Wellesley College vs Colgate University

Wellesley College and Colgate University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Wellesley, a women's college located in Massachusetts, boasts a highly selective admissions process with an acceptance rate of 22%, while Colgate, a coeducational university in New York, has a slightly higher acceptance rate of 26%. Wellesley's student body is predominantly female, while Colgate's is more evenly balanced. Both institutions excel in academics, with Wellesley known for its strengths in the social sciences and Colgate for its liberal arts and sciences programs. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into further details, including popular majors, graduation rates, and additional factors that may influence your college decision.

	Colgate University	Wellesley College
Overview
Location	Hamilton, New York	Wellesley, Massachusetts
Campus setting	Town: Distant	Suburb: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate
Students retention rate	93.0%	97.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	17.2%	16.2%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $60 Graduate: $50
SAT range	1350 - 1500	1400 - 1540
ACT range	32 - 34	31 - 34
Students submitting SAT score	29.0%	36.0%
Students submitting ACT score	21.0%	23.0%
Total number of applicants	17,540	7,663
Total number of admissions given out	3,015	1,240
Admitted students who chose to enroll	887	606
Yield rate	29.4%	48.9%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Not required
Recommendation letters	Required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Not required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$80,160	$64,602
Average net price	$24,500	$21,862
Tuition	$61,594	$60,424
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $7,496 Meal plan: $8,028	Room/dormitory: $9,704 Meal plan: $8,584
Available payment plans	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	41.0% Average amount $53,718	60.0% Average amount $55,483
Students receiving federal student loan	11.0% Average amount $4,253	13.0% Average amount $3,993
Students taking out private loans	3.0% Average amount $34,492	13.0% Average amount $5,043

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	3,164 Men 45.0% Women 55.0%	2,461 Men 1.2% Women 98.8%
Graduate students	12 Men 41.7% Women 58.3%	N/A
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Moderate
Out-of-state students	75.2%	N/A
International students	8.8%	13.8%
Campus local/setting	Town: Distant	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	2,972	2,211
First year students are required to live on campus?	Yes	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	New York New Jersey Connecticut California Pennsylvania	N/A

Academics
Popular study areas	Social Sciences Foreign Languages and Literatures Physical Science Ethnic Studies Visual & Performing Arts	Ethnic Studies Foreign Languages and Literatures Social Sciences Biological and Biomedical Sciences Physical Science
Students to faculty ratio	9:1	8:1
Institutional accreditation	Middle States Commission on Higher Education	New England Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	90.3%	92.1%
Dropout rate	2.8%	7.8%
Transferred out	6.7%	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $72,196 Year 2: $67,995 Year 3: $86,742 International Relations and National Security Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $53,775 Year 3: $67,401 Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $42,813 Year 2: $53,358 Year 3: $60,399 Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $48,179 Year 2: $47,260 Year 3: $57,947 Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $39,895 Year 2: $47,260 Year 3: $51,701 History (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $35,416 Year 3: $50,739 English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $44,610 Year 2: $36,848 Year 3: $43,419 Neurobiology and Neurosciences (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $33,641 Year 2: $32,925 Year 3: $40,037 Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $34,181 Year 2: $24,421 Year 3: $21,648 Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $44,942 Year 3: N/A	Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $110,380 Year 2: $86,867 Year 3: $124,973 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $70,781 Year 2: $76,460 Year 3: $80,094 Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $38,289 Year 3: $62,505 Area Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $36,749 Year 2: $34,420 Year 3: $47,043 Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $37,693 Year 2: $36,852 Year 3: $46,471 English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $37,849 Year 2: $31,314 Year 3: $45,061 Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $37,002 Year 2: $33,281 Year 3: $39,658 Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $29,685 Year 3: N/A Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $50,587 Year 2: $33,993 Year 3: N/A Computer Software and Media Applications (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $70,490 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Wellesley College and Colgate University?

Wellesley College is a highly selective women's liberal arts college known for its strong focus on empowering women and its close-knit community. Colgate University is a coeducational liberal arts university with a broader range of academic programs and a more traditional college experience. Wellesley emphasizes single-sex education, while Colgate offers a coeducational environment. Wellesley is located near Boston, providing easy access to urban resources, while Colgate is situated in a more rural setting in central New York.
How do Wellesley and Colgate compare in terms of academic focus?

Both Wellesley and Colgate offer strong liberal arts educations. Wellesley excels in fields like political science, economics, and STEM, with a particular emphasis on research opportunities for undergraduates. Colgate also has strong programs in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, and is known for its interdisciplinary approach to learning. While both offer a wide range of majors, Wellesley's curriculum is tailored to the unique needs and interests of women, while Colgate's curriculum is designed for a coeducational student body.
What is the campus environment like at Wellesley versus Colgate?

Wellesley's campus is known for its beautiful, serene setting on Lake Waban, fostering a strong sense of community among its students. The atmosphere is supportive and collaborative, with a focus on women's leadership and empowerment. Colgate's campus is located in a picturesque village, offering a more traditional college town experience. The social scene at Colgate is often described as more active and Greek life plays a more prominent role compared to Wellesley.
How do the locations of Wellesley and Colgate impact student life?

Wellesley's proximity to Boston provides students with easy access to internships, cultural events, and a vibrant urban environment. Students can easily explore the city and take advantage of its many resources. Colgate's rural location offers a more immersive college experience, with a strong sense of community within the university. While Colgate students may need to travel further for urban amenities, the campus itself provides a self-contained and engaging environment.
What are the admission rates and selectivity like for Wellesley and Colgate?

Both Wellesley and Colgate are highly selective institutions. Wellesley typically has a lower acceptance rate than Colgate, making it slightly more competitive to get into. Both schools look for students with strong academic records, extracurricular involvement, and compelling essays. However, Wellesley specifically seeks students who demonstrate a commitment to women's education and leadership.
How do Wellesley and Colgate compare in terms of financial aid?

Both Wellesley and Colgate are committed to meeting the demonstrated financial need of their students. They both offer need-based financial aid packages that may include grants, scholarships, and loans. It's best to visit their respective financial aid websites and use their net price calculators to get a personalized estimate of the cost of attendance based on your family's financial situation.
What are the career services and alumni networks like at Wellesley and Colgate?

Both Wellesley and Colgate offer comprehensive career services to help students with internships, job searches, and career planning. Wellesley's alumnae network is particularly strong and supportive, providing valuable connections and mentorship opportunities for graduates. Colgate also has a dedicated alumni network that supports students and graduates in their career pursuits. Both schools have a strong track record of placing graduates in a variety of fields.
Does Wellesley or Colgate have a stronger focus on athletics?

Colgate University is generally considered to have a stronger emphasis on athletics, particularly Division I sports, compared to Wellesley. Colgate participates in the Patriot League and has a wider range of varsity sports. Wellesley offers a variety of athletic opportunities, including Division III sports, but the overall athletic culture is less prominent than at Colgate.
What type of student thrives at Wellesley versus Colgate?

Wellesley is a great fit for students who are passionate about women's education, leadership, and empowerment. Students who thrive at Wellesley are typically independent, intellectually curious, and eager to contribute to a close-knit community. Colgate is well-suited for students who are looking for a traditional coeducational college experience with a strong sense of community and a balance of academics, athletics, and social activities. Students who thrive at Colgate are often outgoing, engaged, and enjoy a more active social scene.
Do Wellesley and Colgate offer study abroad programs?

Yes, both Wellesley and Colgate offer a variety of study abroad programs. Wellesley students can participate in programs around the world, often with a focus on women's issues or international development. Colgate also offers a wide range of study abroad opportunities, allowing students to immerse themselves in different cultures and academic environments. Both schools encourage students to take advantage of these opportunities to broaden their perspectives and enhance their global awareness.

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