Head-to-Head Comparison
University of San Francisco vs Wellesley College
- San Francisco Wins
- 22
- Tied
- 15
- Wellesley Wins
- 17
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Wellesley College offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $25,496 vs University of San Francisco's $41,431, Wellesley College delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Wellesley College's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
San Francisco
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $89,812 ten years after enrollment, 6% more than Wellesley College
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2.7%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
Wellesley
- Lower cost: Average net price of $25,496, roughly $15,935 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 91% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $10,000, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 14% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
San Francisco graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (18% 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 San Francisco over Wellesley College. Median earnings of $89,812 ten years after enrollment vs $84,803.
Pick Wellesley College over University of San Francisco. Net price $25,496 vs $41,431.
Pick University of San Francisco over Wellesley College. 2.7% mobility rate vs 2.4%.
Pick Wellesley College over University of San Francisco. 91% completion rate vs 71%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
University of San Francisco and Wellesley College are close on paper, but Wellesley College 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
Wellesley College is the harder admit. It takes 14% of applicants, while University of San Francisco takes 62%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,295 to 1,520.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Wellesley 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, Wellesley College comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $25,496, about $15,935 a year below University of San Francisco's $41,431. Graduates of Wellesley College also borrow less: median debt of $10,000, against $23,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $63,740 before any change in aid. Choosing Wellesley College leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, University of San Francisco graduates report median earnings of $89,812, compared with $84,803 at Wellesley College. That is a 6% advantage. Set against borrowing, Wellesley College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.12x to 0.26x.
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.
Finishing the degree
Wellesley College graduates a larger share of its students, 91% versus 71%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 21% 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
University of San Francisco does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2.7%; at Wellesley College, it is 2.4%. University of San Francisco also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 5.9% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 5.5%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, University of San Francisco 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 Wellesley College to keep costs and debt down; pick University of San Francisco 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. Wellesley College saves about $15,935 a year, yet University of San Francisco graduates earn $5,009 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Wellesley College is harder to get into, with a 14% admit rate, but University of San Francisco posts the higher mobility rate, at 2.7%. 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 San Francisco concentrates enrollment in Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Psychology, while Wellesley College leans toward Social Sciences, Computer Science & IT, Biology & Biomedical. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $41,431 runs well above Wellesley College's $25,496.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $23,000, against $10,000 at Wellesley College.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of University of San Francisco's enrollment, and Wellesley College is stronger here.
- Students who want a smaller campus: University of San Francisco's enrollment of 5,287 far exceeds Wellesley College's 2,300.
- Business and consulting-track students: Wellesley College has less business program depth, and University of San Francisco offers the stronger options.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Wellesley holds onto its admits more tightly: 46% of admitted students enroll, versus 6% at San Francisco — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Both reward applying early, but the binding round pays off more at San Francisco (49.4% Early Decision admit rate vs 29.4%). Early Decision is binding, so it only makes sense if the school is a clear first choice. Test scores matter less at San Francisco, where only about 42% 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
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA · Private nonprofit
Students at the University of San Francisco can expect to earn an average of $89,812 within ten years of graduation. This strong earning potential reflects the university's focus on practical skills and career readiness. With an acceptance rate of 62%, the university maintains a balance of accessibility and selectivity.
The Chetty/Opportunity Insights data is not available for this institution, but the outcomes for graduates suggest a solid return on investment. The graduation rate stands at 71%, indicating that a significant majority of students complete their degrees. This completion rate, combined with the potential earnings, points to a pathway for upward mobility.
Tuition at the University of San Francisco has a net price of $41,431, which is a notable consideration for prospective students. Graduates carry a median debt of $23,000, which is relatively manageable compared to national averages. Students who thrive here often pursue programs in Business, Health Professions, and Social Sciences, aligning their education with market demand and job opportunities.
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
Wellesley College is featured on the Best Liberal Arts Colleges ranking.
Top Degree Programs
San Francisco's top program is Business Administration (18% 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 San Francisco) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Wellesley).
The two schools feed different job markets. University of San Francisco is strongest in Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Psychology, while Wellesley College concentrates in Computer Science & IT, Biology & Biomedical, 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 San Francisco or Wellesley College?
Wellesley College is harder to get into, admitting 14% of applicants compared with 62% at University of San Francisco.
Which is more affordable, University of San Francisco or Wellesley College?
Wellesley College is more affordable, with an average net price of $25,496 after aid versus $41,431 at University of San Francisco.
Do University of San Francisco or Wellesley College graduates earn more?
University of San Francisco graduates earn more: median earnings of $89,812 ten years after enrollment, versus $84,803 at Wellesley College.
Which has a better graduation rate, University of San Francisco or Wellesley College?
Wellesley College has the higher graduation rate, 91% versus 71%.
University of San Francisco vs Wellesley College: which is better for social mobility?
University of San Francisco is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 2.7% versus 2.4%.
Should you choose University of San Francisco or Wellesley College?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Wellesley College if affordability and lower debt come first; choose University of San Francisco 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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