About Wellesley College

Founded in 1870, Wellesley College. is a Private college. Located in Massachusetts, which is a city setting in Massachusetts, the campus itself is Suburban. The campus is home to 2,482 full time undergraduate students, and 0 full time graduate students.

The Wellesley College Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 7:1. There are 350 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Wellesley College include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate28%
Application Deadline1-Nov
Application Fee0
SAT Range1310-1500
ACT Range30-33

Admissions at are considered More Selective, with ,32% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 12 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

0% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 0% were in the top quarter, and 78% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Wellesley College.

2%
“We”re apathetic”
12%
“We know about current events and vote”
53%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
32%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
4%
“We save it for the classroom”
9%
“Sometimes, but not often”
32%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
56%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
10%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
90%
“I feel extremely safe”
74%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
24%
“We bought the gear”
2%
“We live for the big game”
7%
“It”s not really our thing”
31%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
47%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
15%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
3%
“Available in class”
33%
“They keep regular office hours”
65%
“They”re always available”
61%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
35%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
4%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
6%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
47%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
41%
“We only party on weekends”
6%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
22%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
68%
“There might be people who do”
10%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
0%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
2%
“We”re apathetic”
12%
“We know about current events and vote”
53%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
32%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
4%
“We save it for the classroom”
9%
“Sometimes, but not often”
32%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
56%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
10%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
90%
“I feel extremely safe”
74%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
24%
“We bought the gear”
2%
“We live for the big game”
7%
“It”s not really our thing”
31%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
47%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
15%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
3%
“Available in class”
33%
“They keep regular office hours”
65%
“They”re always available”
61%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
35%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
4%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
6%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
47%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
41%
“We only party on weekends”
6%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
22%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
68%
“There might be people who do”
10%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
0%
“There”s a huge drug scene”

Wellesley College REVIEWS

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  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    76 Students rated on-campus housing 4.1 stars. 22 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    47 Students rated off-campus housing 1.9 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    77 Students rated campus food 3.7 stars. 21 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    78 Students rated campus facilities 4.3 stars. 42 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    78 Students rated class size 4.7 stars. 69 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    77 Students rated school activities 4.2 stars. 42 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    77 Students rated local services 3.5 stars. 21 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    78 Students rated academics 4.5 stars. 62 % gave the school a 5.0.

What's your overall opinion of Wellesley College?

26 Students rated Wellesley College

Lillian - 08/17/2022

The academics at Wellesley College are absolutely spectacular. I've walked away from all of my classes having learned something new, even if the subject wasn't suited to my specific interests. For example, though math has never been my strong suit, I still enjoyed the calculus class I took during my first semester due to the quality of both the material taught in class and my professor. I've never met a Wellesley professor that I didn't love -- all of them are incredibly knowledgeable and kind. Additionally, the campus is beautiful. The architecture of the older buildings stuns me, and the nature (especially Lake Waban) is breathtaking. However, Wellesley College is far from perfect. Many of the students there are entirely focused on academics due to the College's culture, which can have very detrimental effects on their mental health. During my most recent semester, a few people I knew (and a lot of people I didn't know) suffered from food poisoning after eating food from one of the on-campus dining halls. Although Wellesley heralds itself as an inclusive space, and I've met so many wonderful, beautiful, and accepting people, the College still suffers from problems like racism and transphobia. My experiences at Wellesley, all in all, have been quite mixed. I'll always remember the friendships I've formed, and, of course, the academics are stellar. On the other hand, sometimes the environment at Wellesley can be, summed up in one word, uncomfortable.

Yasmin - 10/28/2021

.

Sydney - 03/27/2021

I'd advise any incoming college first-years to deeply consider their preferences and personal goals before choosing Wellesley (or any school, of course). If you're most focused on a liberal arts education and an academically intense four years, Wellesley might be right for you. Otherwise, I'd encourage you to consider other schools. Even with access to Boston, campus becomes isolating and often toxic. When I visited other Boston schools, I was shocked by the friendliness of most students compared to those at Wellesley. Within my first weeks on campus, I felt like no one actually wanted to be there. I'll always cherish my academic experience at Wellesley, but am thankful I found ways to socialize at other colleges and universities.

Maggie - 05/24/2020

It took me several years to heal from my experience at Wellesley. Looking back, the campus culture was extremely toxic. It wasn't just the "Wendy Wellesley," overachieving mentality. But rather, it was the woman-on-woman cruelty that made college life harder than it needed to be. Bullying was often political, although I can name plenty of campus-wide incidents that didn't fall into that category. I'll provide a specific example because I don't think a vague summary will paint a clear enough picture for you. I was a new writer on one of the school's publications when I was a Sophomore. During my first month, my editor (white, from WI) sent me ( white, from CA) on an assignment to something called a "solidarity meeting," which would begin in 30 minutes. I wasn't briefed, had no idea what I was walking into, but received permission from the event organizers beforehand and continued to ask for consent to stay as a reporter throughout the night. They demanded a "multicultural space" during the meeting, so in a follow-up e-mail, I asked them to define what they meant by "multicultural space." Three days later and two hours before my deadline, all six organizers sent me a signed letter telling me that I had violated their guidelines. They demanded an op-ed in place of my article, in which they would write about their demands and denounce the publication (and me, specifically). The Editor-in-Chief (Indian, from MA), organized a private chat with all of the eight section editors (two white, six non-white), and excluded me from the conversation. They published my article without the interview after three weeks of deliberation and also allowed the event organizers to publish their own article. Everywhere I went for the next month, I heard people I knew, didn't know or had seen once or twice gossiping about that racist idiot who offended everyone at the Solidarity meeting. Particularly after Trump was elected and political commentators began talking about how the white women who had turned out for Obama in 2008 didn't do the same for Clinton. It didn't matter what they studied, most students (or perhaps the most vocal students) believed that this data proved that white women were responsible for the election of a racist, misogynist pig. Humiliating white women was sport. People reveled in it, even (or especially) white women, because by partaking in the slander, they felt like they were reinforcing their place among the "good whites." With the phrase, "educate yourself," it was easy to erase any possibility of nuance. Before that incident, I thought that I was doing the right thing. I took political theory and started immersing myself in the PC language that was mainstream on campus, but that I (and many of my peers) hadn't grown up using. But, with one incident, I was branded. Most faculty are afraid to speak out when they see "call-out culture" go too far because they fear being called-out themselves. After the article, I had no choice but to keep writing for the publication because the Editor-in-Chief instituted a hostage clause in the organization's constitution. Nobody could leave without securing a replacement, or else violate the Wellesley honor code. Nobody wanted to take my place. I was stuck. So, I reached out to my Dean. She told me that there was nothing she could do to help me. So for a year, I would walk into the publication's classroom and hear the other editors and writers talking about me. I would try to speak with someone and inwardly cower from their smug expressions. Sometimes, I was outright shunned. And it wasn't just me. Every few weeks, another "dumb white girl story" would make the rounds. Before I became one of these stories, I thought that these women brought it upon themselves. There was a student who had to transfer after wearing a Pocahontas costume to a party, for example. But after my incident, I genuinely didn't know what to believe. By the time news got to me, it could have been twisted by over a hundred people to the point that the woman in the story was a caricature of her true self. I think that it's wonderful that Wellesley has one of the most diverse campuses in the states. But don’t go if you can’t take the heat. And don’t think that just because you aren’t white, you won’t also be villainized at some point. Passing privilege, straight privilege, cis privilege and more will not be met with an enlightening conversation if they offend the wrong people. You could easily end up the next scarlet letter bearer. And believe me, the shame you will experience will not leave you for years, and potentially even your entire life. It isn't just "discomfort." You will want to die if it happens to you.

Wellesley College FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at Wellesley College?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Wellesley College is 28%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.

  2. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    Trust yourself. You know what the right school for you is. Don't think about where you want to go the most, think about where you'll regret most not going.

    Read all  63 answers

  3. Describe the students at your school.

    Wellelsey women are strong independent women who know what they want out of life and are willing to go achieve it. My classmates are very competitive both inside and outside the classroom, but are also very easy to communicate with and always willing to give a helping hand to get some of their classmates through a struggling time. At wellesley your classmates easily transform into a family community, so the constant support system is always behind you, pushing you to strive and achieve your goals in becoming a success.

    Read all  62 answers

  4. What are the academics like at your school?

    Academics are the heart and soul of Wellesley. Academics are the reason that we are there, and it shows. People study like crazy everywhere, all the time. Each one of my professors knows my name and my interests (a few even know my life story). I am on a first-name basis with quite a few of my professors. My favorite class has probably been econometrics, but that's because I love economics and I love practical statistics- I guess you could say that I am a typical geek. In class participation is what classes here are made of. Almost everyone participates in active in-class discussions all the time. Even outside of class, students are constantly having academic discussions...we love to use our brains! Academic competitiveness is apparent in some departments, but for the most part, students are very helpful and supportive of one another. The distribution requirements can be annoying sometimes, but I honestly think they are for the better- I would never have discovered my love of economics if it weren't for the distribution requirements. All in all, an education at Wellesley is about the love of learning, but you will get such a good education in whatever major you choose, that you will be able to do almost anything you want after you graduate! It's the best of both worlds!

    Read all  59 answers

  5. What is the stereotype of students at your school?

    I think that there are a couple of stereotypes about Wellesley students: one that we're all walking around with pearls and cardigans thrown over our shoulders - very Mona Lisa Smile - and another that the campus is full of, if not man hating dykes, at least a lot of lesbians and feminists (sometimes conflated). And, of course, I think that a lot of other local college students can see Wellesley students as traveling in packs in search of booze and boys, but some of that has to do with who goes off campus to frat parties on the weekends.

    Read all  59 answers

  6. Is the stereotype of students at your school accurate?

    None of these stereotypes are true! While it's true that LGBT issues play a prominent role on campus, it is more because the students feel safe and comfortable expressing their sexual preferences than at many other universities. I am not gay, nor do I (or have I ever) gone to Harvard or M.I.T. with the purpose of seeking out men. It is NOT a finishing school, for heaven's sake! We pride ourselves on our outstanding academics, and our status as "Wellesley Women" has everything to do with being outspoken, independent women, not future housewives.

    Read all  58 answers

  7. What is your overall opinion of this school?

    My friends and I love Wellesley as it is. Wellesley is so unique in character, and I have the closest girlfriends that I have ever had in my life (probably because there are no men)...who needs guys when you have your best friends?! As I say, "Hos before bros!" Besides my friends, the best thing about Wellesley are the amazing professors. I love each and every one of my professors- they are all willing to go out of their way for their students. It is obvious that they truly love what they do. Most of the time, I think Wellesley's student body is just the right size, but there are other times (like when finals come around) when it does feel a bit too small because of high stress levels. I spend my time all over campus, but the I probably spend the most time in the following areas: my room, my friends' rooms, Pendleton (more specifically, the economics department on the fourth floor), the dining hall, and when the weather is nice, on Severance Green or the Tower Courtyard. Make no mistake, Wellesley, MA is not a college town. It is a quiet upper class suburb of Boston with some cute shops (the Cheese Shop is to die for!), but the town basically shuts down after 8 pm. That said, however, it is extremely easy to get into Boston to access its never-ending nightlife. Wellesley has buses that go into Cambridge and Boston once every hour (more often on the weekends) and they run late into the night. The ride can take anywhere from 25 minutes to 1 hour, depending on traffic.

    Read all  58 answers

  8. What are the most popular student activities/groups?

    Each dorm has it's own social characteristics: the new dorms are predominated by science and math majors and tend to be pretty quiet and boring. The Quad is a bit crazy sometimes and you can find large groups of friends all sharing one hallway. The tower complex is where the party is at (if there is any party on campus) and is the biggest of all. Stone-Davis has the best food and is a healthy balance between the New Dorms and the Tower Complex. Athletic events are popular if you are on a team, but otherwise, don't expect a large fan base. Speakers are everywhere all the time, talking about all sorts of things. I met my closest friends because I lived in the same hallway with them during our first year. If I am awake at 2 AM on a Tuesday, I am studying, finishing a problem set, writing a paper, or still hopelessly procrastinating with my best friend by watching YouTube videos.

    Read all  51 answers

  9. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    Wellesley actively encourages students to explore different areas. I took the college's advice and walked out of my comfort zone my first semester, taking computer science and a class about Jewish and Muslim exiles. I had zero background, but they sounded interesting. I ended up loving coding, and I also want to continue studying the Middle East! This wouldn't have been possible without: 1) excellent teaching, (In 2012, Princeton Review rated Wellesley professors as #1 in the nation), 2) A mentality that people excel in what they love to do, so they should find what they love first.

    Read all  41 answers

  10. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    Expect to work hard, but understand you have a lot to gain.

    Read all  16 answers

  11. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    Wellesley is known for its prestigious liberal arts education and all-women's environment. It is also known for its beautiful campus.

    Read all  14 answers

  12. What's unique about your campus?

    The campus. It is beautiful and very open.

    Read all  11 answers

  13. What kind of person should attend this school?

    A driven, ambitious, open minded, tolerant, and intelligent woman who is well-rounded. This prospective student must have an excellent high school academic record, but also a great social service, community service and extra-curricular activities. She must be a leader and not be afraid to be challeged, or to doubt herself, or pushed, stressed, possibly depressed, afraid of diversity, and she definitely cannot need the constant presence of testosterone.

    Read all  11 answers

  14. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    How competitive and unfriendly people can be

    Read all  9 answers

  15. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    Nothing! I love Wellesley so much.

    Read all  9 answers

  16. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    Any student looking to learn outside of the classroom and to have time to explore the world as they wish should not come to Wellesley. Wellesley is very academically-focused, which is fine, and has an amazing ability to get its students into high-powered careers and places. Still, there isn't time to learn from the community, or in/from nearby Boston. Attending classes, sticking to one's books and going to professor's office hours is the only kind of learning given time and space to flourish.

    Read all  8 answers

  17. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    The all-female atmosphere allows students to focus on academics, develop a voice, and excel. Yes, females are catty, but females are also fiercely loyal to each other. The alumni network (which includes Hillary Clinton) is second-to-none.

    Read all  8 answers

  18. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    Sometimes the academic pressure gets frustrating. The work load is intense and although thr classes are very interesting, the academic demands of the school can beocme tedious and stressful.

    Read all  6 answers

  19. What is the stereotype of students at your school? Is this stereotype accurate?

    No way! I know very few people at Wellesley who fit that entire stereotype. There are a few of each type, but that's what's great about Wellesley...it's so diverse. Culturally, economically, intellectually (well, usually) and socially diverse. I was almost scared to come here because I bought into that stereotype, but being here for almost two years has taught me that there is so much more about the school than just those labels.

    Read all  4 answers

Student Body

Students

98%

female

2%

male

2,482

Total Undergrad Enrollment

N/A

Total Grad Students

73%

Out-Of-State

10%

In-State

17%

International

Organizations

170

Student Organizations

N/A

Fraternities

N/A

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

88%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
N/A
% Asian/Pacific Islander
21%
% Black or African-American
5%
% Hispanic/Latino
11%
% White or Caucasian
36%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

66% of students attending Wellesley College receive some sort of financial aid. 20% were awarded federal grants. While 21% received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$48,802

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$800

Books and Supplies

$15,114

Room and Board

64,716

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$8,357
$30 - $48K
$9,228
$48 - $75K
$12,581
$75 - $110K
$23,218
$110K & UP
$42,274

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

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