Head-to-Head Comparison
Emory University vs Wellesley College
- Emory Wins
- 17
- Tied
- 18
- Wellesley Wins
- 19
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Emory University offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $22,585 vs Wellesley College's $25,496, Emory University delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. Students who choose Emory University benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $80,137 at ten years.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Emory
- Lower cost: Average net price of $22,585, roughly $2,911 a year less
- More selective: Admits 11% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Wellesley
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $84,803 ten years after enrollment, 6% more than Emory University
- 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?
Emory graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (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 Emory University. Median earnings of $84,803 ten years after enrollment vs $80,137.
Pick Emory University over Wellesley College. Net price $22,585 vs $25,496.
Pick Wellesley College over Emory University. 2.4% mobility rate vs 1.8%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Emory University 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
Emory University is the harder admit. It takes 11% of applicants, while Wellesley College takes 14%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,520 to 1,520.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Emory 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, Emory University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $22,585, about $2,911 a year below Wellesley College's $25,496. Graduates of Wellesley College also borrow less: median debt of $10,000, against $18,250.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $11,644 before any change in aid. Choosing Emory University 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 $80,137 at Emory University. That is a 6% advantage. Set against borrowing, Wellesley College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.12x to 0.23x.
So what: An earnings gap of 6% 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 Emory University, it is 1.8%. Wellesley College also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 5.5% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 3.6%.
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 Emory University 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. Emory University saves about $2,911 a year, yet Wellesley College graduates earn $4,666 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Emory University is harder to get into, with a 11% 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. Emory University concentrates enrollment in Business & Marketing, 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 $18,250, against $10,000 at Wellesley College.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Emory University's enrollment, and Wellesley College is stronger here.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Emory University's enrollment of 7,298 far exceeds Wellesley College's 2,300.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $25,496 runs well above Emory University's $22,585.
- Business and consulting-track students: Wellesley College has less business program depth, and Emory University offers the stronger options.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Wellesley holds onto its admits more tightly: 46% of admitted students enroll, versus 40% at Emory — 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 23.2%). 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
Research (Times HE) 4 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Emory University
Atlanta, GA · Private nonprofit
Emory University has an impressive graduation rate of 91%. This high percentage reflects the strong support systems in place for students and their ability to successfully navigate their academic journeys. With an acceptance rate of just 11%, Emory attracts a competitive pool of applicants, ensuring a diverse and engaged student body.
According to Opportunity Insights data, Emory's graduates earn a median salary of $80,137 ten years after enrollment. This earning potential suggests that students are well-prepared for the job market, particularly in fields like business, health professions, and social sciences. While detailed mobility rates are not available, the strong outcomes indicate that students from various socioeconomic backgrounds can succeed here.
The net price for attending Emory is $22,585, with a median debt of $18,250. This financial framework allows many students to graduate with manageable debt levels. Emory is ideal for motivated students who thrive in an academically rigorous environment and seek strong career outcomes post-graduation.
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
Emory University is featured on the Best Nursing Colleges in Georgia ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Emory's top program is Business Administration (23% of enrollment), while Wellesley leads with Sociology (23%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Emory) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Wellesley).
The two schools feed different job markets. Emory University is strongest in Business & Marketing, Health Professions, while Wellesley College concentrates in Computer Science & IT, 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 Emory University or Wellesley College?
Emory University is harder to get into, admitting 11% of applicants compared with 14% at Wellesley College.
Which is more affordable, Emory University or Wellesley College?
Emory University is more affordable, with an average net price of $22,585 after aid versus $25,496 at Wellesley College.
Do Emory University or Wellesley College graduates earn more?
Wellesley College graduates earn more: median earnings of $84,803 ten years after enrollment, versus $80,137 at Emory University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Emory University or Wellesley College?
Emory University has the higher graduation rate, 91% versus 91%.
Emory 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 1.8%.
Should you choose Emory University or Wellesley College?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Emory University 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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