Admit rate has ranged 71%–82% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Wheaton College (Massachusetts) is a small liberal arts college with a surprisingly accessible admissions process (68% acceptance rate) and a knack for turning out well-rounded graduates. Known for its 100+ interdisciplinary programs, strong study abroad offerings, and a tight-knit campus where 73% of students receive financial aid, Wheaton punches above its weight in fostering intellectual curiosity and leadership.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Letters of recommendation
College-prep program
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Grade point average
Class rank
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Demonstrated competencies
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
1,773
In-state tuition
$63,960
Out-of-state tuition
$63,960
Acceptance Rate
68%
Graduation Rate
73%
Most Popular Majors
Business, Psychology, Biology
Early Acceptance Rate
83.6%
Student-Faculty Ratio
10:1
Avg. Financial Aid Award
$45,947
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$67,725
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.3×
Median debt at graduation
$26,000
Graduation rate
73%
First-year retention
82%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
80%
Pell (lower-income) share
34%
First-generation share
15%
Endowment / student
$153,862
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Computer Science$71,957
Economics$42,682
International Relations and National Security Studies$38,289
Business Administration, Management and Operations$38,289
History$36,134
English Language and Literature, General$33,459
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
3
Per 1,000 students
1.69
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
89
Summer high
81°F
Winter low
26°F
Annual rain
53.9"
Annual snow
27.4"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
79
Scholarly works
1,554
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Wheaton College (Massachusetts)?
Wheaton College (Massachusetts)'s acceptance rate is approximately 68% (Norton, MA), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Wheaton College (Massachusetts)?
Admitted students at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) typically score 1220–1390 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Wheaton College (Massachusetts) cost?
At Wheaton College (Massachusetts), the average net price (after aid) is about $29,822 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Wheaton College (Massachusetts)?
Wheaton College (Massachusetts) enrolls approximately 1,773 undergraduate students.
Where is Wheaton College (Massachusetts) located?
Wheaton College (Massachusetts) is located in Norton, MA.
Admissions
Wheaton College is decidedly less selective than many of its New England liberal arts peers, with an Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. hovering around 68% (based on 5,835 applications for the Class of 2029). The middle 50% SAT range for admitted students is 1250–1420, with a mean high school GPA of 3.72. Women enjoy a higher acceptance rate (72%) compared to men (61%). Early applicants have a significant advantage, with an 83.6% acceptance rate—suggesting that demonstrated interest matters here.
Test-Optional: Wheaton has embraced Test-optionalA policy where you choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. If you don't, the rest of your application carries more weight. policies, though submitted scores can strengthen an application.
Demographics: The student body skews heavily toward in-state and regional students, with a growing emphasis on diversity initiatives.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies$32,925
Political Science and Government$32,925
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Academics
Wheaton offers over 100 interdisciplinary programs, with recent additions like nursing, finance, marketing, and criminal justice reflecting a pragmatic shift toward career-ready degrees. The most popular majors are Business (53 graduates), Psychology (47), and Biology (38), though the college emphasizes flexibility—students can design their own majors or combine disciplines like Neuroscience and Film Studies.
Hands-On Learning: Internships, collaborative research, and independent study are baked into the curriculum.
Global Focus: The college has a strong reputation for study abroad programs, with many students earning prestigious awards like Rhodes Scholarships.
Faculty Access: With a 10:1 student-faculty ratio, Wheaton fosters close mentorship, particularly in the sciences and humanities.
Life at Wheaton is intimate and engagement-heavy, with students describing it as easy to "find your people" through clubs, leadership roles, and campus events. The college actively promotes wellness (physical, emotional, and relational) alongside academics.
Diversity Initiatives: Heritage month programs and social justice workshops aim to create an inclusive environment.
Campus Vibe: The suburban Norton location (30 miles from Boston) means students often bond over on-campus activities, from film screenings to guest lectures.
No Greek Life: Instead, social life revolves around 100+ student organizations, including a thriving arts scene.
Wheaton’s six-year graduation rate is 73%, slightly below the national average for private colleges, but it rebounds with strong post-grad outcomes. Alumni report average early-career earnings of $34,709, with many entering fields like business, education, and public service.
Career Support: The college emphasizes internship pipelines to Boston and Providence.
Graduate School: A notable number of students pursue advanced degrees, often in law or healthcare.
Wheaton’s sticker price is steep, but 73% of first-years receive need-based aid, with an average award of $45,947. The Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. for many students drops to $31,908 after scholarships and grants.
Merit Aid: The college offers non-need-based scholarships, though these are less common than need-based packages.
Calculator: Prospective students can use Wheaton’s Net Price Calculator to estimate costs.
Wheaton’s balance of accessibility and rigor makes it a hidden gem. Unlike hyper-competitive NESCAC schools, it welcomes B+ students who thrive in a supportive, low-pressure environment. Its interdisciplinary ethos—mixing business with humanities, or science with media—prepares graduates for hybrid careers. Plus, the 83.6% early acceptance rate is a tactical advantage for applicants who show genuine interest.
Wheaton College (Massachusetts) logo · sourceWheaton College (MA) - Liberal Arts and Sciences College · sourceAbout Wheaton - Wheaton College Massachusetts · sourceGetting to Know Wheaton College (MA) - Educated Quest · source
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