Head-to-Head Comparison
Cornell University vs Washington University in St Louis
- Cornell Wins
- 23
- Tied
- 15
- Washington St Wins
- 16
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Washington University in St Louis offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Cornell University achieves a higher graduation rate (95% vs 94%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $28,690 compared to Washington University in St Louis's $21,786 for in-state paths. Students who choose Washington University in St Louis benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $86,182 at ten years.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Cornell
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $104,043 ten years after enrollment, 21% more than Washington University in St Louis
- Less debt: Median debt of $14,000, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2.9%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- More selective: Admits 9% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
- Research prestige: THE World Rank #14
Washington St
- Lower cost: Average net price of $21,786, roughly $6,904 a year less
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Cornell graduates concentrate in Computer Science & IT (19% 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 Cornell University over Washington University in St Louis. Median earnings of $104,043 ten years after enrollment vs $86,182.
Pick Washington University in St Louis over Cornell University. Net price $21,786 vs $28,690.
Pick Cornell University over Washington University in St Louis. THE World Rank #14 vs #38.
Pick Cornell University over Washington University in St Louis. 2.9% mobility rate vs 1%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Cornell University and Washington University in St Louis are close on paper, but Cornell University wins the head-to-head, leading on 5 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Cornell University is the harder admit. It takes 9% of applicants, while Washington University in St Louis takes 12%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,535 to 1,530.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Cornell University 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 $6,904 a year below Cornell University's $28,690. Graduates of Cornell University also borrow less: median debt of $14,000, against $17,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $27,616 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, Cornell University graduates report median earnings of $104,043, compared with $86,182 at Washington University in St Louis. That is a 21% advantage. Set against borrowing, Cornell University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.13x to 0.2x.
So what: An earnings gap of 21% 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.
Moving people up
Cornell University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2.9%; at Washington University in St Louis, it is 1%. Cornell University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 4.9% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 1.9%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Cornell 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, Cornell University sits higher, at #14 versus #38.
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 Cornell 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 $6,904 a year, yet Cornell University graduates earn $17,861 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Their academic identities diverge. Cornell University concentrates enrollment in Computer Science & IT, Business & Marketing, while Washington University in St Louis leans toward Biology & Biomedical, 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 $28,690 runs well above Washington University in St Louis's $21,786.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Cornell University's enrollment of 15,995 far exceeds Washington University in St Louis's 7,857.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $17,500, against $14,000 at Cornell University.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Washington University in St Louis's enrollment, and Cornell University is stronger here.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Cornell holds onto its admits more tightly: 69% of admitted students enroll, versus 48% at Washington St — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Washington St offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Cornell does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there.
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
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY · Private nonprofit
Cornell University in Ithaca, NY, is a fitting choice for students who are academically driven and eager for a deeply engaging campus experience. With an acceptance rate of just 9%, this school attracts some of the brightest minds, and it has a graduation rate of 95%. Students here dive into popular programs like Computer Science, Business, and Engineering, all of which are designed to prepare them for competitive fields.
After graduation, individuals from Cornell see impressive financial returns, with a median earning of about $104,043 after ten years. This level of income reflects the value of the education received and the strong career paths available to graduates. Although the cost of attendance can be significant, the financial aid landscape is supportive, especially for those who qualify for Pell Grants, which help about 18% of students.
The net price after aid stands at approximately $28,690, which is manageable considering the median debt of $14,000 that graduates carry. This financial framework means that most students can graduate with a reasonable amount of debt, allowing them to focus on their careers and aspirations rather than being weighed down by financial burdens. Those who thrive at Cornell are typically motivated, engaged, and ready to take advantage of the many resources and connections available to them.
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
Cornell University and Washington University in St Louis appear together in 2 rankings. On the Best Private University MBA Programs, Cornell University ranks #1 — Cornell University outranks Washington University in St Louis by 7 positions.
Top Degree Programs
Cornell's top program is Computer Science (19% of enrollment), while Washington St leads with Mechanical Engineering (14%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Cornell) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Washington St).
The two schools feed different job markets. Cornell University is strongest in Computer Science & IT, while Washington University in St Louis concentrates in Social Sciences. 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 Cornell University or Washington University in St Louis?
Cornell University is harder to get into, admitting 9% of applicants compared with 12% at Washington University in St Louis.
Which is more affordable, Cornell 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 $28,690 at Cornell University.
Do Cornell University or Washington University in St Louis graduates earn more?
Cornell University graduates earn more: median earnings of $104,043 ten years after enrollment, versus $86,182 at Washington University in St Louis.
Which has a better graduation rate, Cornell University or Washington University in St Louis?
Cornell University has the higher graduation rate, 95% versus 94%.
Cornell University vs Washington University in St Louis: which is better for social mobility?
Cornell University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 2.9% versus 1%.
Should you choose Cornell 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 Cornell 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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