Skip to content
CollegeRanker
Colleges / MO / St. Louis
Washington University in St Louis logo

Washington University in St Louis

Private nonprofit St. Louis, MO · Suburban · Plains · 100% data reported · Agent Insights
94%
Graduation Rate
$86,182
Earnings (10yr)
$21,786
Net Price
12%
Acceptance Rate

Find Your Program

Match With an Accredited Program Accepting Applicants

Explore accredited programs — fast, free, no obligation.

✓ Accredited programs ✓ 100% free ✓ No obligation

Overview

With an acceptance rate of just 12%, Washington University in St. Louis attracts driven students looking for a rigorous academic environment. It’s a great fit for those interested in fields like engineering, biology, social sciences, computer science, and business. The graduation rate of 94% reflects a supportive community that helps students succeed and achieve their goals.

Life after graduation looks promising, with alumni reporting an average earnings of $86,182 ten years out. This figure highlights the potential for financial stability in a variety of career paths. While nearly 18% of students receive Pell Grants, the school’s commitment to affordability helps ensure that students from different economic backgrounds can thrive.

On the financial side, the net price after aid stands at $21,786, and the median debt for graduates is $17,500. This manageable debt load suggests that students here often leave school with a solid foundation for their financial futures. Those who tend to thrive are often self-motivated and eager to engage deeply with their studies and the campus community.

Rankings

How Washington Compares

Dot right of center = above national average.

NATIONAL AVGGraduation94%Earnings 10yr$86KNet Price$22KRetention95%Median Debt$18KPell Grant Rate18%

Net Price by Family Income

What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.

$2K$0-30K$2K$30-48K$6K$48-75K$42K$110K+

The Mobility Equation

Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?

ACCESS% from bottom 20%193.8%SUCCESS% who reach top 20%5350.8%MOBILITY103.72%

Cost & Financial Aid

$65,790
In-State Tuition
$65,790
Out-of-State
$21,786
Avg Net Price
$17,500
Median Debt
18%
Pell Grant Rate
12%
Federal Loan Rate

What Families Actually Pay

$1,716
Family Income $0–$30K
$1,928
Family Income $30K–$48K
$5,578
Family Income $48K–$75K
$42,170
Family Income $110K+

Graduate Outcomes

$78,073
6 Years After Entry
$81,347
8 Years
$86,182
10 Years
0.2x
Debt-to-Earnings
84%
Earning > $25K

Earnings Trajectory

$78,073 6yr $81,347 8yr $86,182 10yr

Social Mobility

Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records

103.72%
Mobility Rate
Bottom 20% → Top 20%
5350.8%
Success Rate
If bottom 20% get in
193.8%
From Bottom 20%
Share of students
$180,200
Parent Median Income

Social Capital

Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas

1.83
Economic Connectedness
Cross-class friendships
0.00
Friending Bias
Lower = more inclusive
11.1%
Volunteering Rate
1.00
Support Ratio
Community support

Research & Teaching

Data: Times Higher Education World University Rankings

#38
World Rank
58.9
Teaching
63
Research
88.6
Citations
56.4
International

Innovation

Data: Opportunity Insights Patent & Innovation Data

1.864%
Inventor Rate
227
Total Patents
159
Total Citations

Academics & Admissions

Acceptance Rate 12%
Retention Rate 95%
SAT Average 1530
ACT Midpoint 34
SAT Range 1500–1570
ACT Range 33–35
Full-Time Faculty 73%
Faculty Salary (mo) $16,945
Diversity Index 0.76
First-Gen Students 11%

Top Programs

Engineering 14%
Biology & Biomedical 12%
Social Sciences 12%
Computer Science & IT 11%
Business & Marketing 11%
Psychology 9%
Visual & Performing Arts 5%
Physical Sciences 2%