Wellesley vs. Clarkson

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

Wellesley College
Clarkson University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Wellesley (14% admitted vs 77.4%). Typical SAT 1510 vs 1300.
  • Cheaper after aid: Wellesley. Average net price is $22,174 vs $32,406 at Clarkson.
  • Graduation: Wellesley 92% vs Clarkson 72%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Wellesley $68,100 vs Clarkson $70,800 (median).
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Key differences

Wellesley College Clarkson University
Acceptance rate
Wellesley more selective
Wellesley14%
Clarkson77.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Wellesley higher
Wellesley1460-1560
Clarkson1200-1390
Average net price
Wellesley $10,232 less
Wellesley$22,174
Clarkson$32,406
In-state tuition
Clarkson $7,778 less
Wellesley$67,176
Clarkson$59,398
Out-of-state tuition
Clarkson $7,778 less
Wellesley$67,176
Clarkson$59,398
Graduation rate
Wellesley +20 pts
Wellesley92%
Clarkson72%
Median earnings (10 years)
Clarkson +$2,700
Wellesley$68,100
Clarkson$70,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Wellesley 8,714
  • Clarkson 6,661
  • Admitted
  • Wellesley 1,224
  • Clarkson 5,153
  • Acceptance rate
  • Wellesley 14%
  • Clarkson 77.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Wellesley 47.6%
  • Clarkson 9.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Wellesley 1510
  • Clarkson 1300
  • Typical ACT score
  • Wellesley 34
  • Clarkson 28
  • Average high school GPA
  • Wellesley 3.86
  • Clarkson 3.8
  • Typical high school grades
  • Wellesley A
  • Clarkson A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Wellesley Elite
  • Clarkson Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Wellesley Very High
  • Clarkson
  • SAT range
  • Wellesley 1460-1560
  • Clarkson 1200-1390
  • ACT range
  • Wellesley 33-35
  • Clarkson 25-32
  • Submit test scores
  • Wellesley Test optional
  • Clarkson Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Wellesley Jan 8, 2027
  • Clarkson Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Wellesley $67,176
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Wellesley $67,176
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Room & board
  • Wellesley $21,024
  • Clarkson $18,252
  • Average net price
  • Wellesley $22,174
  • Clarkson $32,406
  • Average grant aid
  • Wellesley $64,116
  • Clarkson $46,528
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Wellesley 54%
  • Clarkson 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Wellesley 92%
  • Clarkson 72%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Wellesley $68,100
  • Clarkson $70,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • Wellesley 86%
  • Clarkson 86%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Wellesley $8,900
  • Clarkson $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Wellesley $92
  • Clarkson $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Wellesley 7:1
  • Clarkson 13:1
  • Popular majors
  • Wellesley
    • Social Sciences (28%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Ethnic Studies (9%)
    • Foreign Languages (9%)
    • Psychology (8%)
  • Clarkson
    • Engineering (48%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Engineering Technology (9%)
    • Communication (3%)
  • Location
  • Wellesley Wellesley, MA
  • Clarkson Potsdam, NY
  • Setting
  • Wellesley Large Suburban
  • Clarkson Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Wellesley 2,407
  • Clarkson 3,348
  • Type
  • Wellesley Private 4 Year
  • Clarkson Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Wellesley #18
  • Clarkson #189

Comparable Facts

Compare Wellesley College in Wellesley, MA with Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Clarkson University is larger than Wellesley based on total student enrollment (3,348 students vs. 2,407 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Wellesley College is located in Wellesley, MA (Large Suburban setting); Clarkson University is in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting).
  • Wellesley College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Clarkson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Wellesley College 7:1; Clarkson University 13:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clarkson University are 13.2% lower than at Wellesley College ($18,252 vs. $21,024).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 13.1% higher at Wellesley than at Clarkson University (about $7,778 more per year; $67,176 vs. $59,398).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University than at Wellesley College (100% vs. 54%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Wellesley College students is 37.8% larger than aid received by Clarkson University students ($64,116 vs. $46,528).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 6 points higher at Wellesley than at Clarkson (34 vs. 28, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Wellesley and Clarkson.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Wellesley Jan 8, 2027; Clarkson Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Wellesley average a 3.86 high school GPA, 0.06 higher than at Clarkson (3.8).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47.6% at Wellesley vs. 9.5% at Clarkson.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Wellesley College graduates have a $18,100 lower median loan debt than Clarkson graduates ($8,900 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Wellesley graduates have an estimated $187 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clarkson graduates ($92 vs. $279).
  • More Wellesley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Clarkson students, three years after graduation (86% 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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