Our alumnae network The Wellesley Effect Career Outcomes and Professional Achievement of Wellesley Alumnae
Our key findings
The world has understood for a long time that a Wellesley education produces leaders. It’s frequently been called the “Wellesley effect.” Thirty years ago, the New York Times ran a piece whose title offered a simple formula, “How to Succeed? Go to Wellesley.” In honor of Wellesley’s 150th anniversary, the Lulu Chow Wang ’66 Center for Career Education joined forces with the labor market analytics firm Lightcast to see if the Wellesley effect could be quantified.
Key finding #1 Wellesley graduates break barriers
entering fields where women are traditionally underrepresented, such as business, STEM, and politics.
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500 More than 500 Wellesley alumnae have launched startups.
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#1 Wellesley College is the number one liberal arts college for educating women who earn Ph.D.s in science and engineering.
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17% Alumnae are 17% better represented in executive, legislative, and other government roles than the alumnae of other highly selective colleges.
Key finding #2 A Wellesley liberal arts education leads to career success
Wellesley graduates who reached the executive level were just as likely to have majored in humanities as in the social sciences or STEM.
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10% Ten percent of all alumnae are serving in executive level positions in their careers, with just as many humanities majors represented in this group as other disciplinary areas.
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#1 Wellesley has ranked first or second for first-destination career outcomes compared to other selective colleges and universities since 2016, when this metric became a national standard.
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97% Six months after commencement, 97% of the members of the class of 2024 were employed, attending graduate school, or participating in military or service programs.
Key finding #3 Wellesley graduates succeed and lead
more often than the alumnae of other peer women’s colleges and peer liberal arts institutions.
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15 Within 15 years of graduating, over 40% of alumnae have ascended into management roles. The most common titles are chief executive officer, president, and executive director.
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#4 Wellesley ranks fourth among the other selective colleges and universities for alumnae serving on corporate and nonprofit boards
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60% Nearly 60% of Wellesley alumnae have pursued advanced degrees overall.