Wesleyan University vs. Harvard

Deciding between Wesleyan University and Harvard University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Wesleyan University
Harvard University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Wesleyan University Middletown, CT
  • Harvard Cambridge, MA
  • Setting
  • Wesleyan University Small City
  • Harvard Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Wesleyan University 4,011
  • Harvard 30,259
  • Type
  • Wesleyan University Private 4 Year
  • Harvard Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Wesleyan University #36
  • Harvard #4
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Wesleyan University -
  • Harvard -
  • Status
  • Wesleyan University Non-profit
  • Harvard Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Wesleyan University
  • Harvard

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Wesleyan University $70,342
  • Harvard $61,676
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Wesleyan University $70,342
  • Harvard $61,676
  • Room & Board
  • Wesleyan University $19,872
  • Harvard $21,190
  • Average Net Price
  • Wesleyan University $23,025
  • Harvard $17,525
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Wesleyan University $65,995
  • Harvard $68,015
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Wesleyan University 42%
  • Harvard 56%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Wesleyan University 14,389
  • Harvard 54,008
  • Admitted
  • Wesleyan University 2,373
  • Harvard 1,970
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Wesleyan University 16.5%
  • Harvard 3.6%
  • Enrolled
  • Wesleyan University 34.8%
  • Harvard 83.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Wesleyan University 1480
  • Harvard 1550
  • Typical ACT score
  • Wesleyan University 34
  • Harvard 35
  • Average High School GPA
  • Wesleyan University -
  • Harvard 4.0
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Wesleyan University -
  • Harvard A/A+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Wesleyan University Elite
  • Harvard Elite
  • Applicant Competition
  • Wesleyan University Very High
  • Harvard Extreme
  • ACT Range
  • Wesleyan University 33/35
  • Harvard 34/36
  • SAT Range
  • Wesleyan University 1415/1540
  • Harvard 1510/1580
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Wesleyan University Test optional
  • Harvard Required
  • Application Deadline
  • Wesleyan University Jan 1, 2027
  • Harvard Jan 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Wesleyan University 8:1
  • Harvard 7:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Wesleyan University
    • Social Sciences (24%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (14%)
    • Ethnic Studies (12%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
  • Harvard
    • Social Sciences (32%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
    • History (9%)
    • Mathematics (6%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Wesleyan University 92%
  • Harvard 97%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Wesleyan University $58,000
  • Harvard $136,700
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Wesleyan University 89%
  • Harvard 70%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Wesleyan University $17,500
  • Harvard $6,500
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Wesleyan University $180
  • Harvard $67

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Wesleyan University 47%
  • Harvard 46%
  • % Women
  • Wesleyan University 53%
  • Harvard 54%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Wesleyan University High
  • Harvard Very High
  • HBCU
  • Wesleyan University No
  • Harvard No
  • % White
  • Wesleyan University 53%
  • Harvard 44%
  • % Asian
  • Wesleyan University 8%
  • Harvard 19%
  • % Black
  • Wesleyan University 7%
  • Harvard 6%
  • % Hispanic
  • Wesleyan University 11%
  • Harvard 10%
  • % Native American
  • Wesleyan University 0%
  • Harvard 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Wesleyan University 0%
  • Harvard 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Wesleyan University 6%
  • Harvard 6%
  • % International
  • Wesleyan University 9%
  • Harvard 11%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Wesleyan University 5%
  • Harvard 3%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Wesleyan University 8%
  • Harvard 14%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Wesleyan University 78%
  • Harvard 68%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Wesleyan University Yes
  • Harvard Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Wesleyan University Yes
  • Harvard Yes
  • Meal Plan
  • Wesleyan University Yes
  • Harvard Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Wesleyan University No
  • Harvard No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Wesleyan University No
  • Harvard Yes

Comparable Facts

Compare Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT with Harvard University in Cambridge, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Harvard University is larger than Wesleyan University based on total student enrollment (30,259 students vs. 4,011 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Wesleyan University is located in Middletown, CT (Small City setting); Harvard University is in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting).
  • Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Harvard University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Wesleyan University 8:1; Harvard University 7:1.

Wesleyan University vs. Harvard Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wesleyan University or Harvard? 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 Harvard University than Wesleyan University ($17,525 vs. $23,025).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wesleyan University are 6.2% lower than at Harvard University ($19,872 vs. $21,190).
  • Wesleyan University is 14.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Harvard (about $8,666 more per year; $70,342.00 vs. $61,676.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 14.1% higher at Wesleyan University than at Harvard University (about $8,666 more per year; $70,342.00 vs. $61,676.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Harvard University than at Wesleyan University (56% vs. 42%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Harvard University students is 3.1% larger than aid received by Wesleyan University students ($68,015 vs. $65,995).

Wesleyan University vs. Harvard Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wesleyan University or Harvard? 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 Harvard and Wesleyan University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Harvard University (1550) is 70 points higher than at Wesleyan University (1480).
  • Incoming Harvard students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 34 at Wesleyan University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wesleyan University 1415/1540; Harvard University 1510/1580.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wesleyan University 33/35; Harvard University 34/36.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wesleyan University - Test optional; Harvard - Required.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Wesleyan University Jan 1, 2027; Harvard Jan 1, 2027.
  • Wesleyan University has a higher acceptance rate (16.5%) than Harvard (3.6%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Wesleyan University vs. 83.6% at Harvard.

Wesleyan University vs. Harvard Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wesleyan University and Harvard? 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).

  • Harvard University's six-year graduation rate (97%) is higher than Wesleyan University's (92%).
  • Graduates from Harvard University earn a median of about $78,700 more per year than Wesleyan University graduates about ten years after starting college ($136,700 vs. $58,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Harvard University graduates have a $11,000 lower median loan debt than Wesleyan University graduates ($6,500 vs. $17,500).
  • Among borrowers, Harvard graduates have an estimated $113 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wesleyan University graduates ($67 vs. $180).
  • More Wesleyan University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Harvard students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 70%)

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.