Wellesley College : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About Wellesley College
Set around a glimmering lake and wooded paths, Wellesley is known for a liberal arts education shaped by close faculty attention. Students explore sciences, social sciences, and the arts, with writing and research threaded through. Libraries, labs, studios, and a busy arts and fitness center pair with tutoring, advising, counseling, and career coaching, so support feels built in. It's an academic setting that asks a lot and gives a lot back.
Life here is lively and thoughtful. A cappella, publications, cultural showcases, lakefront hikes, and club sports fill the week, while hoop rolling and the marathon cheer tradition add joyful noise. The culture prizes collaboration and voice. Career prep leans on a far reaching alumnae network and Boston area internships. The town brings cafés and calm; the city adds museums, startups, and policy hubs. Notable alumnae include Hillary Rodham Clinton and Madeleine Albright.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
Wellesley College offers 51 degree programs across 16 major academic fields, graduating approximately 761 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Social Sciences (5 programs, 172 graduates), Biological Sciences (3 programs, 91 graduates), Computer & IT (2 programs, 88 graduates), Psychology (2 programs, 73 graduates) and Physical Sciences (6 programs, 48 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Social Sciences (5 programs, 172 graduates)
Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Econometrics and Quantitative Economics | 79 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0603 |
| Political Science and Government | 40 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.1001 |
| International Relations | 19 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0901 |
| Anthropology | 18 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0201 |
| Sociology | 16 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.1101 |
Biological Sciences (3 programs, 91 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neuroscience | 36 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.1501 |
| Biology and Biological Sciences | 35 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0101 |
| Biochemistry | 20 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0202 |
Computer & IT (2 programs, 88 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences | 60 |
|
Bachelor's
|
11.0101 |
| Software and Media Applications | 28 |
|
Bachelor's
|
11.0899 |
Psychology (2 programs, 73 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Experimental Psychology | 52 |
|
Bachelor's
|
42.2799 |
| Cognitive Psychology and Psycholinguistics | 21 |
|
Bachelor's
|
42.2701 |
Physical Sciences (6 programs, 48 graduates)
Chemistry, Physics and Earth Sciences Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemistry | 18 |
|
Bachelor's
|
40.0501 |
| Physics | 14 |
|
Bachelor's
|
40.0801 |
| Geology and Earth Science | 8 |
|
Bachelor's
|
40.0601 |
| Astrophysics | 4 |
|
Bachelor's
|
40.0202 |
| Chemical Physics | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
40.0508 |
| Astronomy | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
40.0201 |
Interdisciplinary (5 programs, 43 graduates)
Cross-Disciplinary Studies and Integrated Research Programs
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics and Computer Science | 19 |
|
Bachelor's
|
30.0801 |
| Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution | 10 |
|
Bachelor's
|
30.0501 |
| Ancient Studies and Civilization | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
|
30.2201 |
| Medieval and Renaissance Studies | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
30.1301 |
| Multi- and Interdisciplinary Studies | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
30.9999 |
Cultural Studies (9 programs, 42 graduates)
Cultural Anthropology, Ethnic Studies and Social Group Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women's Studies | 12 |
|
Bachelor's
|
05.0207 |
| American Studies | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
|
05.0102 |
| Near and Middle Eastern Studies | 6 |
|
Bachelor's
|
05.0108 |
| African American Studies | 6 |
|
Bachelor's
|
05.0201 |
| Italian Studies | 4 |
|
Bachelor's
|
05.0126 |
| Latin American Studies | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
05.0107 |
| Russian Studies | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
05.0110 |
| South Asian Studies | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
05.0112 |
| German Studies | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
05.0125 |
Languages (5 programs, 41 graduates)
Foreign Languages, Literature and Linguistic Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spanish Language and Literature | 14 |
|
Bachelor's
|
16.0905 |
| East Asian Languages and Linguistics | 12 |
|
Bachelor's
|
16.0300 |
| French Language and Literature | 8 |
|
Bachelor's
|
16.0901 |
| Russian Language and Literature | 4 |
|
Bachelor's
|
16.0402 |
| Comparative Literature | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
16.0104 |
Arts (5 programs, 34 graduates)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Art History and Conservation | 14 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0703 |
| Studio Arts, General | 6 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0702 |
| Theatre Arts | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0501 |
| Film and Media Studies | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0601 |
| Music | 4 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0901 |
English (2 programs, 28 graduates)
English Literature, Creative Writing and Literary Analysis
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language and Literature | 22 |
|
Bachelor's
|
23.0101 |
| Creative Writing | 6 |
|
Bachelor's
|
23.1302 |
Admission Requirements & Test Scores
Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at Wellesley College.
Application Requirements
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Wellesley College
How much does it cost to attend Wellesley College?
The annual tuition at Wellesley College is $64,320 for in-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $86,290 for in-state students. Additional costs include room and board $19,920 and books and supplies $800.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does Wellesley College offer?
Wellesley College offers 51 academic programs across 16 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Bachelor's.
Most popular program areas include:
- Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies (5 programs)
- Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research (3 programs)
- Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity (2 programs)
- Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies (2 programs)
- Chemistry, Physics and Earth Sciences Research (6 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What is the acceptance rate for Wellesley College?
Wellesley College has an 13.9% acceptance rate and a 50.4% yield rate, making it highly selective.
Admission statistics breakdown:
- Total applicants: 8,184
- Students admitted: 1,138
- Students enrolled: 573
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at Wellesley College?
Wellesley College provides financial aid to 24% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $61,549 and average loans of $8,059.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,463
- State/Local grants: $3,340
- Institutional grants: $59,412
- Federal loans: $3,613
The university supports 305 students with grants and 122 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for Wellesley College graduates?
Wellesley College graduates earn a median salary of $65,961 after 6 years and $84,803 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $55,457 (25th percentile) to $141,028 (75th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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