Wesleyan University vs. Stanford

Deciding between Wesleyan University and Stanford University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Wesleyan University
Stanford University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Wesleyan University Middletown, CT
  • Stanford Stanford, CA
  • Setting
  • Wesleyan University Small City
  • Stanford Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Wesleyan University 4,011
  • Stanford 18,625
  • Type
  • Wesleyan University Private 4 Year
  • Stanford Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Wesleyan University #36
  • Stanford #3
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Wesleyan University -
  • Stanford -
  • Status
  • Wesleyan University Non-profit
  • Stanford Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Wesleyan University
  • Stanford

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Wesleyan University $70,342
  • Stanford $65,910
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Wesleyan University $70,342
  • Stanford $65,910
  • Room & Board
  • Wesleyan University $19,872
  • Stanford $21,315
  • Average Net Price
  • Wesleyan University $23,025
  • Stanford $25,078
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Wesleyan University $65,995
  • Stanford $62,755
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Wesleyan University 42%
  • Stanford 61%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Wesleyan University 14,389
  • Stanford 57,326
  • Admitted
  • Wesleyan University 2,373
  • Stanford 2,067
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Wesleyan University 16.5%
  • Stanford 3.6%
  • Enrolled
  • Wesleyan University 34.8%
  • Stanford 81.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Wesleyan University 1480
  • Stanford 1550
  • Typical ACT score
  • Wesleyan University 34
  • Stanford 34
  • Average High School GPA
  • Wesleyan University -
  • Stanford 3.96
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Wesleyan University -
  • Stanford A
  • Admissions Standards
  • Wesleyan University Elite
  • Stanford Elite
  • Applicant Competition
  • Wesleyan University Very High
  • Stanford Extreme
  • ACT Range
  • Wesleyan University 33/35
  • Stanford 34/35
  • SAT Range
  • Wesleyan University 1415/1540
  • Stanford 1510/1580
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Wesleyan University Test optional
  • Stanford Required
  • Application Deadline
  • Wesleyan University Jan 1, 2027
  • Stanford Jan 2, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Wesleyan University 8:1
  • Stanford 6:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Wesleyan University
    • Social Sciences (24%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (14%)
    • Ethnic Studies (12%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
  • Stanford
    • Social Sciences (21%)
    • General Studies (16%)
    • Engineering (15%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (5%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Wesleyan University 92%
  • Stanford 96%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Wesleyan University $58,000
  • Stanford $122,900
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Wesleyan University 89%
  • Stanford 88%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Wesleyan University $17,500
  • Stanford $12,475
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Wesleyan University $180
  • Stanford $128

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Wesleyan University 47%
  • Stanford 52%
  • % Women
  • Wesleyan University 53%
  • Stanford 48%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Wesleyan University High
  • Stanford Very High
  • HBCU
  • Wesleyan University No
  • Stanford No
  • % White
  • Wesleyan University 53%
  • Stanford 37%
  • % Asian
  • Wesleyan University 8%
  • Stanford 20%
  • % Black
  • Wesleyan University 7%
  • Stanford 6%
  • % Hispanic
  • Wesleyan University 11%
  • Stanford 15%
  • % Native American
  • Wesleyan University 0%
  • Stanford 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Wesleyan University 0%
  • Stanford 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Wesleyan University 6%
  • Stanford 10%
  • % International
  • Wesleyan University 9%
  • Stanford 9%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Wesleyan University 5%
  • Stanford 0%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Wesleyan University 8%
  • Stanford 38%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Wesleyan University 78%
  • Stanford 45%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Wesleyan University Yes
  • Stanford Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Wesleyan University Yes
  • Stanford Yes
  • Meal Plan
  • Wesleyan University Yes
  • Stanford Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Wesleyan University No
  • Stanford No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Wesleyan University No
  • Stanford Yes

Comparable Facts

Compare Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT with Stanford University in Stanford, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Stanford University is larger than Wesleyan University based on total student enrollment (18,625 students vs. 4,011 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Wesleyan University is located in Middletown, CT (Small City setting); Stanford University is in Stanford, CA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Stanford University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Wesleyan University 8:1; Stanford University 6:1.

Wesleyan University vs. Stanford Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wesleyan University or Stanford? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Wesleyan University than Stanford ($23,025 vs. $25,078).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wesleyan University are 6.8% lower than at Stanford University ($19,872 vs. $21,315).
  • Wesleyan University is 6.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Stanford (about $4,432 more per year; $70,342.00 vs. $65,910.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 6.7% higher at Wesleyan University than at Stanford University (about $4,432 more per year; $70,342.00 vs. $65,910.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Stanford University than at Wesleyan University (61% vs. 42%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Wesleyan University students is 5.2% larger than aid received by Stanford University students ($65,995 vs. $62,755).

Wesleyan University vs. Stanford Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wesleyan University or Stanford? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Stanford and Wesleyan University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Stanford University (1550) is 70 points higher than at Wesleyan University (1480).
  • Incoming Wesleyan University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Stanford (34).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wesleyan University 1415/1540; Stanford University 1510/1580.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wesleyan University 33/35; Stanford University 34/35.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wesleyan University - Test optional; Stanford - Required.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Wesleyan University Jan 1, 2027; Stanford Jan 2, 2027.
  • Wesleyan University has a higher acceptance rate (16.5%) than Stanford (3.6%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Wesleyan University vs. 81.9% at Stanford.

Wesleyan University vs. Stanford Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wesleyan University and Stanford? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

  • Stanford University's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Wesleyan University's (92%).
  • Graduates from Stanford University earn a median of about $64,900 more per year than Wesleyan University graduates about ten years after starting college ($122,900 vs. $58,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Stanford University graduates have a $5,025 lower median loan debt than Wesleyan University graduates ($12,475 vs. $17,500).
  • Among borrowers, Stanford graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wesleyan University graduates ($128 vs. $180).
  • More Wesleyan University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Stanford students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 88%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.