Wellesley vs. Villanova

Comparable Facts

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

Villanova University is larger than Wellesley based on total student enrollment (10,041 students vs. 2,407 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wellesley College is located in Wellesley, MA (Large Suburban setting); Villanova University is in Villanova, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Wellesley College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Villanova University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wellesley College 7:1; Villanova University 10:1.

Wellesley vs. Villanova Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wellesley or Villanova? 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 Villanova ($22,174 vs. $37,201).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Villanova University are 15.8% lower than at Wellesley College ($17,694 vs. $21,024).
• Villanova University is 0.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wellesley (about $600 more per year; $67,776.00 vs. $67,176.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.9% higher at Villanova than at Wellesley College (about $600 more per year; $67,776.00 vs. $67,176.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wellesley College than at Villanova University (54% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wellesley College students is 34.7% larger than aid received by Villanova University students ($64,116 vs. $47,609).

Wellesley vs. Villanova Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wellesley College (1510) is 60 points higher than at Villanova (1450).
• Incoming Wellesley students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at Villanova).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wellesley College 1460/1560; Villanova University 1395/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wellesley College 33/35; Villanova University 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wellesley - Test optional; Villanova - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wellesley Jan 8, 2027; Villanova Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Villanova students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Wellesley (3.86).
• Villanova has a higher acceptance rate (27%) than Wellesley (14%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47.6% at Wellesley vs. 27.7% at Villanova.

Wellesley vs. Villanova Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wellesley and Villanova? 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 Villanova University's (90%).
• Graduates from Villanova University earn a median of about $17,000 more per year than Wellesley graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,100 vs. $68,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wellesley College graduates have a $17,597 lower median loan debt than Villanova graduates ($8,900 vs. $26,497).
• Among borrowers, Wellesley graduates have an estimated $181 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Villanova graduates ($92 vs. $273).
• More Villanova graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wellesley students, three years after graduation. (90% 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.