Yale vs. Wellesley

Comparable Facts

Compare Yale University in New Haven, CT with Wellesley College in Wellesley, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Yale University is larger than Wellesley based on total student enrollment (15,564 students vs. 2,407 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Yale vs. Wellesley Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Yale or Wellesley? 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 Yale ($22,174 vs. $22,408).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Yale University are 5.3% lower than at Wellesley College ($19,900 vs. $21,024).
• Yale University is 0.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wellesley (about $74 more per year; $67,250.00 vs. $67,176.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.1% higher at Yale than at Wellesley College (about $74 more per year; $67,250.00 vs. $67,176.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Yale University than at Wellesley College (56% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Yale University students is 2.8% larger than aid received by Wellesley College students ($65,892 vs. $64,116).

Yale vs. Wellesley Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Yale University (1520) is 10 points higher than at Wellesley (1510).
• Incoming Yale students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Wellesley (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Yale University 1470/1570; Wellesley College 1460/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Yale University 33/35; Wellesley College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Yale - Required; Wellesley - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Yale Jan 2, 2027; Wellesley Jan 8, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Yale students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Wellesley (3.86).
• Wellesley has a higher acceptance rate (14%) than Yale (3.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 69.8% at Yale vs. 47.6% at Wellesley.

Yale vs. Wellesley Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Yale and Wellesley? 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).

• Yale University's six-year graduation rate (97%) is higher than Wellesley College's (92%).
• Graduates from Yale University earn a median of about $50,300 more per year than Wellesley graduates about ten years after starting college ($118,400 vs. $68,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wellesley College graduates have a $4,600 lower median loan debt than Yale graduates ($8,900 vs. $13,500).
• Among borrowers, Wellesley graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Yale graduates ($92 vs. $139).
• More Wellesley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Yale students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 84%)

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.