Head-to-Head Comparison
Purdue University-Main Campus vs Washington University in St Louis
- Purdue University-Main Wins
- 11
- Tied
- 18
- Washington St Wins
- 25
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Purdue University-Main Campus offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Washington University in St Louis achieves a higher graduation rate (94% vs 83%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $21,786 compared to Purdue University-Main Campus's $14,600. Students who choose Purdue University-Main Campus benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $72,424 at ten years.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Purdue University-Main
- Lower cost: Average net price of $14,600, roughly $7,186 a year less
Washington St
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $86,182 ten years after enrollment, 19% more than Purdue University
- 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
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Purdue University-Main graduates concentrate in Engineering (25% 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 Washington University in St Louis over Purdue University. Median earnings of $86,182 ten years after enrollment vs $72,424.
Pick Purdue University over Washington University in St Louis. Net price $14,600 vs $21,786.
Pick Washington University in St Louis over Purdue University. 94% completion rate vs 83%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Purdue 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 Purdue University takes 50%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,364 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, Purdue University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $14,600, about $7,186 a year below Washington University in St Louis's $21,786. Graduates of Washington University in St Louis also borrow less: median debt of $17,500, against $19,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $28,744 before any change in aid. Choosing Purdue University leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Washington University in St Louis graduates report median earnings of $86,182, compared with $72,424 at Purdue University. That is a 19% 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 19% 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 83%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 11% 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.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Purdue University to keep costs and debt down; pick Washington University in St Louis for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 5 of 6 core signals used here; where one school is missing a figure, that row is left out of the comparison rather than estimated.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. Purdue University saves about $7,186 a year, yet Washington University in St Louis graduates earn $13,758 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. Purdue University concentrates enrollment in Business & Marketing, Computer Science & IT, 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
- Students who want a smaller campus: Purdue University's enrollment of 44,503 far exceeds Washington University in St Louis's 7,857.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $21,786 runs well above Purdue University's $14,600.
- Business and consulting-track students: Washington University in St Louis has less business program depth, and Purdue University offers the stronger options.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Purdue University-Main holds onto its admits more tightly: 49% 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; Purdue University-Main does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there. Test scores matter less at Washington St, where only about 61% of enrolled freshmen submitted any SAT or ACT.
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
Purdue University-Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN · Public
With an enrollment of over 44,500 students, Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, is a solid choice for those who thrive in a large, dynamic environment. It’s particularly appealing for students interested in engineering, business, computer science, biology, and social sciences. The 50% acceptance rate suggests a competitive atmosphere, and the 83% graduation rate indicates that many students are successfully completing their degrees.
After graduation, students can expect a median earning of $72,424 after ten years. That’s a significant number, especially for graduates entering fields like engineering and technology. While the cost of attendance is reasonable, the long-term financial outlook is promising, making it clear that a degree from Purdue can lead to solid career opportunities.
When it comes to affordability, the net price after aid averages around $14,600, which is manageable for many families. With a median debt of $19,500, students leave with a debt load that is relatively low compared to potential earnings. Those who tend to thrive here are often self-motivated, ambitious, and ready to take advantage of the university's strong programs and supportive resources.
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
Washington University in St Louis is featured on the Best Colleges in Missouri ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Mechanical Engineering as their top enrolled program field, comprising 25% of Purdue University-Main'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 Purdue University-Main) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Washington St).
The two schools feed different job markets. Purdue 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 Purdue University or Washington University in St Louis?
Washington University in St Louis is harder to get into, admitting 12% of applicants compared with 50% at Purdue University.
Which is more affordable, Purdue University or Washington University in St Louis?
Purdue University is more affordable, with an average net price of $14,600 after aid versus $21,786 at Washington University in St Louis.
Do Purdue University or Washington University in St Louis graduates earn more?
Washington University in St Louis graduates earn more: median earnings of $86,182 ten years after enrollment, versus $72,424 at Purdue University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Purdue University or Washington University in St Louis?
Washington University in St Louis has the higher graduation rate, 94% versus 83%.
Should you choose Purdue University or Washington University in St Louis?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Purdue University if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Washington University in St Louis 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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