Wellesley is known as one of the very best liberal arts and sciences colleges in the nation. There are many factors that contribute to our continued excellence in educating women who will make a difference in the world. So, when you attend Wellesley, what can you expect? And how can the benefits of a Wellesley education be measured?

To gain insight into the value of a Wellesley education, we spoke to one of our own, Professor Karl (Chip) Case, Coman/Hepburn Professor of Economics. We asked him how to determine the value of a liberal arts and sciences education at Wellesley from an economist’s perspective. True to his professional training, he gave us five key measurements, marshaled meaningful data, and provided interesting observations. He makes a compelling case:

PROFESSOR CASE SAYS:

Wellesley students have a world of choices. There is powerful literature on the rate of return of investment in a highly selective college education. The returns are tied to the expansive opportunities and choices that a great liberal arts and sciences education provides. Students here have broad and deep choices to double major, participate in global academic exchanges, and participate in research and internships.

At larger institutions, more students compete for these spots and often require an extra semester or year to fulfill degree requirements—an expensive proposition. The academic talents of our students, mixed with our outstanding curriculum, close student/faculty collaboration, and four years of strong advising, garner many positive results. For example, our graduates earn an impressive number of prestigious grants and national fellowships for postgraduate study (Rhodes, Fulbright, Watson). And acceptance rates to graduate and professional programs are among the highest nationally.

PROFESSOR CASE SAYS:

Faculty now and later. At Wellesley we go to bat one student at a time. We are here because we want to teach and mentor students. At a small liberal arts and sciences college like Wellesley, you will find two or three professors who will really look after you. I both attended and taught for several years at a large Ivy League institution. I couldn’t tell you some of my professors’ names. I saw a lot of undergraduate students fall through the cracks. At Wellesley, interaction with faculty is part of daily life. Your professors may eat at your dining hall or attend your athletic event or music group performance. Students form lifetime relationships with faculty, meet at conferences, stay in touch via email, and return to Wellesley to visit.

Faculty members are well-connected; they stay at the forefront in their careers and have strong connections to graduate schools and employers. They call us, we call them; much of the placement is done this way. Virtually no one gets in without phone calls. We know them well, and graduate schools and employers know that Wellesley students have strong academic and leadership skills. These connections give our graduates a huge leg up on the competition. It’s part of what you are paying for, and it’s an advantage that lasts a lifetime.

PROFESSOR CASE SAYS:

Cosmopolitan location. I love Boston and don’t know anyone here who doesn’t benefit from the city. Access to cultural, academic, social, business, and medical institutions is a powerful booster to the education at Wellesley. These resources benefit students directly, in every interaction they chose.

Not so obvious is the impact on faculty. We enjoy the advantages of colleagues, meetings, and research in this academic hub. I regularly attend conferences in Boston. Events most professors would only get to once a year, I go to weekly. Wellesley can hire great scholars because we have access to a strong pool in Boston already, and the best are willing to move to this rich environment of peers. We successfully compete for faculty with Ivy League colleges, not only with other liberal arts colleges.

PROFESSOR CASE SAYS:

Financial strength and stability. The financial strength and the stability of an institution are foremost. Does a college have funds to enrich the learning experience? Are building and capital improvements ongoing? Is technology and scientific equipment state-of-the-art? Are campus facilities and residence halls well maintained? Have capital campaigns been successful? At Wellesley, the answer is a resounding, “Yes!”

Wellesley’s strong endowment enables us to offer need-blind admission; this allows us to enroll the best and brightest students, regardless of their ability to pay. Investment in science and technology at Wellesley is ongoing and significant, which allows us to stay ahead of the curve. Anyone who has visited campus knows the valuable asset here in buildings, equipment, and technology.

PROFESSOR CASE SAYS:

A lifetime of advantages. If considering a coed college, you may want to note the ratio of male/female leadership positions. Is it 50 percent women, but 90 percent of leadership roles are held by men? What percent of women are awarded funds for research, earn key jobs, attend scientific meetings? Is the faculty male dominated? Wellesley graduates are contributors to and leaders in virtually every field. Many alumnae go on to successful careers in medicine, business, politics, social service, law, diplomacy, research, education, and the arts.

The network. Alumnae participation at Wellesley, both financially and personally, is legendary. Over 20,000 active alumnae are ready to act as mentors, arrange interviews, or help you network in their organizations or industries. They can also be helpful when relocating to a new city, introducing you to friends, or even helping you find a place to live.