Wellesley vs. Carleton College

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

Wellesley College
Carleton College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Wellesley (14% admitted vs 20.4%). Typical SAT 1510 vs 1510.
  • Cheaper after aid: Wellesley. Average net price is $22,174 vs $28,047 at Carleton College.
  • Graduation: Wellesley 92% vs Carleton College 93%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Wellesley $68,100 vs Carleton College $65,600 (median).
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Key differences

Wellesley College Carleton College
Acceptance rate
Wellesley more selective
Wellesley14%
Carleton College20.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Wellesley higher
Wellesley1460-1560
Carleton College1450-1560
Average net price
Wellesley $5,873 less
Wellesley$22,174
Carleton College$28,047
In-state tuition
Wellesley $1,716 less
Wellesley$67,176
Carleton College$68,892
Out-of-state tuition
Wellesley $1,716 less
Wellesley$67,176
Carleton College$68,892
Graduation rate
Carleton College +1 pts
Wellesley92%
Carleton College93%
Median earnings (10 years)
Wellesley +$2,500
Wellesley$68,100
Carleton College$65,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Wellesley 8,714
  • Carleton College 7,133
  • Admitted
  • Wellesley 1,224
  • Carleton College 1,456
  • Acceptance rate
  • Wellesley 14%
  • Carleton College 20.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Wellesley 47.6%
  • Carleton College 34.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Wellesley 1510
  • Carleton College 1510
  • Typical ACT score
  • Wellesley 34
  • Carleton College 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • Wellesley 3.86
  • Carleton College 3.9
  • Typical high school grades
  • Wellesley A
  • Carleton College A
  • Admissions standards
  • Wellesley Elite
  • Carleton College Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Wellesley Very High
  • Carleton College Very High
  • SAT range
  • Wellesley 1460-1560
  • Carleton College 1450-1560
  • ACT range
  • Wellesley 33-35
  • Carleton College 32-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Wellesley Test optional
  • Carleton College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Wellesley Jan 8, 2027
  • Carleton College Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Wellesley $67,176
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Wellesley $67,176
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Room & board
  • Wellesley $21,024
  • Carleton College $17,586
  • Average net price
  • Wellesley $22,174
  • Carleton College $28,047
  • Average grant aid
  • Wellesley $64,116
  • Carleton College $56,846
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Wellesley 54%
  • Carleton College 59%
  • Graduation rate
  • Wellesley 92%
  • Carleton College 93%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Wellesley $68,100
  • Carleton College $65,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • Wellesley 86%
  • Carleton College 92%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Wellesley $8,900
  • Carleton College $19,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Wellesley $92
  • Carleton College $201
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Wellesley 7:1
  • Carleton College 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Wellesley
    • Social Sciences (28%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Ethnic Studies (9%)
    • Foreign Languages (9%)
    • Psychology (8%)
  • Carleton College
    • Social Sciences (23%)
    • Physical Sciences (14%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
  • Location
  • Wellesley Wellesley, MA
  • Carleton College Northfield, MN
  • Setting
  • Wellesley Large Suburban
  • Carleton College Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Wellesley 2,407
  • Carleton College 2,128
  • Type
  • Wellesley Private 4 Year
  • Carleton College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Wellesley #18
  • Carleton College #44

Comparable Facts

Compare Wellesley College in Wellesley, MA with Carleton College in Northfield, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Wellesley College is larger than Carleton College based on total student enrollment (2,407 students vs. 2,128 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Wellesley College is located in Wellesley, MA (Large Suburban setting); Carleton College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
  • Wellesley College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Wellesley College 7:1; Carleton College 8:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carleton College are 16.4% lower than at Wellesley College ($17,586 vs. $21,024).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 2.6% higher at Carleton College than at Wellesley College (about $1,716 more per year; $68,892 vs. $67,176).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carleton College than at Wellesley College (59% vs. 54%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Wellesley College students is 12.8% larger than aid received by Carleton College students ($64,116 vs. $56,846).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Wellesley than at Carleton College (34 vs. 33, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Wellesley and Carleton College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Wellesley Jan 8, 2027; Carleton College Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Carleton College average a 3.9 high school GPA, 0.04 higher than at Wellesley (3.86).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47.6% at Wellesley vs. 34.8% at Carleton College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Wellesley College graduates have a $10,600 lower median loan debt than Carleton College graduates ($8,900 vs. $19,500).
  • Among borrowers, Wellesley graduates have an estimated $109 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carleton College graduates ($92 vs. $201).
  • More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wellesley students, three years after graduation (92% 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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