Head-to-Head Comparison
Wesleyan University vs Haverford College
- Wesleyan Wins
- 19
- Tied
- 13
- Haverford Wins
- 18
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Haverford College offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Wesleyan University achieves a higher graduation rate (92% vs 90%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $30,177 compared to Haverford College's $25,314 for in-state paths. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Haverford College's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
50 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Wesleyan
- Higher grad rate: 92% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
Haverford
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $79,966 ten years after enrollment, 8% more than Wesleyan University
- Lower cost: Average net price of $25,314, roughly $4,863 a year less
- Less debt: Median debt of $13,621, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 12% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Wesleyan graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (26% of degrees); Haverford in Social Sciences (28%). 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 Haverford College over Wesleyan University. Median earnings of $79,966 ten years after enrollment vs $73,897.
Pick Haverford College over Wesleyan University. Net price $25,314 vs $30,177.
Pick Wesleyan University over Haverford College. 2% mobility rate vs 1.8%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Wesleyan University and Haverford College are close on paper, but Haverford 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
Haverford College is the harder admit. It takes 12% of applicants, while Wesleyan University takes 16%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,501 to 1,513.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Haverford 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, Haverford College comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $25,314, about $4,863 a year below Wesleyan University's $30,177. Graduates of Haverford College also borrow less: median debt of $13,621, against $17,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $19,452 before any change in aid. Choosing Haverford College leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Haverford College graduates report median earnings of $79,966, compared with $73,897 at Wesleyan University. That is a 8% advantage. Set against borrowing, Haverford College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.17x to 0.23x.
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.
Moving people up
Wesleyan University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2%; at Haverford College, it is 1.8%. Haverford College also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 4.6% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 4.2%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Wesleyan University 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 Haverford College to keep costs and debt down; pick Wesleyan University 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
Haverford College is harder to get into, with a 12% admit rate, but Wesleyan University posts the higher mobility rate, at 2%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Their academic identities diverge. Wesleyan University concentrates enrollment in Psychology, Visual & Performing Arts, while Haverford College leans toward Physical Sciences, 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 $30,177 runs well above Haverford College's $25,314.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $17,000, against $13,621 at Haverford College.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Wesleyan University's enrollment of 3,067 far exceeds Haverford College's 1,430.
No strong negative signals — Haverford competes well across the dimensions measured.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Haverford holds onto its admits more tightly: 44% of admitted students enroll, versus 35% at Wesleyan — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Both reward applying early, but the binding round pays off more at Wesleyan (38.3% Early Decision admit rate vs 32.6%). 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
Wesleyan University
Middletown, CT · Private nonprofit
Wesleyan University has a graduation rate of 92%, highlighting its commitment to student success. This high rate indicates that most students who enroll complete their degrees, which is a key factor for those evaluating college options.
Earnings data shows that graduates earn an average of $73,897 ten years after starting their studies. This figure suggests that a Wesleyan degree can lead to solid financial outcomes, though specific mobility data is not available. The school serves a diverse group of students, reflected in its Pell Grant rate of 14%, which indicates a commitment to supporting low-income students.
The net price to attend Wesleyan is $30,177, with a median debt of $17,000 for graduates. This financial landscape suggests that while the cost is significant, many students manage to graduate with relatively low debt. Students who thrive here are likely those interested in disciplines such as social sciences, psychology, and the arts, where they can engage deeply in their studies and benefit from the university's supportive environment.
Haverford College
Haverford, PA · Private nonprofit
Haverford College is a tight-knit community that attracts students who are serious about their education and want to engage deeply with their studies. With an acceptance rate of just 12%, this college is selective, making it a fit for those who are academically motivated and ready to dive into programs like Social Sciences, Physical Sciences, Biology, Psychology, and Computer Science. The graduation rate is impressive at 90%, which indicates that students here not only enroll but also succeed in completing their degrees.
Looking ahead, graduates from Haverford can expect solid earning potential, with a median income of around $79,966 ten years after graduation. This is significant when considering the college experience as an investment in the future. Affordability plays a crucial role too, especially since the net price after aid is $25,314, and the median debt for graduates stands at $13,621. This combination suggests that students can manage their financial commitments without being overwhelmingly burdened post-graduation.
When it comes to thriving at Haverford, students who are self-motivated and eager to engage in a collaborative learning environment often find their place. The relatively low Pell Grant rate of 15% suggests that while there is diversity in financial backgrounds, a significant portion of students come from families that can afford to contribute to their education. Those who embrace the academic rigor and community spirit here are likely to find not just success in their studies, but also a supportive network that lasts beyond their time at Haverford.
Rankings They Appear On
Wesleyan University is featured on the Best Online Colleges in Connecticut ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Sociology as their top enrolled program field, comprising 26% of Wesleyan's student body and 28% of Haverford's.
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Environmental Scientist, Research Scientist, Chemist (for Wesleyan) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Haverford).
The two schools feed different job markets. Wesleyan University is strongest in Psychology, Visual & Performing Arts, while Haverford College concentrates in Physical Sciences, Computer Science & IT. 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 Wesleyan University or Haverford College?
Haverford College is harder to get into, admitting 12% of applicants compared with 16% at Wesleyan University.
Which is more affordable, Wesleyan University or Haverford College?
Haverford College is more affordable, with an average net price of $25,314 after aid versus $30,177 at Wesleyan University.
Do Wesleyan University or Haverford College graduates earn more?
Haverford College graduates earn more: median earnings of $79,966 ten years after enrollment, versus $73,897 at Wesleyan University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Wesleyan University or Haverford College?
Wesleyan University has the higher graduation rate, 92% versus 90%.
Wesleyan University vs Haverford College: which is better for social mobility?
Wesleyan University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 2% versus 1.8%.
Should you choose Wesleyan University or Haverford College?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Haverford College if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Wesleyan University 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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