Wellesley vs. Colgate

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

Wellesley College
Colgate University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Colgate (13.9% admitted vs 14%). Typical SAT 1490 vs 1510.
  • Cheaper after aid: Wellesley. Average net price is $22,174 vs $28,736 at Colgate.
  • Graduation: Wellesley 92% vs Colgate 92%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Wellesley $68,100 vs Colgate $75,300 (median).
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Key differences

Wellesley College Colgate University
Acceptance rate
Colgate more selective
Wellesley14%
Colgate13.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Wellesley higher
Wellesley1460-1560
Colgate1430-1540
Average net price
Wellesley $6,562 less
Wellesley$22,174
Colgate$28,736
In-state tuition
Wellesley $3,130 less
Wellesley$67,176
Colgate$70,306
Out-of-state tuition
Wellesley $3,130 less
Wellesley$67,176
Colgate$70,306
Graduation rate
Wellesley +0 pts
Wellesley92%
Colgate92%
Median earnings (10 years)
Colgate +$7,200
Wellesley$68,100
Colgate$75,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Wellesley 8,714
  • Colgate 20,682
  • Admitted
  • Wellesley 1,224
  • Colgate 2,871
  • Acceptance rate
  • Wellesley 14%
  • Colgate 13.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Wellesley 47.6%
  • Colgate 28.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Wellesley 1510
  • Colgate 1490
  • Typical ACT score
  • Wellesley 34
  • Colgate 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • Wellesley 3.86
  • Colgate 3.77
  • Typical high school grades
  • Wellesley A
  • Colgate A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Wellesley Elite
  • Colgate Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Wellesley Very High
  • Colgate Very High
  • SAT range
  • Wellesley 1460-1560
  • Colgate 1430-1540
  • ACT range
  • Wellesley 33-35
  • Colgate 33-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Wellesley Test optional
  • Colgate Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Wellesley Jan 8, 2027
  • Colgate Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Wellesley $67,176
  • Colgate $70,306
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Wellesley $67,176
  • Colgate $70,306
  • Room & board
  • Wellesley $21,024
  • Colgate $17,610
  • Average net price
  • Wellesley $22,174
  • Colgate $28,736
  • Average grant aid
  • Wellesley $64,116
  • Colgate $58,334
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Wellesley 54%
  • Colgate 43%
  • Graduation rate
  • Wellesley 92%
  • Colgate 92%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Wellesley $68,100
  • Colgate $75,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • Wellesley 86%
  • Colgate 86%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Wellesley $8,900
  • Colgate $16,125
  • Median loan payment
  • Wellesley $92
  • Colgate $166
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Wellesley 7:1
  • Colgate 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Wellesley
    • Social Sciences (28%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Ethnic Studies (9%)
    • Foreign Languages (9%)
    • Psychology (8%)
  • Colgate
    • Social Sciences (33%)
    • English and Literature (11%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Philosophy and Religious Studies (7%)
  • Location
  • Wellesley Wellesley, MA
  • Colgate Hamilton, NY
  • Setting
  • Wellesley Large Suburban
  • Colgate Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Wellesley 2,407
  • Colgate 3,211
  • Type
  • Wellesley Private 4 Year
  • Colgate Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Wellesley #18
  • Colgate #30

Comparable Facts

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

Colgate University is larger than Wellesley based on total student enrollment (3,211 students vs. 2,407 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Wellesley College is located in Wellesley, MA (Large Suburban setting); Colgate University is in Hamilton, NY (Distant Town setting).
  • Wellesley College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Colgate University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Wellesley College 7:1; Colgate University 9:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colgate University are 16.2% lower than at Wellesley College ($17,610 vs. $21,024).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 4.7% higher at Colgate than at Wellesley College (about $3,130 more per year; $70,306 vs. $67,176).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wellesley College than at Colgate University (54% vs. 43%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Wellesley College students is 9.9% larger than aid received by Colgate University students ($64,116 vs. $58,334).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Wellesley than at Colgate (34 vs. 33, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Wellesley and Colgate.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Wellesley Jan 8, 2027; Colgate Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Wellesley average a 3.86 high school GPA, 0.09 higher than at Colgate (3.77).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47.6% at Wellesley vs. 28.7% at Colgate.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Wellesley College graduates have a $7,225 lower median loan debt than Colgate graduates ($8,900 vs. $16,125).
  • Among borrowers, Wellesley graduates have an estimated $74 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colgate graduates ($92 vs. $166).
  • More Colgate graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wellesley 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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