In this comparison, we will examine two prestigious liberal arts colleges for women in the United States: Wellesley College and Bryn Mawr College. We will assess various aspects of each school, including costs, admissions, academics, diversity, campus life, and student outcomes. This comprehensive analysis will provide prospective students with valuable information for choosing the best college to suit their needs and goals.
Wellesley College Overview
Wellesley College is a private women’s liberal arts college located in Wellesley, Massachusetts, just outside of Boston. Founded in 1870, it is consistently ranked among the top liberal arts colleges in the country. The college offers a rigorous academic experience, a stunning campus, and a vibrant community of intellectually curious and socially engaged students and faculty.
Wellesley College Costs & Tuition
The total cost of attendance at Wellesley College for the 2021-2022 academic year is $77,670, including tuition, fees, room, and board. However, Wellesley is committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need for its students, and approximately 60% of students receive financial aid. The average financial aid package is $53,000, and Wellesley offers both need-based and merit-based scholarships.
Wellesley College Admissions
Wellesley College is highly selective with an acceptance rate of 19%. Prospective students must submit an application, high school transcript, teacher recommendations, a personal essay, and standardized test scores (although testing is optional for the 2021-2022 application cycle due to COVID-19). Wellesley also offers interviews as part of the admissions process. The middle 50% SAT range for admitted students is 1370-1520 and the ACT range is 31-34.
Wellesley College Degrees Offered
Wellesley College offers over 50 majors and minors in a wide range of disciplines, including the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and interdisciplinary programs. The most popular majors include Economics, Political Science, Biology, Psychology, and English. Students can also take advantage of Wellesley’s cross-registration opportunities with other nearby institutions such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Wellesley College Academics
Wellesley College has a reputation for its rigorous academics and a commitment to supporting students. The college has a student-faculty ratio of 8:1, which allows for small class sizes and individualized attention. The faculty includes numerous award-winning scholars, and students have opportunities to engage in research, internships, and study abroad programs.
Wellesley College Diversity
Wellesley College is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive community. Approximately 50% of the student body identifies as students of color, and almost 10% are international students. Furthermore, 18% of students are first-generation college students. Wellesley offers numerous resources and support services to promote diversity and inclusion on campus, such as the Office of Intercultural Education and various affinity groups.
Wellesley College Students
Wellesley College has a total undergraduate enrollment of about 2,400 students. Students are known for their intellectual curiosity, social engagement, and dedication to making a difference in the world. Many notable alumnae have graduated from Wellesley, including former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, journalist Diane Sawyer, and former first lady and presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Wellesley College Campus
The Wellesley College campus spans 500 acres and is known for its picturesque landscape, including a private lake, wooded trails, and stunning architecture. The campus features state-of-the-art facilities, such as the Science Center, Clapp Library, and the Lulu Chow Wang Campus Center. Students can also participate in over 150 clubs and organizations, ranging from performing arts groups to community service initiatives.
Wellesley College Alumni
Wellesley College boasts a strong alumni network of more than 35,000 women, many of whom have gone on to successful careers in various fields. Notable alumnae include former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, journalist Diane Sawyer, and former First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton. The Wellesley College Alumnae Association fosters connections between graduates through events, networking opportunities, and mentorship programs.
Wellesley College Rankings
Wellesley College is consistently ranked among the top liberal arts colleges in the United States. In the 2021 U.S. News & World Report rankings, Wellesley is ranked #4 among National Liberal Arts Colleges and #3 for Best Undergraduate Teaching. Additionally, Wellesley is ranked #10 for Best Value Schools and #23 for Most Innovative Schools.
Wellesley College Outcomes
Wellesley College has a strong record of preparing students for success in their chosen fields. The college reports a six-year graduation rate of 92%, and within six months of graduation, 79% of graduates are employed or attending graduate school. Additionally, Wellesley has a long history of producing Fulbright Scholars, Rhodes Scholars, and other prestigious fellowship recipients.
Bryn Mawr College Overview
Bryn Mawr College is a private women’s liberal arts college located in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, just outside of Philadelphia. Founded in 1885, Bryn Mawr is known for its strong commitment to intellectual inquiry, social responsibility, and the empowerment of women. The college offers a close-knit community, a beautiful campus, and a wide array of academic and extracurricular opportunities for students.
Bryn Mawr College Costs & Tuition
The total cost of attendance at Bryn Mawr College for the 2021-2022 academic year is $73,440, including tuition, fees, room, and board. Like Wellesley, Bryn Mawr is committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need for its students, and approximately 60% of students receive financial aid. The average financial aid package is $42,000, and the college offers both need-based and merit-based scholarships.
Bryn Mawr College Admissions
Bryn Mawr College is selective, with an acceptance rate of 33%. Prospective students must submit an application, high school transcript, teacher recommendations, a personal essay, and standardized test scores (although testing is optional for the 2021-2022 application cycle due to COVID-19). The middle 50% SAT range for admitted students is 1310-1500, and the ACT range is 30-34.
Bryn Mawr College Degrees Offered
Bryn Mawr College offers over 40 majors and minors in a variety of disciplines, including the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and interdisciplinary programs. The most popular majors include Biology, Psychology, Political Science, English, and Mathematics. Bryn Mawr is also part of the Tri-College Consortium, which allows students to take courses at nearby Haverford College and Swarthmore College.
Bryn Mawr College Academics
Bryn Mawr College is known for its challenging academics and supportive learning environment. The college has a student-faculty ratio of 9:1, which allows for small class sizes and personalized attention. The faculty includes distinguished scholars and researchers, and students have opportunities to engage in research, internships, and study abroad programs.
Bryn Mawr College Diversity
Bryn Mawr College is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion on campus. Approximately 45% of the student body identifies as students of color, and around 20% are international students. Additionally, 17% of students are first-generation college students. Bryn Mawr offers numerous resources and support services to promote diversity and inclusion, such as the Pensby Center for Community Development and Inclusion and various affinity groups.
Bryn Mawr College Students
Bryn Mawr College has a total undergraduate enrollment of approximately 1,350 students. Students are known for their intellectual curiosity, social engagement, and commitment to making a difference in the world. Famous alumnae of Bryn Mawr include actress Katharine Hepburn, writer Marianne Moore, and chemist and Nobel laureate Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard.
Bryn Mawr College Campus
The Bryn Mawr College campus covers 135 acres and is known for its Gothic architecture and beautiful grounds. The campus features state-of-the-art facilities, such as the Park Science Center, Canaday Library, and the Campus Center. Students can participate in over 100 clubs and organizations, ranging from performing arts groups to community service initiatives.
Bryn Mawr College Alumni
Bryn Mawr College has a strong alumni network of more than 21,000 women who have gone on to successful careers in various fields. Notable alumnae include actress Katharine Hepburn, poet Marianne Moore, and Nobel Prize-winning chemist Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard. The Bryn Mawr College Alumnae Association supports connections between graduates through events, networking opportunities, and mentorship programs.
Bryn Mawr College Rankings
Bryn Mawr College is consistently ranked among the top liberal arts colleges in the United States. In the 2021 U.S. News & World Report rankings, Bryn Mawr is ranked #27 among National Liberal Arts Colleges and #18 for Best Undergraduate Teaching. The college is also ranked #20 for Best Value Schools and #23 for Most Innovative Schools.
Bryn Mawr College Outcomes
Bryn Mawr College has a strong record of preparing students for success in their chosen fields. The college reports a six-year graduation rate of 85%, and within six months of graduation, 77% of graduates are employed or attending graduate school. Bryn Mawr has a history of producing Fulbright Scholars, Rhodes Scholars, and other prestigious fellowship recipients.
Wellesley College vs Bryn Mawr College Cost Comparison
Both Wellesley College and Bryn Mawr College are private liberal arts colleges with similar costs of attendance. For the 2021-2022 academic year, the total cost at Wellesley is $77,670, while the total cost at Bryn Mawr is $73,440. Both colleges are committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need, and approximately 60% of students at each school receive financial aid. The average financial aid package at Wellesley is $53,000, while the average package at Bryn Mawr is $42,000. In terms of cost, both schools are competitive, with Wellesley being slightly more expensive.
Wellesley College vs Bryn Mawr College Admissions Difficulty
Wellesley College and Bryn Mawr College are both selective institutions, with Wellesley being more competitive in terms of admission. Wellesley has an acceptance rate of 19%, while Bryn Mawr has an acceptance rate of 33%. The middle 50% SAT range for admitted students at Wellesley is 1370-1520 and the ACT range is 31-34, while the middle 50% SAT range for admitted students at Bryn Mawr is 1310-1500 and the ACT range is 30-34. In terms of admissions difficulty, Wellesley is considered more selective than Bryn Mawr.
Wellesley College vs Bryn Mawr College Academic Difficulty
Both Wellesley College and Bryn Mawr College are known for their rigorous academics and supportive learning environments. The student-faculty ratios at both schools are similar, with Wellesley having a ratio of 8:1 and Bryn Mawr having a ratio of 9:1. This allows for small class sizes and personalized attention at both institutions. The faculty at both colleges includes distinguished scholars and researchers, and students have opportunities to engage in research, internships, and study abroad programs. In terms of academic difficulty, both colleges are highly regarded and provide challenging academic experiences.
Wellesley College vs Bryn Mawr College Outcome Comparison
Wellesley College and Bryn Mawr College both have strong records of preparing students for success in their chosen fields. The six-year graduation rates at both schools are high, with Wellesley reporting a rate of 92% and Bryn Mawr reporting a rate of 85%. Within six months of graduation, 79% of Wellesley graduates are employed or attending graduate school, while 77% of Bryn Mawr graduates are in similar situations. Both colleges have histories of producing Fulbright Scholars, Rhodes Scholars, and other prestigious fellowship recipients. In terms of outcomes, both Wellesley and Bryn Mawr provide excellent opportunities for students to achieve success in their careers and further education.
