wellesley College (1510) is 10 points higher than at Vassar (1500).
• Incoming Wellesley students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Vassar (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wellesley College 1460/1560; Vassar College 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wellesley College 33/35; Vassar College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wellesley - Test optional; Vassar - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wellesley Jan 8, 2027; Vassar Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wellesley students have the same average high school GPA (3.86) as students at Vassar (3.86).
• Vassar has a higher acceptance rate (18.6%) than Wellesley (14%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47.6% at Wellesley vs. 28.8% at Vassar.

Wellesley vs. Vassar Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wellesley and Vassar? 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 Vassar College's (91%).
• Graduates from Wellesley College earn a median of about $9,700 more per year than Vassar graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,100 vs. $58,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wellesley College graduates have a $6,880 lower median loan debt than Vassar graduates ($8,900 vs. $15,780).
• Among borrowers, Wellesley graduates have an estimated $71 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Vassar graduates ($92 vs. $163).
• More Vassar graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wellesley students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.