Head-to-Head Comparison
Case Western Reserve University vs Washington University in St Louis
- Case Western Wins
- 10
- Tied
- 16
- Washington St Wins
- 28
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Washington University in St Louis offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $21,786 vs Case Western Reserve University's $41,190, Washington University in St Louis delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Washington University in St Louis's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Case Western
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $87,989 ten years after enrollment, 2% more than Washington University in St Louis
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1.8%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
Washington St
- Lower cost: Average net price of $21,786, roughly $19,404 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 94% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $17,500, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 12% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
- Research prestige: THE World Rank #38
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Case Western graduates concentrate in Engineering (23% of degrees); Washington St in Engineering (14%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick Case Western Reserve University over Washington University in St Louis. Median earnings of $87,989 ten years after enrollment vs $86,182.
Pick Washington University in St Louis over Case Western Reserve University. Net price $21,786 vs $41,190.
Pick Washington University in St Louis over Case Western Reserve University. THE World Rank #38 vs #65.
Pick Case Western Reserve University over Washington University in St Louis. 1.8% mobility rate vs 1%.
Pick Washington University in St Louis over Case Western Reserve University. 94% completion rate vs 87%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Case Western Reserve University and Washington University in St Louis are close on paper, but Washington University in St Louis wins the head-to-head, leading on 4 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Washington University in St Louis is the harder admit. It takes 12% of applicants, while Case Western Reserve University takes 37%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,513 to 1,530.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Washington University in St Louis sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, Washington University in St Louis comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $21,786, about $19,404 a year below Case Western Reserve University's $41,190. Graduates of Washington University in St Louis also borrow less: median debt of $17,500, against $24,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $77,616 before any change in aid. Choosing Washington University in St Louis leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Case Western Reserve University graduates report median earnings of $87,989, compared with $86,182 at Washington University in St Louis. That is a 2% advantage. Set against borrowing, Washington University in St Louis has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.2x to 0.27x.
So what: An earnings gap of 2% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Finishing the degree
Washington University in St Louis graduates a larger share of its students, 94% versus 87%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 7% is a risk measure. Students at the school with the lower rate face higher odds of leaving with debt and no degree, the most expensive outcome in higher education.
Moving people up
Case Western Reserve University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 1.8%; at Washington University in St Louis, it is 1%. Case Western Reserve University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 3.3% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 1.9%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Case Western Reserve University offers the stronger statistical shot at reaching the top of the income distribution. The gap is wide enough to weigh in any access-minded decision.
Research standing
In the Times Higher Education world table, Washington University in St Louis sits higher, at #38 versus #65.
So what: Research rank matters most for students headed to graduate school or hoping to work in faculty labs. For undergraduates going straight into the job market, it is a weak predictor of earnings.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Washington University in St Louis to keep costs and debt down; pick Case Western Reserve University for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 6 of 6 core signals used here, so every comparison above matches reported data against reported data.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. Washington University in St Louis saves about $19,404 a year, yet Case Western Reserve University graduates earn $1,807 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Washington University in St Louis is harder to get into, with a 12% admit rate, but Case Western Reserve University posts the higher mobility rate, at 1.8%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Their academic identities diverge. Case Western Reserve University concentrates enrollment in Computer Science & IT, while Washington University in St Louis leans toward Social Sciences. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $41,190 runs well above Washington University in St Louis's $21,786.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $24,000, against $17,500 at Washington University in St Louis.
No strong negative signals — Washington St competes well across the dimensions measured.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Washington St holds onto its admits more tightly: 48% of admitted students enroll, versus 12% at Case Western — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Both reward applying early, but the binding round pays off more at Washington St (27.0% Early Decision admit rate vs 25.0%). Early Decision is binding, so it only makes sense if the school is a clear first choice.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 6 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Research (Times HE) 4 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH · Private nonprofit
With an enrollment of nearly 6,500 students and a 37% acceptance rate, Case Western Reserve University attracts those who are serious about their education and future. Here, students dive into strong programs in Engineering, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Computer Science, and Business. The 87% graduation rate speaks volumes about the supportive environment that enables students to succeed academically and professionally.
Looking ahead, the earning potential for graduates is promising, with a ten-year median income of about $87,989. That’s a significant number, especially when we think about what it means for students entering the workforce. It’s not just about the degree but also how well it translates into financial stability and career advancement. While the school has an 18% Pell Grant rate, indicating that some students come from lower-income backgrounds, the return on investment seems solid based on those earnings.
When considering the financial aspects, the net price after aid hovers around $41,190, which can feel daunting. However, the median debt for graduates is $24,000, suggesting that many students manage to graduate with a reasonable debt load. Those who thrive at Case Western tend to be motivated, goal-oriented individuals who are ready to engage deeply with their studies and take advantage of the university's resources. This school seems like a good fit for students who are prepared to dive into a challenging academic environment while keeping an eye on their future careers.
Washington University in St Louis
St. Louis, MO · Private nonprofit
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 They Appear On
Case Western Reserve University is featured on the Best Online Colleges in Ohio ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Mechanical Engineering as their top enrolled program field, comprising 23% of Case Western's student body and 14% of Washington St's.
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Case Western) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Washington St).
The two schools feed different job markets. Case Western Reserve University is strongest in Computer Science & IT, Health Professions, while Washington University in St Louis concentrates in Social Sciences, Business & Marketing. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Case Western Reserve University or Washington University in St Louis?
Washington University in St Louis is harder to get into, admitting 12% of applicants compared with 37% at Case Western Reserve University.
Which is more affordable, Case Western Reserve University or Washington University in St Louis?
Washington University in St Louis is more affordable, with an average net price of $21,786 after aid versus $41,190 at Case Western Reserve University.
Do Case Western Reserve University or Washington University in St Louis graduates earn more?
Case Western Reserve University graduates earn more: median earnings of $87,989 ten years after enrollment, versus $86,182 at Washington University in St Louis.
Which has a better graduation rate, Case Western Reserve University or Washington University in St Louis?
Washington University in St Louis has the higher graduation rate, 94% versus 87%.
Case Western Reserve University vs Washington University in St Louis: which is better for social mobility?
Case Western Reserve University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1.8% versus 1%.
Should you choose Case Western Reserve University or Washington University in St Louis?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Washington University in St Louis if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Case Western Reserve University if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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