Wellesley College
Wellesley, MA, USA

Tuition, Cost & Aid

Affordability and Cost

Average Net Price Average net price for full-time, first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates paying the in-state or in-district tuition rate who were awarded grant or scholarship aid from federal, state or local governments, or the institution. Other sources of grant aid are excluded. Aid awarded anytime during the full aid year is included.

Average net price is generated by subtracting the average amount of federal, state or local government, or institutional grant and scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. Total cost of attendance is the sum of published tuition and required fees (lower of in-district or in-state), books and supplies and the weighted average room and board and other expenses.
$21,614
Calculate your net cost
Average Net Price By Family Income
Income
Average Amount
< $30k
$8,204
$30k - $48k
$9,948
$48k - $75k
$12,150
$75k - $110k
$22,080
$110k+
$43,848
Tuition
In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution.
$61,920
Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school.
$61,920
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
  • (amount for on-campus room, board and other expenses * # of students living on-campus.
  • + amount for off-campus (with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus with family
  • + amount for off-campus (not with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus not with family)
divided by the total # of students. Students whose living arrangements are unknown are excluded from the calculation. For some institutions the # of students by living arrangement will be known, but dollar amounts will not be known. In this case the # of students with no corresponding dollar amount will be excluded from the denominator.
$19,080
Books and Supplies
$800
Tuition Payment Plan
Yes
Financial Aid: visit page
Financial Aid Email: [email protected]

Aid & Grants

0
100
100%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
21%
Average Aid Per Year
$54,101
Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
21%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$3,194
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$51,626
Students receiving state aid
2%
Average State Grant Aid Per Year
$2,664
Students receiving federal aid
51%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$3,194
Average Grant & Scholarship By Family Income
Income
Average Amount
< $30k
$65,524
$30k - $48k
$67,177
$48k - $75k
$64,406
$75k - $110k
$52,494
$110k+
$26,658
Total Needs Based Scholarships/Grants Total amount of grant or scholarship aid awarded to all undergraduates from the federal government, state/local government, the institution, and other sources known to the institution.
$78,631,640
Total Non-Need-Based Scholarships/Grants
$1,328,134

Student Loans

Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
30%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$5,843
Students receiving federal loans
23%
Average Federal Loans Per Year
$3,474
Average Other Loans Per Year
$6,940
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$10,000
Loan Default Rate
1%
US National: 7%
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$105

What Students Are Saying

Definitely worth the money. The Wellesley experience is incredible. Everyone works so hard--as one of the top in my state, I went to Wellesley and met girls who were the top in their respective states, and met upperclassmen who, in my eyes, were close to achieving rocker status because they had done so many lovely, cool, and commendable things. Seriously try and visit campus and meet some of the students if you can--the prospectives I met all were awed by how much they loved Wellesley and by how nice and great the students were. There is no hierarchy, belittling, or aggression between Wellesley women--just intense yet respectful competition, and it is really every woman against herself. You compete to be better than you thought you could be--if you feel stupid because everyone else around you seems uber smart, guess what? Everyone around you feels the same way. Wellesley women intimidate Wellesley women, and that makes all of us try that much harder. We know how to party, have fun, and take care of ourselves--you do NOT have to do all-nighters if you manage your time well--but we study hard and also form meaningful relationships with faculty and students that you can't get at big universities or even at such an acclaimed school as Harvard. Wellesley is great because it is small, it is all-girls, it is far enough from Boston to be a real college and campus experience but close enough that you aren't in the middle of nowhere, it really tries to meet the needs of each student, and since it is a liberal arts school, will teach you all the skills you need for success as a person, worker, boss, wife, daughter, cousin, politician, lawyer, service worker... whatever your role is!
Christine from Salt Lake City, UT
Wellesley is a private college and very expensive. Their financial aid program is fantastic, for those who make the cut-off. Unfortunately, I do not; I have found it difficult to finance my Wellesley education (I am paying for half of my tuition, room, and board). However, I have not transferred because I know that the education I am getting here is unparalleled and the bright, talented, friendly women who attend Wellesley could not be found at a school with a lower price tag.
A student from Brussels, Belgium
If you're paying full-price, Wellesley's a tad on the expensive side, although the many resources available just might make it worthwhile. However, the college is pretty generous with financial aid: 60% of the student body receives some sort of aid, and for those who want work, there are many positions all around campus available.
Kiana from Worcester, MA
Wellesley's academics does give you a lot for your dollar because the professors are very approachable and helpful, and the courses are challenging. The support given to the individual students is very good since class sizes are intimate and I feel like that is something hard to come by. The high level of academics matches the high tuition cost, but calculated into the full attendance cost is an unusually expensive one-and-only meal plan, which makes me feel like I have to eat in the dining halls to get the most bang for my meal plan buck.
Student
Wellesley seems to be a little on the expensive side, but when considering all that we as students receive and have available (the Wellesley transportation, the great food, etc), it's reasonable. And Wellesley prides itself on giving good, reasonable financial aid.
Anonymous from Miami, FL
Wellesley provides some amazing connections and opportunities you will get no where else
Meagan from Wellesley, MA
It is a very expensive school. Although for some they give incredible financial aid, it is not universal to the entire student body. You get a lot of perks because you pay for them and there are incredible internships that the college will pay for.
Emmet from San Franciso, CA
Oh man, the town of Wellesley is rated like among the top 3 wealthiest cities in the U.S. sometimes so you better believe stuff here is expensive. Boston isn't so bad, but you can't go without money. If you have a job, it's not so bad. If you get a really good financial aid package, your job will let you have all the fun you want if you're careful.
In terms of the EDUCATION, if you're from a low-income family, you can get a really good financial aid package. If not, I know it depends. Overall, the Wellesley education is great, IF you already come from money. Wellesley has a lot of resources to help out though.
Mina from Ontario, CA
Be sure to take a wide variety of classes and take advantage of the many departments. Every major at Wellesley thinks her department is the best department. Also, take advantage of Wellesley's many partnerships with other schools by taking classes at Olin (engineering), Babson (business/entrepreneurship), or MIT. What a deal!
Mackenzie from San Francisco, CA