Boston University vs Wellesley College: which has better ROI?
Wellesley College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $101,984 in 2.8 years versus 2.8 years at Boston University, on median earnings of $84,803 vs $83,238 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Boston University | Wellesley College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $24,402 | $25,496 |
| Total net cost | $97,608 | $101,984 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $83,238 | $84,803 |
| Median debt | $23,250 | $10,000 |
| Payback | 2.8 yrs | 2.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $599,952 | $626,876 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Boston University or Wellesley College?
Boston University, at $24,402 a year after aid versus $25,496 — a gap of $1,094 a year, or $4,376 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Boston University or Wellesley College graduates earn more?
Wellesley College graduates report a median $84,803 ten years after entry, $1,565 more than the $83,238 at Boston University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Boston University or Wellesley College?
Wellesley College: its completers carry a median $10,000 in federal loans versus $23,250 at Boston University, a difference of $13,250. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
92% of students finish at Wellesley College, against 89% at Boston University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.