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22.4%Acceptance
$56,032Tuition
2,696Students
92%Grad Rate (6-yr)
$123,938Earnings
#3 in MassachusettsPrivate nonprofit4-yearSAT/ACT Test OptionalNCAA Division IIIStudy AbroadData: 2023-24

Overview

Babson College is a selective private four-year institution in Wellesley, Massachusetts. The school accepts 22.4% of applicants and enrolls 2,696 students.

Admission Statistics

Acceptance Rate
22.4%
Average SAT
1,430
SAT Range (25th–75th)
1,350–1,510
ACT Composite (avg)
32
Total Enrollment
2,696

Your Chances by SAT Score

Strong Candidate
SAT above 1,510

Your score is above the 75th percentile. You are a competitive applicant.

Competitive
SAT 1,350–1,510

Your score falls within the middle 50% of admitted students.

Reach School
SAT below 1,350

Your score is below the 25th percentile. Other parts of your application will need to stand out.

Admission Guide

Babson's admissions committee cares more about your entrepreneurial mindset than your perfect transcript. The school wants to see evidence that you think like a founder, whether through starting a small business, leading a school club in a new direction, or solving problems creatively in your community.

Your application must show you understand Babson's core philosophy: entrepreneurship as a way of thinking, not just starting companies. Write about times you identified opportunities others missed, took calculated risks, or created something new. Don't just list activities where you held leadership positions.

Reference Babson's Foundations of Management and Entrepreneurship program in your essays, where first-year students actually start and run real businesses. Mention how you want to contribute to the close-knit campus culture where professors know your name and classmates become lifelong business partners.

You're competing against applicants who assume Babson only wants future CEOs. The school actually wants students who will apply entrepreneurial thinking to any field, from social work to engineering. Show how you'll use Babson's approach beyond traditional business.

Apply Early Decision if Babson is your clear first choice. The school fills roughly half its class through ED, and the admissions office can better predict yield from committed applicants. Your demonstrated interest matters at a school this size.

Don't write generic essays about wanting to "change the world through business." Instead, describe specific problems you want to solve and why Babson's hands-on approach fits your learning style. The admissions team reads thousands of essays about passionate entrepreneurs, but fewer about students who've actually tried entrepreneurial thinking.

Submit the optional video if it shows a side of you not captured elsewhere in your application. Babson reviews these personally, and they help admissions officers understand your communication style and personality beyond test scores and grades.

Your recommendations should come from teachers or mentors who can speak to your ability to think independently and take initiative. Generic praise about being a good student won't differentiate you from other high-achieving applicants.

What It Costs If You Get In

Average Net Price
$38,876/yr
Tuition (in-state)
$56,032
Students Receiving Aid
14%

View full cost breakdown →

After You Graduate

Graduation Rate (6-year)
92.4%
Median Earnings (10yr)
$123,938/yr
Freshman Retention Rate
94.2%

View full outcomes data →

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Babson College require SAT or ACT scores for admission?

Babson College is test-optional, meaning you can choose whether or not to submit SAT or ACT scores with your application.

What is the early decision deadline for Babson College?

Babson College offers Early Decision I with a November 15 deadline and Early Decision II with a January 3 deadline. Both are binding admission options.

Can transfer students apply to Babson College?

Yes, Babson accepts transfer students for fall and spring semesters. Transfer applicants must have completed at least one semester of college coursework before applying.

What makes Babson College different from other business schools?

Babson requires all first-year students to start and run an actual business through its Foundations of Management and Entrepreneurship program. Students keep any profits they make from their ventures.