College comparison
A side-by-side of acceptance rate, test scores, and cost — source-cited estimates, not guarantees. Want the number that actually matters for your student? Model your admit odds at each.
| Metric | Emory University-Oxford College Oxford, GA | Wellesley Wellesley, MA |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rateEmory University-Oxford College is more selective | 13% | 14% |
| SAT (25–75) | 1470–1550 | 1460–1560 |
| ACT (25–75) | — | — |
| Undergrad enrollment | 967 | 2,300 |
| Avg net price | $37,920 | $25,496 |
| Median earnings (10 yr)Wellesley reports higher median earnings | $80,137 | $84,803 |
| Graduation rate | — | 92% |
| Median debt | $18,250 | $10,000 |
| Economic mobility | — | 2.4% |
| Test policy | — | — |
| Type | Private (nonprofit) | Private (nonprofit) |
Two highly selective suburban liberal arts experiences, one a two-year gateway to a major research university and the other a historic, independent women's college.
By the numbers Wellesley demonstrates stronger financial and post-graduate metrics. Its value (3.3x earnings per dollar of net price) significantly outpaces Oxford’s (2.1x), driven by a lower average net price ($25k vs. $38k) and higher 10-year median earnings ($85k vs. $80k). Wellesley also shows exceptional economic mobility (241%) and a robust future-scholar yield (7.8% pursuing S&E PhDs). On institutional stability, Wellesley has a perfect DOE financial-health score (3.0/3) and lower admit-rate volatility (57% vs. 70%). Selectivity is virtually identical (14% vs. 13% acceptance), with similar SAT ranges (1460-1560 vs. 1470-1550). Wellesley’s graduation rate is 92%.
Where they overlap Both offer a deliberately small-scale, suburban liberal arts foundation with a focus on close faculty interaction. They attract academically intense, driven students. The environments are not known for large, dominant party scenes, with social life often revolving around campus organizations and academics.
How they differ The core structural difference defines the experience: Oxford is a two-year, close-knit residential program where all students transition to Emory’s Atlanta campus to complete their degree, accessing a major research university’s resources. Wellesley is a traditional four-year, independent women’s college with its own established identity, alumnae network, and cross-registration with MIT and other Boston-area schools. Culturally, Oxford students are noted for forming a distinct, leadership-oriented cohort before integrating into a larger university, while Wellesley fosters a singular, empowering community for its entire undergraduate tenure.
Who each suits suits the student who desires a gentle, supported launch into a large research university, values the structured two-year cohort experience, and may have strong interests in the sciences or pre-professional tracks within Emory. is for the student seeking the transformative, four-year immersion of a top-tier women’s college, with outstanding outcomes in liberal arts and sciences, a powerful network, and a proven pathway to graduate study and leadership.
Figures are estimates compiled from public datasets (College Scorecard / IPEDS) and primary sources; verify with each institution before relying on them.
These outputs are estimates from a baseline model — not guarantees of admission, cost, or outcome.
| Location | Oxford, GA | Wellesley, MA |
|---|
Editorial overview — a qualitative summary of culture and fit, reviewed for accuracy. Not a ranking or a guarantee.