Wellesley College

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at Wellesley College was $64,000 a year.

In 2023, tuition increased 3.92%–from $61,584 the prior year. Usually, college tuition goes up about 3% every year.

If this information makes going to college sound impossible, remember, the total cost of tuition isn't the final cost for attending college. Many students find the actual cost of college is far less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are awarded. And, student loans can make theprice of collegefeel more doable until you've finishing school and found a job.

Wellesley College meets 100% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student at Wellesley College is around $63,771 a year.

Students in the class of 2023 who had taken out student loans graduated with an average of $18,512 of debt.

Wellesley College: In-state vs. Out-of-State Tuition

Wellesley College is a private, nonprofit institution, so it has the same tuition for students from Massachusetts as it does for students who live in other states.

Public schools receive funds from the state to help them cover costs. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state residency can cut the cost of college tuition. Don't forget to verify your state's criteria for in-state residency. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. Most states require students to have resided in the state for a certain period of time before qualifying. There may be other criteria too, depending on where you live.

Explore other Massachusetts colleges

Tuition for International Students at Wellesley College

Wellesley College has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

International students usually do not qualify for for loans or grants from the U.S. government, but may qualify for private or Wellesley College-specific aid and scholarships. International students who demonstrate financial need may be eligible for the following types of financial support at Wellesley College:

•On-campus jobs •Wellesley College-specific loans •Wellesley College-specific scholarships

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Wellesley College Living Expenses, Fees, and More

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In addition to the cost of tuition, room and board, books, transportation and fees are also costs it consider when estimating the cost of attendance for college. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Wellesley College.

House and Food Costs at Wellesley College

Room and board at Wellesley College costs $19,920 a year. This number includes the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, plus a meal plan that allows you to eat in the Wellesley College's on-campus cafeterias and dining facilities.

Board costs vary based on on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

How Much Do Books Cost at Wellesley College?

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. The real cost of books depends on the courses you take and the textbooks, computer programs, or other materials are required.. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Yearly Fees

The majority of colleges charge some yearly fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

Keep in mind, there could also be optional fees associated with participating in certain activities, like Greek Life, or playing on an intramural sports team. Most colleges have ways for students with demonstrated need to find ways to lower or eliminate these fees.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Transportation costs at Wellesley College

The total cost of getting around in college can really vary. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus walkable? Do you own a car, or will you need to use busses, subways, or other modes of transportation? All of these factors can drastically impact your transportation budget. At Wellesley College, freshman are not allowed to park on campus.

The location of a college or university can impact the amount you'll have to spend just to get around. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, transportation in a city might be costly, but there may be more trains, busses and affordable flights to actually get to school. The Wellesley College campus is located in a suburb in Massachusetts, not far from Boston.

Other Costs

When budgeting for college, be sure to leave some room in your budget for the cost of things like entertainment, clothes, furnishings and toiletries.

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The Full Cost of Attending Wellesley College

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Now, let’s go over all of the costs we've covered, to get a better idea of what is really costs to go to Wellesley College.

Total Cost of Wellesley College

What will the cost of attending Wellesley College be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
Tuition	$64,000
Room and Board	$19,920
Other expenses	$1,250

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Total Estimated Costs
On-Campus	$85,490
Off-Campus	$66,570

The breakdowns above provide a good estimate of the total cost of attendance before financial aid and scholarships. Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

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Financial Aid at Wellesley College

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The majority of Wellesley College undergrads use financial aid to help pay for school. In 2023, 1,288 of the 2,447 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Wellesley College meets 100% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $63,771 a year. Around 41% of Wellesley College undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Wellesley College graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $18,512 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$10,630
State Loans	$17,131
Wellesley College-Specific Loans	$7,608
Private Loans	$40,910

Most Common Loans for Wellesley College Students
Federal Loans	37%
State loans	1%
Institutional Loans	24%
Private loans	4%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Wellesley College financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Wellesley College

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, Wellesley College awarded 1,263 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $78.6 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $1.33 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Net Cost of Wellesley College

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Wellesley College students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Wellesley College was $63,771 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Wellesley College seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
On-Campus	$21,719
Off-Campus	$2,799

What will attending Wellesley College really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families make more informed decisions about the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Wellesley College's net cost calculator on their website.

Wellesley College Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Wellesley College does not have guaranteed tuition.

Wellesley College offers an Installment Payment Plan, which allows students to pay tuition in a series of smaller chunks instead of one lump sum.

Wellesley College Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to make attending more affordable. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, students are usually responsible for housing, meal plans, and other expenses.

Wellesley College has some full or partial tuition waivers available for: - Employees or Children of Employees

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

Wellesley College's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

For more information about Wellesley College's endowment, check with the school directly.

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Learn More About Wellesley College

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