Head-to-Head Comparison
Massachusetts Institute of Technology vs Wellesley College
- Massachusetts Technology Wins
- 28
- Tied
- 20
- Wellesley Wins
- 6
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Massachusetts Institute of Technology offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $20,111 vs Wellesley College's $25,496, Massachusetts Institute of Technology delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. Students who choose Massachusetts Institute of Technology benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $143,372 at ten years.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Massachusetts Technology
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $143,372 ten years after enrollment, 69% more than Wellesley College
- Lower cost: Average net price of $20,111, roughly $5,385 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 96% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 3.4%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- 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
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Massachusetts Technology graduates concentrate in Computer Science & IT (35% 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 Massachusetts Institute of Technology over Wellesley College. Median earnings of $143,372 ten years after enrollment vs $84,803.
Pick Massachusetts Institute of Technology over Wellesley College. Net price $20,111 vs $25,496.
Pick Massachusetts Institute of Technology over Wellesley College. 3.4% mobility rate vs 2.4%.
Pick Massachusetts Institute of Technology 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
Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Wellesley College are close on paper, but Massachusetts Institute of Technology wins the head-to-head, leading on 5 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is the harder admit. It takes 5% of applicants, while Wellesley College takes 14%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,560 to 1,520.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Massachusetts Institute of Technology 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, Massachusetts Institute of Technology comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $20,111, about $5,385 a year below Wellesley College's $25,496. Graduates of Wellesley College also borrow less: median debt of $10,000, against $14,768.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $21,540 before any change in aid. Choosing Massachusetts Institute of Technology leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates report median earnings of $143,372, compared with $84,803 at Wellesley College. That is a 69% advantage. Set against borrowing, Massachusetts Institute of Technology has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.1x to 0.12x.
So what: An earnings gap of 69% 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
Massachusetts Institute of Technology 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 5% 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
Massachusetts Institute of Technology does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 3.4%; at Wellesley College, it is 2.4%. Wellesley College also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 5.5% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 5.1%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Massachusetts Institute of Technology 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 Massachusetts Institute of Technology to keep costs and debt down.
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
Their academic identities diverge. Massachusetts Institute of Technology concentrates enrollment in Engineering, Mathematics & Statistics, while Wellesley College leans toward Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $14,768, against $10,000 at Wellesley College.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Massachusetts Institute of Technology's enrollment of 4,535 far exceeds Wellesley College's 2,300.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $25,496 runs well above Massachusetts Institute of Technology's $20,111.
- Engineering-focused students: Massachusetts Institute of Technology has the stronger engineering programs.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Wellesley offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Massachusetts Technology does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there. 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
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 5%, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology attracts a highly motivated and academically driven student body. This is a place for those who excel in challenging fields, particularly in engineering, computer science, mathematics, physical sciences, and biology. Students here are often hands-on learners, engaging in rigorous projects and research that push the boundaries of what’s possible.
Once students graduate, they typically see significant financial returns on their investment. With an average salary of $143,372 after ten years, graduates are well-positioned in the job market. This level of earning power speaks volumes about the value of the education they receive here. The affordability of attending is also noteworthy; with a net price of $20,111 after aid, many students leave with a manageable median debt of $14,768, making the financial landscape more navigable.
The practical aspects of attending MIT align well with the ambitions of its students. Those who thrive here are often those who embrace intense academic rigor and collaborative environments. With a graduation rate of 96%, it’s clear that the supportive community helps students succeed. The combination of a strong educational foundation and a network of driven peers prepares graduates for a range of career paths and success in their chosen fields.
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
Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Wellesley College appear together in 6 rankings. On the Best Colleges in Massachusetts, Massachusetts Institute of Technology ranks #1 — Massachusetts Institute of Technology outranks Wellesley College by 3 positions.
Top Degree Programs
Massachusetts Technology's top program is Computer Science (35% of enrollment), while Wellesley leads with Sociology (23%).
Massachusetts Technology
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Massachusetts Technology) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Wellesley).
The two schools feed different job markets. Massachusetts Institute of Technology is strongest in Engineering, Mathematics & Statistics, while Wellesley College concentrates in Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical. 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 Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Wellesley College?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is harder to get into, admitting 5% of applicants compared with 14% at Wellesley College.
Which is more affordable, Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Wellesley College?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is more affordable, with an average net price of $20,111 after aid versus $25,496 at Wellesley College.
Do Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Wellesley College graduates earn more?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn more: median earnings of $143,372 ten years after enrollment, versus $84,803 at Wellesley College.
Which has a better graduation rate, Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Wellesley College?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 91%.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology vs Wellesley College: which is better for social mobility?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 3.4% versus 2.4%.
Should you choose Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Wellesley College?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Massachusetts Institute of Technology if affordability and lower debt come first. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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