Non-Profit Private
Accredited · New England Commission on Higher Education
Wellesley, Massachusetts
19.7% Acceptance Rate
Babson College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
19.7%Acceptance Rate
3.79Avg GPA
1435Avg SAT
32Avg ACT
$77,248Annual Cost
$123,938Grad Salary
14.2%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
19.7%
Avg GPA
3.79
Avg SAT
1435
Avg ACT
32
Selectivity
Highly Competitive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
New England Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1380–1500
ACT Middle 50%
30–33
Need-Based Aid
14.2% receive Pell
Babson College, founded in 1919, is the world's leading institution for entrepreneurship education. Located in Wellesley, Massachusetts, Babson offers undergraduate and graduate programs that blend business education with liberal arts and sciences. The college's signature Entrepreneurship Intensity Track allows students to launch real ventures. Babson's F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business is consistently ranked among the top for entrepreneurship. The 370-acre campus features state-of-the-art facilities like the Weissman Foundry maker space.
Babson's collaborative learning environment brings together students from 80+ countries. The college's Women Innovating Now (WIN) Lab supports female entrepreneurs. Through the Babson Entrepreneurial Thought & Action methodology, students learn to create economic and social value. Alumni include founders of major companies and social enterprises who drive innovation worldwide. Babson's unique focus on entrepreneurial leadership prepares graduates to navigate an ever-changing business landscape.
Babson College Acceptance Rate
Babson College admits about 19.7% of applicants, around 20 per 100, making it a highly competitive option among colleges in Massachusetts.
What Babson College Admissions Looks For
- Consistent Academics: A steady record of A-level performance across core subjects is expected.
- Score Validation: A strong SAT or ACT score can offset a minor GPA dip.
- Sustained Involvement: Depth in 2–3 activities reads better than breadth across ten.
Selectivity at a Glance
Highly Competitive
Selectivity scale: Highly Competitive — 19.7% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Babson College reviews the whole profile, not just grades. A well-crafted personal statement genuinely moves the needle here.
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.79 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.59 – 3.78
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.34
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Babson College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for Babson College is November 1 for Early Decision I applicants, with additional plans listed below. Admission decisions are typically released by December 15.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 85 days left — Early Decision I
Early Decision I
November 1
Decision by: December 15
Early Action
November 1
Decision by: December 15
Early Decision II
January 2
Decision by: February 15
Regular Decision
January 2
Decision by: March 15
💡 The scholarship deadline (November 1, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Babson College GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Babson College is 3.79. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.49 and 3.79? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently. For an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.99–4.19.Babson College GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Highly selective; GPA is within the typical admitted range.
Recommended Strategy: Standardized Test Scores (SAT/ACT) in the top 5th percentile.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.79 – 4.00
Competitive Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.59 – 3.78
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.39 – 3.58
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.38
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Babson's acceptance rate runs roughly 15-20% depending on the cycle and source, with Early Decision providing a substantial advantage at roughly double the Regular Decision rate.
- Babson is test-optional, with approximately half of recent admits choosing to submit scores, reflecting genuine flexibility rather than a policy that quietly disadvantages non-submitters.
- The Honors Program at Babson can only be joined after the first year and requires a minimum 3.4 GPA, including an honors project and study abroad component - a detail worth knowing for academically ambitious applicants planning their trajectory beyond admission.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Babson College
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Babson College's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Babson College Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Babson College is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Babson College Without SAT or ACT?
Babson College considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Babson College Average SAT Score: 1435
The average SAT score of admitted students at Babson College is 1435 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1435 — Very Competitive
A 1435 average puts Babson College well above the national mean SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1500 SAT or 33 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Babson College allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1380, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Babson College. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 750 | 720 | 780 |
| SAT Reading | 690 | 660 | 720 |
| SAT Composite | 1435 | 1380 | 1500 |
Below 1380, you're behind most admitted students; at 1500 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1450
Can I get into Babson College with a 1500 SAT?
A 1500 SAT puts you ahead of most of Babson College's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Babson College ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at Babson College is 32.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 32 — Very Competitive
An average of 32 is well above the national ACT mean.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 30 | 28 | 32 |
| ACT English | 32 | 29 | 35 |
| ACT Composite | 32 | 30 | 33 |
Can I get into Babson College with a 33 ACT?
A 33 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of Babson College's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section, especially Science at STEM-focused schools, stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at Babson College.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Babson College
Selective Strategy: Competitive Positioning
At Babson College, admissions looks for reliable, high-achieving students. The goal is to land as a top-tier applicant. That's what triggers both admission and the best merit aid.
Use the Required Why-Major-Plus-Why-Us Essay to Show a Genuine, Specific Business Instinct
Babson's single required 500-word essay combines "why business/entrepreneurship" and "why Babson specifically" into one prompt, uniquely allowing you to submit either a written response or a 1-minute video. Ground your answer in a real moment that sparked your interest in business (a job, a family venture, a failed idea) rather than abstract enthusiasm, and connect it concretely to a named Babson resource - the Blank Center for Entrepreneurship, the Cutler Center for Investments and Finance, or a specific program.
Demonstrate Readiness for FME - Babson's Required First-Year, Launch-an-Actual-Business Course
Every first-year student takes the yearlong Foundations of Management and Entrepreneurship (FME) course, working in a team to develop, launch, and manage a real business venture with faculty and upper-class mentor support, now incorporating AI tools into the venture-building process. Use your essays or activity descriptions to show genuine comfort with ambiguity, teamwork under real stakes, and learning from failure - qualities FME explicitly demands from day one.
Consider the Video Submission Option If You Communicate Better Verbally Than in Writing
Babson's required essay's video option is a deliberate, distinctive feature reflecting the school's communication- and persuasion-oriented business focus - not a gimmick. If you're a stronger verbal communicator, a well-prepared one-minute video genuinely lets you "sell" your fit with Babson the way you would a real pitch, which can work to your advantage in a way a written essay might not.
Understand That Babson Has Only One Major - Frame Your Interest Within Business, Not Around It
Babson offers a single major, Business Administration & Management, meaning your application shouldn't hedge around wanting to "explore" unrelated fields the way you might at a broader liberal arts college. Show genuine, specific interest within business - finance, social innovation, technology entrepreneurship - rather than describing business as one option among several you're considering.
Expert Insight: Do not submit a generic "why business" response that could apply to any business school - Babson's essay prompt explicitly combines major and institutional fit into one question, and given the school's singular focus on entrepreneurship education, a response lacking concrete personal grounding in business (a specific job, venture, or problem you've engaged with) will read as a poor fit for a community where every student launches a real venture in their first year.
Babson College Profile
Full Name
Babson College
City
Wellesley
State
Massachusetts
ZIP Code
02457-0310
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE)
Is a Babson College Degree Worth It?
At $77,248/year against a $123,938 median graduate salary, Babson College is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
The average household income among admitted students is $83,000, with a graduate unemployment rate of 2.93%.
How much does a degree from Babson College Cost?
The sticker price is $77,248/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
14.2% of students receive a Pell Grant and 26% take federal loans at Babson College. File your FAFSA early and list Babson College as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Babson College Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $123,938. That's about 205% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Babson College. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Clara University | Santa Clara, CA | 1417 | 32 |
| Colorado School of Mines | Golden, CO | 1403 | 31 |
| Connecticut College | New London, CT | 1412 | 32 |
| Trinity College | Hartford, CT | 1396 | 32 |
| American University | Washington, DC | 1392 | 31 |
| University of Florida | Gainesville, FL | 1397 | 31 |
| University of Miami | Coral Gables, FL | 1416 | 32 |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Champaign, IL | 1418 | 32 |
| Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology | Terre Haute, IN | 1389 | 32 |
| Simpson College | Indianola, IA | 1410 | 32 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Babson College. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado College | Colorado Springs, CO | 1445 | 33 |
| George Washington University | Washington, DC | 1433 | 33 |
| Tulane University of Louisiana | New Orleans, LA | 1443 | 32 |
| Hillsdale College | Hillsdale, MI | 1433 | 32 |
| Kenyon College | Gambier, OH | 1440 | 33 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Babson College. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claremont McKenna College | Claremont, CA | 1514 | 34 |
| Northeastern University Oakland | Oakland, CA | 1472 | 32 |
| Scripps College | Claremont, CA | 1480 | 33 |
| University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA | 1501 | 34 |
| Wesleyan University | Middletown, CT | 1513 | 34 |
Degree Programs at Babson College
Bachelor Degree Programs
Masters Degree Programs
Professional Certificate Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Babson College Admissions
Babson College graduates typically earn around $123,938 a year, on the higher end depending on industry.
At about $77,248 a year, Babson College's cost is on the higher end; look closely at aid options.
Babson College's Pell Grant rate of 14.2% sits below the national average. Merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
Babson College admits 19.7% of applicants, placing it firmly in the highly competitive range.
Admitted students at Babson College average a 3.79 GPA.
Babson College doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.49 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.39, Babson College becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at Babson College — aim above 1435, ideally within the 1380–1500 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Babson College is November 1 for Early Decision I applicants. Admission decisions are released by December 15.
The application fee is 75. Fee waivers may be available. Check with admissions.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is November 1, 2026. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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