Washington University in St Louis is a private nonprofit institution offering graduate degrees based in St. Louis, Missouri. It enrolls 7,857 students (a large student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Excellent
85/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Selective
Outcomes97
Value83
Affordability28
Selectivity98
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
With an acceptance rate of 12.1%, Washington University in St Louis is a selective institution.
Acceptance Rate
12.1%
Very Selective
SAT Range (25th–75th)
1500 – 1570
Reading + Math combined
ACT Range (25th–75th)
33 – 35
Cumulative composite
Test PolicyNot ConsideredStandardized test scores are not used in admissions decisions.
5-Year Admission Trend
Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether Washington University in St Louis is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.
Stable ↓
1.9 pts
since 2019
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending Washington University in St Louis isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $21,786 per year. That's in line with the typical net price for private nonprofit colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$21,786
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
18%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
12%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees
$65,790
Room & Board (on-campus)
$21,854
Room & Board (off-campus)
$21,854
Books & Supplies
$1,304
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$3,575
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$3,575
Total Cost of Attendance
$88,488
Application fee: $75 (one-time, due at submission)
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$1,716
$30,001 – $48,000
$1,928
$48,001 – $75,000
$5,578
$75,001 – $110,000
$12,603
Over $110,000
$42,170
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$5,50010%percentile
$10,00025%percentile
$17,500Medianpercentile
$27,00075%percentile
$35,61090%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $10,054
↓ $7,446
No Pell $17,500
—
Dependent students $15,000
↓ $2,500
Independent students $16,662
↓ $838
Female students $15,000
↓ $2,500
Male students $14,824
↓ $2,676
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $8,750, less than completers ($17,500), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.
Graduation Rate & Retention
91% of full-time students who enrolled at Washington University in St Louis graduate within six years, and 95% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
91%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
95%
Returning for their second year
What this means:
Strong completion signals. Most students who start, finish.
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered Washington University in St Louis earn a median of $86,182 ten years after first enrolling. That's well above the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$86,182
Earning > $25K
91%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Earnings by Demographic
Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.
By Gender
Female graduates
$75,800
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$101,300
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
By Family Income at Entry
Family income (lowest third)
$92,000
Earnings of grads from the bottom-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (middle third)
$90,100
Earnings of grads from the middle-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (highest third)
$84,400
Earnings of grads from the top-third of family incomes at entry.
The gender gap:
Male graduates earn $25,500, about 25% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.
Loan Repayment Progression
Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.
Stable ↑
4.2 pts
across 6 years
What this signals:
Excellent. 94% of graduates were paying down at least $1 of principal seven years out.
Who Studies Here
Washington University in St Louis is home to 7,857 students, a large student community.
Total Enrolled
7,857
Part-Time
4%
First-Generation
11%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
White 39.7%3,117
Asian 20.9%1,640
Hispanic 13.2%1,035
International 9.1%711
Black 8.7%684
Other 6.3%498
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at Washington University in St Louis. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Large SuburbSt. Louis, Missouri
Housing
Strongly residential7,088 beds for 7,857 students
Adult Learners
8%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NCAAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semesterscheduling structure
What You Can Study
Washington University in St Louis offers
an extensive catalog of programs:
213 distinct programs across
24 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at Washington University in St Louis is 7:1, low (small classes, more faculty contact).
Student : Faculty
7:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Endowment
$15.4B
Strong financial cushion supports aid and stability
Avg Faculty Salary
$152,028
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
1,895 instructional faculty across 6 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Full Professors
857
45%
$205,311
Associate Professors
329
17%
$141,136
Assistant Professors
405
21%
$125,867
Instructors
56
3%
$152,604
Lecturers
245
13%
$74,669
No Rank
3
0%
$49,120
Pros & Cons of Washington University in St Louis
A quick at-a-glance summary of how Washington University in St Louis tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Highly selective, strong peer cohort
Small classes (low student-faculty ratio)
Strong six-year graduation rate
Strong first-year retention
Above-average post-graduation earnings
CONS
Highly competitive admissions, many strong applicants are rejected
Very high published cost of attendance (full-pay families pay much more than the net-price average)
Predominantly serves middle- and upper-income families
Best for:
Based on the data, Washington University in St Louis is a fit for
students prioritizing post-graduation earnings; students seeking a highly selective peer group.
Frequently Asked Questions about Washington University in St Louis
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about Washington University in St Louis.
Is Washington University in St Louis hard to get into?
Washington University in St Louis is highly selective. Its acceptance rate is 12.1%, so admitted students generally have strong grades, competitive test scores, and a well-rounded application.
What is the acceptance rate at Washington University in St Louis?
Washington University in St Louis has an acceptance rate of 12.1%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
What SAT score do you need for Washington University in St Louis?
The middle 50% of admitted students at Washington University in St Louis scored between 1500 and 1570 on the SAT (Reading + Math combined). Scores at the higher end of that range improve admissions odds materially. Per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
What ACT score do you need for Washington University in St Louis?
The middle 50% of admitted students at Washington University in St Louis scored between 33 and 35 on the ACT composite. Scores in the upper half of that range strengthen an application. Source: IPEDS 2023-24.
How much does Washington University in St Louis cost?
The average net price after aid at Washington University in St Louis is $21,786 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is Washington University in St Louis worth it?
Solid return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $86,182 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $21,786 per year. That's roughly 4.0x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is Washington University in St Louis known for?
Washington University in St Louis is best known for its programs in Management Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Legal Research. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do Washington University in St Louis graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering Washington University in St Louis are $86,182, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is Washington University in St Louis accredited?
Yes. Washington University in St Louis is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
How many students attend Washington University in St Louis?
Washington University in St Louis enrolls 7,857 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at Washington University in St Louis?
Washington University in St Louis graduates 91% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is Washington University in St Louis a public or private college?
Washington University in St Louis is a Private Nonprofit institution.
Where is Washington University in St Louis located?
Washington University in St Louis is located in St. Louis, Missouri.
What programs does Washington University in St Louis offer?
Washington University in St Louis offers 213 distinct programs. The most popular include Management Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Legal Research.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at Washington University in St Louis?
The student-to-faculty ratio at Washington University in St Louis is 7:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
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