Head-to-Head Comparison
University of Chicago vs Wellesley College
- Chicago Wins
- 27
- Tied
- 15
- Wellesley Wins
- 12
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of Chicago offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $14,860 vs Wellesley College's $25,496, University of Chicago delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. Students who choose University of Chicago benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $91,885 at ten years.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Chicago
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $91,885 ten years after enrollment, 8% more than Wellesley College
- Lower cost: Average net price of $14,860, roughly $10,636 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 95% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- More selective: Admits 4% 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?
Chicago graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (40% 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 University of Chicago over Wellesley College. Median earnings of $91,885 ten years after enrollment vs $84,803.
Pick University of Chicago over Wellesley College. Net price $14,860 vs $25,496.
Pick Wellesley College over University of Chicago. 2.4% mobility rate vs 1.9%.
Pick University of Chicago over Wellesley College. 95% completion rate vs 91%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
University of Chicago and Wellesley College are close on paper, but University of Chicago 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
University of Chicago is the harder admit. It takes 4% of applicants, while Wellesley College takes 14%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,554 to 1,520.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, University of Chicago 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, University of Chicago comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $14,860, about $10,636 a year below Wellesley College's $25,496. Graduates of Wellesley College also borrow less: median debt of $10,000, against $15,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $42,544 before any change in aid. Choosing University of Chicago leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, University of Chicago graduates report median earnings of $91,885, compared with $84,803 at Wellesley College. That is a 8% advantage. Set against borrowing, Wellesley College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.12x to 0.16x.
So what: An earnings gap of 8% 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
University of Chicago graduates a larger share of its students, 95% 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 University of Chicago, it is 1.9%. Wellesley College also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 5.5% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 4.3%.
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 University of Chicago 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
University of Chicago is harder to get into, with a 4% 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. University of Chicago concentrates enrollment in Mathematics & Statistics, while Wellesley College leans toward 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 $15,000, against $10,000 at Wellesley College.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of University of Chicago's enrollment, and Wellesley College is stronger here.
- Students who want a smaller campus: University of Chicago's enrollment of 7,569 far exceeds Wellesley College's 2,300.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $25,496 runs well above University of Chicago's $14,860.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Chicago holds onto its admits more tightly: 88% of admitted students enroll, versus 46% at Wellesley — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices.
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
University of Chicago
Chicago, IL · Private nonprofit
The University of Chicago has an acceptance rate of just 4%, making it one of the most selective institutions in the country. This means students face stiff competition to gain admission, but those who do become part of a community committed to academic excellence. With a graduation rate of 95%, students are likely to earn their degrees and move on to successful careers.
Graduates from the University of Chicago report impressive earnings. After ten years, their median income reaches $91,885. This level of financial success reflects the school’s strong academic programs, particularly in social sciences, biology, and computer science. While the Pell Grant rate is 15%, indicating that a portion of students come from low-income backgrounds, the institution does not provide specific data on economic mobility.
The cost of attendance is $14,860, and the median debt for graduates stands at $15,000. This relatively low debt compared to earnings suggests that students can manage their finances effectively after graduation. The University of Chicago is ideal for high-achieving students who thrive in a rigorous academic environment and are motivated to leverage their education for financial success.
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
University of Chicago and Wellesley College appear together in 7 rankings. On the Highest-Yield Colleges (Most-Loved), University of Chicago ranks #1 — University of Chicago outranks Wellesley College by 34 positions.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Sociology as their top enrolled program field, comprising 40% of Chicago'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 Chicago) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Wellesley).
The two schools feed different job markets. University of Chicago 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 University of Chicago or Wellesley College?
University of Chicago is harder to get into, admitting 4% of applicants compared with 14% at Wellesley College.
Which is more affordable, University of Chicago or Wellesley College?
University of Chicago is more affordable, with an average net price of $14,860 after aid versus $25,496 at Wellesley College.
Do University of Chicago or Wellesley College graduates earn more?
University of Chicago graduates earn more: median earnings of $91,885 ten years after enrollment, versus $84,803 at Wellesley College.
Which has a better graduation rate, University of Chicago or Wellesley College?
University of Chicago has the higher graduation rate, 95% versus 91%.
University of Chicago 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 1.9%.
Should you choose University of Chicago or Wellesley College?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose University of Chicago 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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