Wellesley College — ROI, Cost & Payback
Wellesley College charges a net price of $25,496/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $101,984. Graduates earn a median $84,803 ten years after entry, $36,443/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 2.8 years — a 20-year net return of $626,876, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Wellesley College's 2.8-year payback ranks #158 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 88% of them, and #12 of 85 in Massachusetts.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $25,496/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $101,984 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $84,803 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $36,443/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $10,000 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 2.8 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $626,876 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Wellesley College's own numbers. Net price $25,496 × 4 years = $101,984 total. Median earnings $84,803 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $36,443 a year of premium. $101,984 ÷ $36,443 = 2.8 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $626,876. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Wellesley College students graduate with?
A median $10,000 in federal loans among completers, or 12% of the $84,803 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Wellesley College students graduate?
92% finish their degree. Spread the $101,984 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $110,852 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Wellesley College expensive compared with other Massachusetts colleges?
Its $25,496 net price runs $613 above the $24,883 median across the 85 Massachusetts colleges we profile, or $2,452 more across the full degree.