Head-to-head comparison
Vassar College vs. Wesleyan University
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Vassar or Wesleyan harder to get into?
Wesleyan is harder to get into than Vassar. Wesleyan's 16.5% acceptance rate is lower than Vassar's 18.6%.
Which is cheaper, Vassar or Wesleyan?
Wesleyan costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Wesleyan's average net price is $30,177 vs $39,343 at Vassar.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
Wesleyan graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $71,366 at Vassar and $73,897 at Wesleyan.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Vassar | Wesleyan |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 18.6% | 16.5% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1450–1550 | 1415–1540 |
| ACT mid-50% | 33–35 | 33–35 |
| Cost of attendance | $87,419 | $89,020 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $39,343 | $30,177 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 2,444 | 3,067 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 91.1% | 92.6% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $71,366 | $73,897 |
| Setting | Poughkeepsie, New York | Middletown, Connecticut |
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS) and school-published admit cycle data. Last verified May 2026.
The Real Differences
Wesleyan is modestly harder to get into. The 2.1-point gap matters at the margin but doesn't change the overall difficulty tier. Both schools draw similar applicant pools and admit similar profiles.
Wesleyan is significantly cheaper after aid. The average net price gap is $9,166 per year, $36,664 over four years. For most families that difference is the deciding factor when both schools admit you.
Geographic difference matters more than the campus tour suggests. Vassar is in Poughkeepsie, New York; Wesleyan is in Middletown, Connecticut. Climate, cost-of-living, and proximity to job markets in your target field shape the four-year experience and post-grad pipeline more than most prospective students realize.
Student Body Composition
The two schools have different student body compositions. Vassar is 61.7% women, 6.1% international, and 11.7% Asian-American. Wesleyan is 52.2% women, 9.9% international, and 9.0% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Vassar | Wesleyan |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 61.7% | 52.2% |
| International | 6.1% | 9.9% |
| White | 54.0% | 53.6% |
| Asian | 11.7% | 9.0% |
| Hispanic | 13.6% | 10.8% |
| Black | 3.8% | 6.0% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Vassar vs. Wesleyan?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick Vassar if
- Your odds are realistic at Vassar (slightly easier admit)
- the open curriculum
Pick Wesleyan if
- Net price matters: Wesleyan costs $9,166 less per year on average
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($73,897 vs $71,366)
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- the College of Social Studies
Headline numbers favor one school or the other on each axis, but neither is unambiguously “better.” The right answer depends on your major fit, geographic preference, financial need, and personal odds at each. Most applicants who get into one of these schools also get into the other.
Full School Pages
For complete admissions data, supplemental essay strategy, and class profile breakdowns:
Full profile
Vassar College
18.6% accept · Poughkeepsie, New York
Full profile
Wesleyan University
16.5% accept · Middletown, Connecticut
Sources
- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard for acceptance rates, test ranges, financial aid, demographics, completion, and earnings.
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) for the underlying federal data.
- Each school's most recent published Common Data Set for cycle-specific admissions stats.
Last verified May 2026. Stats reflect each school's most recent publicly published admit cycle.