DEEPCOLLEGES · OPS · v3.3 SCHOOLS·INDEXED 100 SOURCES IPEDS · CDS · SCORECARD LAST·SYNC 2026.04.29
CAMPUS · SAINT LOUIS, MO · PRIVATE

Washington University in St. Louis

Washington University in St Louis
12.0%
ACCEPT
01Acceptance 02Tuition 03Transfer 04ROI 05AP Credit 06Majors 07Housing 08International
92
FIT
REACH
Washington University in St. Louis is a reach for most applicants.
Score reflects acceptance odds × cost × outcome quality.
ACCEPTANCE
12.0%
of 32,240 applicants
SALARY · 10-YR
$86,182
across all majors
01

Washington University in St. Louis at a Glance

18,292
Total Enrollment
$17,500
Median Debt
16.0%
Pell Grant Rate

Average SAT & ACT Scores for Washington University in St. Louis

Test25th Percentile75th PercentileMidpoint
SAT Reading730770750
SAT Math770800785
SAT Total150015701535
ACT Composite333534

Admissions Funnel

Applications Received32,240
Students Admitted3,855
Students Enrolled1,828
Yield Rate47.4%

Washington University in St. Louis Rankings

Ranking2025Year
US News National Universities #24 2025
QS World University Rankings #111 2025
ARWU (Shanghai) #22 2024

Washington University in St. Louis Overview

Washington University in St Louis is a private university in Saint Louis, MO with 18,292 students. Its 12.0% acceptance rate places it among America's most selective universities. The most popular majors are Business/Marketing, Social Sciences, and Engineering. Graduates earn a median of $86,182 ten years after enrollment.

Full NameWashington University in St Louis
LocationSaint Louis, MO 63130-4899
TypePrivate
Websitewustl.edu/
Total Enrollment18,292
Undergrad Enrollment8,821
Female Students55.3%

Washington University in St. Louis Graduate Earnings Overview

$78,073
Median Salary (6yr)
$86,182
Median Salary (10yr)
$17,500
Median Debt
4.9x
Earnings / Debt

Washington University in St. Louis graduates earn a median of $86,182 ten years after enrollment against median debt of $17,500. Actual outcomes depend heavily on your chosen major.

Salary by Major at Washington University in St. Louis

Earnings data by program, measured four years after graduation.

ProgramUS RankWashington University in St. Louis SalaryNational MedianPremium
Computer Science #35 NaN%
Business #13 NaN%
Health Professions #8 NaN%
Social Sciences #18 NaN%
Biological Sciences #20 NaN%

Most Popular Majors at Washington University in St. Louis

What students actually study — percentage of degrees awarded by field.

Business/Marketing
16.8%
Social Sciences
13.2%
Engineering
10.6%
Biological Sciences
10.3%
Computer Science
8.6%
Multidisciplinary
7.6%
Psychology
7.2%
Visual/Performing Arts
6.0%
Mathematics/Statistics
3.3%
Physical Sciences
2.5%
Foreign Languages
2.4%
Ethnic/Cultural Studies
2.2%

Is Washington University in St. Louis Worth It? The ROI Verdict

Washington University in St. Louis delivers strong financial returns for most graduates.

95 ROI Score
DeepColleges ROI Score: 95/100
Based on earnings relative to net cost across income brackets.

Washington University in St. Louis True Cost by Family Income

Sticker price doesn't tell the full story at WashU. Families earning $0-30k pay around $1,716 per year after aid, while those in the $110k+ bracket pay about $42,170. 16% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating WashU enrolls a meaningful share of lower-income students. The median debt of $17,500 is very manageable relative to the $78,073 median salary six years out.

Family IncomeAnnual Net Price4-Year Total
$0-30k $1,716 $6,864
$30-48k $1,928 $7,712
$48-75k $5,578 $22,312
$75-110k $12,603 $50,412
$110k+ $42,170 $168,680

Cost Breakdown

Room & Board$20,778
Total Cost of Attendance$88,488

Washington University in St. Louis Programs & Graduate Salary

Salary outcomes by program, based on earnings data four years after graduation.

ProgramUS RankWashington University in St. Louis SalaryNational MedianPremium
Computer Science #35 +NaN%
Business #13 +NaN%
Health Professions #8 +NaN%
Social Sciences #18 +NaN%
Biological Sciences #20 +NaN%

Student Demographics

White
43.5%
Black/African American
10.2%
Hispanic/Latino
11.5%
Asian
18.6%
International
8.1%

How to Get Into Washington University in St. Louis

WashU is a Reach school for nearly all applicants. Competitive applicants typically score 1535+ on the SAT. Beyond grades and scores, WashU wants to see intellectual curiosity, leadership, and a clear sense of purpose in your application. Have 2-3 realistic backup schools — even perfect-on-paper students get denied here.

1535
Target SAT Score
34
Target ACT Score
12.0%
Acceptance Rate
32,240
Total Applicants

What Washington University in St. Louis Values Most in Applicants

Admission factor importance from the Common Data Set — what the school officially says matters.

FactorImportance
Academic Gpa Very Important
Rigor Of Secondary School Record Very Important
Class Rank Considered
Standardized Test Scores Considered
Application Essay Very Important
Recommendation Important
Extracurricular Activities Very Important
Talent Ability Important
Character Personal Qualities Very Important
First Generation Considered
Alumni Relation Considered
Interview Considered
Work Experience Considered
Volunteer Work Considered

GPA Profile of Admitted Students at Washington University in St. Louis

High school GPA distribution of enrolled freshmen, from the Common Data Set.

3.75+
89%
3.50–3.74
7%
3.25–3.49
4%

Washington University in St. Louis Application Deadlines & Requirements

Key dates for the Washington University in St. Louis ED I/II admission cycle. Mark these on your calendar — missing a deadline means waiting another year.

DeadlineDate
Early DecisionNov 1
Early Decision IIJan 2
Regular DecisionJan 2
Financial Aid (FAFSA/CSS)Feb 1
Early Decision: Washington University in St. Louis offers binding Early Decision. If accepted, you must enroll and withdraw all other applications. Only apply ED if Washington University in St. Louis is your clear first choice.

Financial Aid & Student Debt

16.0%
Pell Grant Recipients
Students from low-income families
$17,500
Median Debt at Graduation
Federal loans only
$78,073
Median Earnings (6yr)
6 years after enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions About Washington University in St. Louis

What is WashU's acceptance rate?
WashU has an acceptance rate of 12.0%, making it extremely selective. This rate reflects freshman applicants for the most recent admissions cycle.
What SAT score do I need for WashU?
The middle 50% SAT range at WashU is 1500-1570. For the ACT, the middle 50% range is 33-35. Scoring above the 75th percentile puts you in a strong position, but scores alone don't determine admission.
What are the most popular majors at WashU?
The most popular majors at WashU by degrees awarded are: Business/Marketing (16.8%), Social Sciences (13.2%), Engineering (10.6%), Biological Sciences (10.3%), Computer Science (8.6%). These percentages reflect undergraduate degrees conferred in the most recent reporting year.
How much do WashU graduates earn?
WashU graduates earn a median salary of $86,182 ten years after enrollment, based on federal data. Actual earnings vary significantly by major — STEM and business graduates typically earn more, while arts and education graduates earn less.
Is WashU worth the cost?
With median earnings of $86,182 (10yr post-enrollment) and median debt of $17,500, The earning potential strongly outweighs the typical debt, making WashU a solid investment for most students. Always compare the net price (after aid) to expected earnings in your intended field.
Can I transfer to WashU?
WashU accepts transfer students, though the process is highly selective. Transfer applicants typically need a strong college GPA (3.5+), relevant coursework, and compelling reasons for transferring. The transfer acceptance rate is generally lower than freshman admission at selective schools.
▎FROM THE DATA TO YOUR LIST

Plug your stats in. We'll tell you where you stand.

Browse all schools

More About Washington University in St. Louis

Washington University in St. Louis Acceptance Rate Washington University in St. Louis Tuition & Cost Transfer to Washington University in St. Louis Washington University in St. Louis Salary & ROI Washington University in St. Louis AP Credit Best Majors at Washington University in St. Louis Washington University in St. Louis Housing International at Washington University in St. Louis

Data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, IPEDS. Washington University in St. Louis is not affiliated with DeepColleges.