When deciding on which college to attend, it is important to compare and contrast various aspects of each institution. In this article, we will be examining two prestigious liberal arts colleges: Wellesley College and Scripps College. By evaluating their costs, admissions, academics, diversity, and outcomes, we hope to provide a comprehensive comparison that will aid students in making an informed decision.
Wellesley College Overview
Wellesley College, founded in 1870, is a private women’s liberal arts college located in Wellesley, Massachusetts. It has a strong emphasis on empowering women and is known for its rigorous academic programs and beautiful campus. Wellesley is also a member of the esteemed Seven Sisters colleges, which are some of the most prestigious women’s colleges in the United States.
Wellesley College Costs & Tuition
The total cost of attendance for the 2020-2021 academic year at Wellesley College was around $74,560, which includes tuition, room, board, and other fees. Approximately 60% of students receive financial aid, with the average aid package being $47,527. The college meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students.
Wellesley College Admissions
Wellesley College has a competitive admissions process, with an acceptance rate of about 20% in 2020. The college is test-optional for the SAT and ACT and requires a strong academic background, leadership potential, and a commitment to community involvement. Students are encouraged to take rigorous courses in high school and maintain a high GPA.
Wellesley College Degrees Offered
Wellesley offers over 50 majors and minors across various fields such as humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. The most popular majors include economics, political science, biology, psychology, and English. Students can also take advantage of cross-registration opportunities with other prestigious institutions such as MIT, Babson College, and Olin College of Engineering.
Wellesley College Academics
With a student-faculty ratio of 8:1 and an average class size of 17, Wellesley College is dedicated to providing a personalized and supportive academic experience. Students have access to numerous research opportunities, internships, and study abroad programs. The college also has a distinctive writing program, known as the Wellesley Writing Program, which aims to develop students’ writing skills throughout their college career.
Wellesley College Diversity
Wellesley College is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment. About 31% of the student body are students of color, and approximately 11% are international students. The college offers various resources and support services to promote diversity and inclusion, such as the Office of Intercultural Education, the Multifaith Center, and the Slater International Center.
Wellesley College Students
Wellesley College has a total undergraduate enrollment of around 2,350 students. The college emphasizes community engagement and offers over 180 student-run organizations, including cultural, political, and social groups. Students are also encouraged to participate in various events and traditions, such as the annual Flower Sunday and the Hooprolling race.
Wellesley College Campus
The Wellesley College campus is situated on 500 acres of picturesque landscapes, including a private lake and an extensive network of walking trails. The campus is home to numerous state-of-the-art facilities, such as the Jewett Arts Center and the Clapp Library. Additionally, Wellesley is located just 12 miles from Boston, allowing students to take advantage of various cultural and professional opportunities.
Wellesley College Alumni
Wellesley has a strong network of over 35,000 alumnae, including notable figures such as former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, author Nora Ephron, and journalist Diane Sawyer. The college offers various resources and connections to help students and alumnae succeed in their careers and build lasting relationships.
Wellesley College Rankings
Wellesley College consistently ranks highly among national liberal arts colleges. In the 2021 U.S. News & World Report rankings, Wellesley was ranked #4 among liberal arts colleges, and its commitment to undergraduate teaching earned it the #5 spot in that category.
Wellesley College Outcomes
The outcomes for Wellesley College graduates are strong, with a graduation rate of 91% and an average starting salary of around $50,000. Approximately 90% of students find employment, attend graduate school, or engage in other meaningful activities within six months of graduation. The college also has a strong commitment to supporting students’ post-graduate success, with programs such as the Career Education Center and the Wellesley Alumnae Network.
Scripps College Overview
Founded in 1926, Scripps College is a private women’s liberal arts college located in Claremont, California. As a member of the Claremont Colleges consortium, Scripps students can take advantage of resources and courses offered by the other four undergraduate colleges in the group. The college is known for its strong academics, beautiful campus, and commitment to women’s education.
Scripps College Costs & Tuition
The total cost of attendance for the 2020-2021 academic year at Scripps College was approximately $76,700, which includes tuition, room, board, and other fees. About 55% of students receive financial aid, with the average aid package being $40,955. The college meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students.
Scripps College Admissions
Scripps College has a competitive admissions process, with an acceptance rate of around 24% in 2020. Like Wellesley, Scripps is also test-optional for the SAT and ACT. The college seeks applicants with a strong academic background, demonstrated leadership, and a commitment to community involvement.
Scripps College Degrees Offered
Scripps offers over 50 majors and minors across various fields, including humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and interdisciplinary studies. Some of the most popular majors at the college include psychology, economics, media studies, and biology. Additionally, through the Claremont Colleges consortium, students can choose from over 2,000 courses and interdisciplinary programs.
Scripps College Academics
Scripps College prides itself on its small class sizes, with a student-faculty ratio of 10:1 and an average class size of 16. Students have access to a wide range of academic resources and opportunities, including research, internships, and study abroad programs. The college also emphasizes its Core Curriculum in Interdisciplinary Humanities, which encourages critical thinking, effective communication, and creative problem-solving.
Scripps College Diversity
Scripps College is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion, with approximately 40% of its student body being students of color and around 6% being international students. The college offers a variety of resources and support services, such as the Office of Institutional Diversity, the Multicultural Resource Center, and the International Place of the Claremont Colleges.
Scripps College Students
Scripps College has a total undergraduate enrollment of around 1,100 students. The college fosters a strong sense of community and offers over 100 student-run organizations, including cultural, political, and social groups. Students can also join clubs and organizations at the other Claremont Colleges, further expanding their options for involvement.
Scripps College Campus
The Scripps College campus is known for its stunning Mediterranean-style architecture and lush gardens. The campus features state-of-the-art facilities, such as the Williamson Gallery, the Sallie Tiernan Field House, and the Honnold-Mudd Library, which is shared by all the Claremont Colleges. The college’s location near Los Angeles also provides students with access to a variety of cultural and professional opportunities.
Scripps College Alumni
Scripps College has a strong network of over 10,000 alumnae, who have gone on to achieve success in various fields, such as media, science, business, and law. Notable alumnae include artist Alison Saar, journalist Molly Ball, and former U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords. The college offers various resources and connections to help students and alumnae succeed in their careers and build lasting relationships.
Scripps College Rankings
Scripps College is consistently ranked highly among national liberal arts colleges. In the 2021 U.S. News & World Report rankings, Scripps was ranked #28 among liberal arts colleges, and #35 for best undergraduate teaching.
Scripps College Outcomes
Scripps College graduates experience strong outcomes, with a graduation rate of 88% and an average starting salary of around $48,000. Within six months of graduation, approximately 93% of students find employment, attend graduate school, or engage in other meaningful activities. The college also offers support for post-graduate success, with programs such as the Career Planning & Resources office and the Scripps College Alumnae Association.
Wellesley College vs Scripps College Cost Comparison
Both Wellesley College and Scripps College have relatively high costs of attendance, with Wellesley’s total cost being around $74,560 and Scripps’ total cost being approximately $76,700 for the 2020-2021 academic year. However, both colleges are committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need for admitted students. Wellesley College has a higher percentage of students receiving financial aid (60% vs. 55% at Scripps) and offers a larger average aid package ($47,527 vs. $40,955 at Scripps).
Wellesley College vs Scripps College Admissions Difficulty
Both colleges have competitive admissions processes, with Wellesley College having an acceptance rate of 20% and Scripps College having an acceptance rate of 24% in 2020. Both colleges are test-optional for the SAT and ACT and require applicants to have a strong academic background, demonstrated leadership, and community involvement. While both institutions are selective, Wellesley College has a slightly lower acceptance rate, making it somewhat more difficult to gain admission.
Wellesley College vs Scripps College Academic Difficulty
Both Wellesley College and Scripps College are known for their rigorous academics and commitment to providing a challenging and supportive educational experience. Both institutions have small class sizes, low student-faculty ratios, and offer a wide range of majors, research opportunities, and internships. The choice between the two colleges in terms of academic difficulty may come down to individual preferences, as both institutions are highly respected for their academic programs.
Wellesley College vs Scripps College Outcome Comparison
In terms of outcomes, both Wellesley College and Scripps College graduates experience success in their post-graduate endeavors. Wellesley College has a slightly higher graduation rate of 91% compared to 88% at Scripps College, and a slightly higher average starting salary of around $50,000 compared to around $48,000 at Scripps. Within six months of graduation, a similar percentage of students from both colleges find employment, attend graduate school, or engage in other meaningful activities (90% at Wellesley and 93% at Scripps). Both institutions offer various resources and networks to support students’ post-graduate success.
