Head-to-Head Comparison
Brown University vs Wellesley College
- Brown Wins
- 26
- Tied
- 19
- Wellesley Wins
- 9
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Brown University offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $25,184 vs Wellesley College's $25,496, Brown University delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. Students who choose Brown University benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $93,487 at ten years.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Brown
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $93,487 ten years after enrollment, 10% more than Wellesley College
- Lower cost: Average net price of $25,184, roughly $312 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 96% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- More selective: Admits 5% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Wellesley
- Less debt: Median debt of $10,000, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2.4%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Brown graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (25% of degrees); Wellesley in Social Sciences (23%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick Brown University over Wellesley College. Median earnings of $93,487 ten years after enrollment vs $84,803.
Pick Brown University over Wellesley College. Net price $25,184 vs $25,496.
Pick Wellesley College over Brown University. 2.4% mobility rate vs 1.4%.
Pick Brown University over Wellesley College. 96% completion rate vs 91%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Brown University and Wellesley College are close on paper, but Brown University wins the head-to-head, leading on 4 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Brown University is the harder admit. It takes 5% of applicants, while Wellesley College takes 14%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,546 to 1,520.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Brown University sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, Brown University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $25,184, about $312 a year below Wellesley College's $25,496. Graduates of Wellesley College also borrow less: median debt of $10,000, against $11,428.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $1,248 before any change in aid. Choosing Brown University leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Brown University graduates report median earnings of $93,487, compared with $84,803 at Wellesley College. That is a 10% advantage.
So what: An earnings gap of 10% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Finishing the degree
Brown University graduates a larger share of its students, 96% versus 91%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 4% is a risk measure. Students at the school with the lower rate face higher odds of leaving with debt and no degree, the most expensive outcome in higher education.
Moving people up
Wellesley College does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2.4%; at Brown University, it is 1.4%. Brown University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 11.5% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 5.5%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Wellesley College offers the stronger statistical shot at reaching the top of the income distribution. The gap is wide enough to weigh in any access-minded decision.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Brown University to keep costs and debt down; pick Wellesley College if upward mobility and access matter most.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 6 of 6 core signals used here, so every comparison above matches reported data against reported data.
Counterintuitive Insights
Brown University is harder to get into, with a 5% admit rate, but Wellesley College posts the higher mobility rate, at 2.4%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Students who want a smaller campus: Brown University's enrollment of 7,226 far exceeds Wellesley College's 2,300.
No strong negative signals — Wellesley competes well across the dimensions measured.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Brown holds onto its admits more tightly: 63% of admitted students enroll, versus 46% at Wellesley — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Both reward applying early, but the binding round pays off more at Wellesley (29.4% Early Decision admit rate vs 17.9%). Early Decision is binding, so it only makes sense if the school is a clear first choice. Test scores matter less at Wellesley, where only about 62% of enrolled freshmen submitted any SAT or ACT.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 6 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Research (Times HE) 4 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Brown University
Providence, RI · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 5%, Brown University in Providence, RI, is a selective option that attracts students driven to excel academically and personally. It’s a place for those who thrive in a collaborative environment and are eager to dive into programs like Social Sciences, Computer Science, Biology, Mathematics, and Engineering. The high graduation rate of 96% speaks to the strong support system in place, making it a solid choice for ambitious students.
After graduation, Brown alumni see impressive earning potential, with a median income of $93,487 ten years post-graduation. This financial trajectory suggests that graduates are not just securing jobs, but often moving into roles that reward their hard work. While this school may come with a price tag, the outcomes reflect a community that values education and shapes successful careers.
When it comes to the finances, the net price after aid stands at $25,184, and the median debt is relatively manageable at $11,428. This is encouraging, especially for students who may be concerned about student loans. Those who tend to thrive here are often self-motivated and ready to engage deeply with their studies, taking full advantage of the opportunities that come their way.
Wellesley College
Wellesley, MA · Private nonprofit
Wellesley College is a great fit for students who are focused on a strong academic experience and personal growth. With an acceptance rate of just 14%, this school attracts motivated individuals who are passionate about subjects like Social Sciences, Biology, and Computer Science. The environment here is tailored for those who thrive in a rigorous, supportive setting, making it a solid choice for anyone serious about their studies.
After graduation, Wellesley alumni see impressive outcomes, with a median earnings figure of $84,803 after ten years. This reflects the value of a Wellesley education in the job market. While the cost of attendance can be a concern, the school’s commitment to affordability helps many students manage their financial futures. The relatively low median debt of $10,000 for graduates suggests that most leave with manageable financial obligations.
When it comes to the practicalities, the net price after aid sits at $25,496, which is reasonable for a private institution. Students who tend to thrive here are often those who appreciate a close-knit community and seek a challenging academic environment. With a graduation rate of 91%, it’s clear that Wellesley supports its students well, helping them not just to finish their degrees, but to succeed afterward.
Rankings They Appear On
Brown University and Wellesley College appear together in 5 rankings. On the Best Colleges in New England, Brown University ranks #3 — Brown University outranks Wellesley College by 2 positions.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Sociology as their top enrolled program field, comprising 25% of Brown's student body and 23% of Wellesley's.
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Brown) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Wellesley).
The two schools feed different job markets. Brown University is strongest in Mathematics & Statistics, while Wellesley College concentrates in Physical Sciences. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Brown University or Wellesley College?
Brown University is harder to get into, admitting 5% of applicants compared with 14% at Wellesley College.
Which is more affordable, Brown University or Wellesley College?
Brown University is more affordable, with an average net price of $25,184 after aid versus $25,496 at Wellesley College.
Do Brown University or Wellesley College graduates earn more?
Brown University graduates earn more: median earnings of $93,487 ten years after enrollment, versus $84,803 at Wellesley College.
Which has a better graduation rate, Brown University or Wellesley College?
Brown University has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 91%.
Brown University vs Wellesley College: which is better for social mobility?
Wellesley College is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 2.4% versus 1.4%.
Should you choose Brown University or Wellesley College?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Brown University if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Wellesley College if upward mobility and access to low-income students matter most. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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