Wellesley vs. Barnard

Wellesley College and Barnard College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Wellesley College
Barnard College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Barnard (8.8% admitted vs 14%). Typical SAT 1520 vs 1510.
  • Cheaper after aid: Wellesley. Average net price is $22,174 vs $26,407 at Barnard.
  • Graduation: Wellesley 92% vs Barnard 92%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Wellesley $68,100 vs Barnard $66,900 (median).
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Key differences

Wellesley College Barnard College
Acceptance rate
Barnard more selective
Wellesley14%
Barnard8.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Barnard higher
Wellesley1460-1560
Barnard1470-1560
Average net price
Wellesley $4,233 less
Wellesley$22,174
Barnard$26,407
In-state tuition
Wellesley $2,712 less
Wellesley$67,176
Barnard$69,888
Out-of-state tuition
Wellesley $2,712 less
Wellesley$67,176
Barnard$69,888
Graduation rate
Wellesley +0 pts
Wellesley92%
Barnard92%
Median earnings (10 years)
Wellesley +$1,200
Wellesley$68,100
Barnard$66,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Wellesley 8,714
  • Barnard 11,836
  • Admitted
  • Wellesley 1,224
  • Barnard 1,046
  • Acceptance rate
  • Wellesley 14%
  • Barnard 8.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Wellesley 47.6%
  • Barnard 68.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Wellesley 1510
  • Barnard 1520
  • Typical ACT score
  • Wellesley 34
  • Barnard 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • Wellesley 3.86
  • Barnard 3.85
  • Typical high school grades
  • Wellesley A
  • Barnard A
  • Admissions standards
  • Wellesley Elite
  • Barnard Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Wellesley Very High
  • Barnard Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Wellesley 1460-1560
  • Barnard 1470-1560
  • ACT range
  • Wellesley 33-35
  • Barnard 32-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Wellesley Test optional
  • Barnard Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Wellesley Jan 8, 2027
  • Barnard Jan 4, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Wellesley $67,176
  • Barnard $69,888
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Wellesley $67,176
  • Barnard $69,888
  • Room & board
  • Wellesley $21,024
  • Barnard $21,714
  • Average net price
  • Wellesley $22,174
  • Barnard $26,407
  • Average grant aid
  • Wellesley $64,116
  • Barnard $63,131
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Wellesley 54%
  • Barnard 33%
  • Graduation rate
  • Wellesley 92%
  • Barnard 92%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Wellesley $68,100
  • Barnard $66,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • Wellesley 86%
  • Barnard 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Wellesley $8,900
  • Barnard $17,847
  • Median loan payment
  • Wellesley $92
  • Barnard $184
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Wellesley 7:1
  • Barnard 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • Wellesley
    • Social Sciences (28%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Ethnic Studies (9%)
    • Foreign Languages (9%)
    • Psychology (8%)
  • Barnard
    • Social Sciences (27%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Ethnic Studies (9%)
  • Location
  • Wellesley Wellesley, MA
  • Barnard New York, NY
  • Setting
  • Wellesley Large Suburban
  • Barnard Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Wellesley 2,407
  • Barnard 3,487
  • Type
  • Wellesley Private 4 Year
  • Barnard Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Wellesley #18
  • Barnard #35

Comparable Facts

Compare Wellesley College in Wellesley, MA with Barnard College in New York, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Barnard College is larger than Wellesley based on total student enrollment (3,487 students vs. 2,407 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Wellesley College is located in Wellesley, MA (Large Suburban setting); Barnard College is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
  • Wellesley College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Barnard College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Wellesley College 7:1; Barnard College 10:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wellesley College are 3.2% lower than at Barnard College ($21,024 vs. $21,714).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 4% higher at Barnard than at Wellesley College (about $2,712 more per year; $69,888 vs. $67,176).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wellesley College than at Barnard College (54% vs. 33%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Wellesley College students is 1.6% larger than aid received by Barnard College students ($64,116 vs. $63,131).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Wellesley than at Barnard (34 vs. 33, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Wellesley and Barnard.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Wellesley Jan 8, 2027; Barnard Jan 4, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Wellesley average a 3.86 high school GPA, 0.01 higher than at Barnard (3.85).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47.6% at Wellesley vs. 68.6% at Barnard.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Wellesley College graduates have a $8,947 lower median loan debt than Barnard graduates ($8,900 vs. $17,847).
  • Among borrowers, Wellesley graduates have an estimated $92 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Barnard graduates ($92 vs. $184).
  • More Barnard graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wellesley students, three years after graduation (89% vs. 86%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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