Washington University in St Louis
A good fit for high-achieving applicants seeking a top-tier program and students focused on high earning potential. no major red flags in the data. graduates earn a median of $87,900 within 10 years; exceptional 94% graduation rate.
About This School
Washington University in St Louis is a private nonprofit institution located in St. Louis, Missouri with approximately 7,857 undergraduate students enrolled. Admissions are highly selective, with an acceptance rate of 12%. The average net price after financial aid is $21,786 per year. The graduation rate is 94%, and the typical graduate earns $87,900 within 10 years of enrollment.
Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) is a private research university in the St. Louis metropolitan area, Missouri, United States. Founded in 1853 by a group of civic leaders and named for George Washington, the university spans 355 acres across its Danforth and Medical campuses. It comprises 10 schools and offers more than 150 undergraduate, 80 master's and professional, and 50 doctoral degree programs. As of 2024, Washington University enrolled 16,399 students representing all 50 U.S. states and more than 110 countries.
This is a strong option for high-achieving students who can get in — a 12% acceptance rate makes it genuinely selective, but those who enroll stick around (96% freshman retention) and finish at a 94% graduation rate, suggesting students are satisfied and well-supported. The financial picture is surprisingly reasonable for a elite private school, with median debt at graduation of just $15,000 and median earnings of $87,900 a decade out, meaning graduates tend to land on solid financial footing. The main concern is simply getting admitted — and making sure you're not one of the students paying full sticker price, since the $22,117 average net price reflects generous aid that won't apply to everyone equally.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 27% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (7,857 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in Missouri
University of Missouri-Columbia
Columbia, MO · Public
Missouri State University-Springfield
Springfield, MO · Public
Saint Louis Community College
Bridgeton, MO · Public
Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City
Kansas City, MO · Public
Ozarks Technical Community College
Springfield, MO · Public
Saint Louis University
Saint Louis, MO · Private nonprofit
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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