Head-to-Head Comparison
Davidson College vs Wellesley College
- Davidson Wins
- 11
- Tied
- 14
- Wellesley Wins
- 25
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Davidson College offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $17,379 vs Wellesley College's $25,496, Davidson College delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. Students who choose Davidson College benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $81,400 at ten years.
50 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Davidson
- Lower cost: Average net price of $17,379, roughly $8,117 a year less
Wellesley
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $84,803 ten years after enrollment, 4% more than Davidson College
- 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?
Davidson graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (23% 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 Wellesley College over Davidson College. Median earnings of $84,803 ten years after enrollment vs $81,400.
Pick Davidson College over Wellesley College. Net price $17,379 vs $25,496.
Pick Wellesley College over Davidson College. 2.4% mobility rate vs 0.4%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Davidson College and Wellesley College split the core measures almost evenly. Neither comes out a clean winner, so the choice rests on which of these dimensions you care about most.
Getting in
Davidson College is the harder admit. It takes 13% of applicants, while Wellesley College takes 14%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,469 to 1,520.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Davidson College 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, Davidson College comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $17,379, about $8,117 a year below Wellesley College's $25,496. Graduates of Wellesley College also borrow less: median debt of $10,000, against $18,688.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $32,468 before any change in aid. Choosing Davidson College leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Wellesley College graduates report median earnings of $84,803, compared with $81,400 at Davidson College. That is a 4% advantage. Set against borrowing, Wellesley College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.12x to 0.23x.
So what: An earnings gap of 4% 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.
Moving people up
Wellesley College does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2.4%; at Davidson College, it is 0.4%. Wellesley College also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 5.5% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 1.4%.
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 Davidson College to keep costs and debt down; pick Wellesley College for the higher earnings ceiling.
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
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. Davidson College saves about $8,117 a year, yet Wellesley College graduates earn $3,403 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Davidson College is harder to get into, with a 13% 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.
Their academic identities diverge. Davidson College concentrates enrollment in Psychology, while Wellesley College leans toward Computer Science & IT. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $18,688, against $10,000 at Wellesley College.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Davidson College's enrollment, and Wellesley College is stronger here.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $25,496 runs well above Davidson College's $17,379.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Davidson holds onto its admits more tightly: 47% 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 29.1%). Early Decision is binding, so it only makes sense if the school is a clear first choice.
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
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Davidson College
Davidson, NC · Private nonprofit
Davidson College is an ideal choice for students who thrive in a small, close-knit community, with an enrollment of just 1,867. With an acceptance rate of 13%, it attracts motivated individuals looking for a rigorous academic environment. Students here dive into a variety of programs, including Social Sciences, Biology and Biomedical fields, Psychology, Physical Sciences, and Computer Science and IT. This range of studies suggests a strong commitment to understanding both the human experience and the scientific world.
Looking at life after graduation, we can see that Davidson graduates tend to do quite well for themselves, with an impressive 10-year earnings average of $81,400. This figure reflects the value of a Davidson degree in the job market. The affordability factor is also noteworthy, as 18% of students receive Pell Grants, which helps to lighten the financial burden for those who need it most.
In terms of finances, the net price after aid is around $17,379, which is manageable for many families. Graduates leave with a median debt of $18,688, a relatively low figure that suggests a commitment to keeping education accessible. Those who tend to thrive at Davidson are often self-driven, academically inclined, and deeply engaged in their communities, making the most of both their education and the connections they build during their time here.
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
Davidson College is featured on the Best Education Colleges in North Carolina ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Sociology as their top enrolled program field, comprising 23% of Davidson'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 Davidson) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Wellesley).
The two schools feed different job markets. Davidson College is strongest in Psychology, 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 Davidson College or Wellesley College?
Davidson College is harder to get into, admitting 13% of applicants compared with 14% at Wellesley College.
Which is more affordable, Davidson College or Wellesley College?
Davidson College is more affordable, with an average net price of $17,379 after aid versus $25,496 at Wellesley College.
Do Davidson College or Wellesley College graduates earn more?
Wellesley College graduates earn more: median earnings of $84,803 ten years after enrollment, versus $81,400 at Davidson College.
Which has a better graduation rate, Davidson College or Wellesley College?
Davidson College has the higher graduation rate, 91% versus 91%.
Davidson College 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 0.4%.
Should you choose Davidson College or Wellesley College?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Davidson College if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Wellesley College if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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