Head-to-Head Comparison
Quinnipiac University vs Washington University in St Louis
- Quinnipiac Wins
- 10
- Tied
- 17
- Washington St Wins
- 27
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 Quinnipiac University's $40,675, 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
Quinnipiac
No clear advantage detected in core metrics.
Washington St
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $86,182 ten years after enrollment, 3% more than Quinnipiac University
- Lower cost: Average net price of $21,786, roughly $18,889 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
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- More selective: Admits 12% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Quinnipiac graduates concentrate in Health Professions (35% 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 Quinnipiac University. Median earnings of $86,182 ten years after enrollment vs $83,759.
Pick Washington University in St Louis over Quinnipiac University. Net price $21,786 vs $40,675.
Pick Washington University in St Louis over Quinnipiac University. 1% mobility rate vs 0.9%.
Pick Washington University in St Louis over Quinnipiac University. 94% completion rate vs 77%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Quinnipiac University and Washington University in St Louis are close on paper, but Washington University in St Louis wins the head-to-head, leading on 6 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 Quinnipiac University takes 72%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,242 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 $18,889 a year below Quinnipiac University's $40,675. Graduates of Washington University in St Louis also borrow less: median debt of $17,500, against $26,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $75,556 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, Washington University in St Louis graduates report median earnings of $86,182, compared with $83,759 at Quinnipiac University. That is a 3% advantage. Set against borrowing, Washington University in St Louis has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.2x to 0.31x.
So what: An earnings gap of 3% 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 77%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 18% 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
Washington University in St Louis does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 1%; at Quinnipiac University, it is 0.9%. Washington University in St Louis also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 1.9% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 1.9%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Washington University in St Louis 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.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Washington University in St Louis to keep costs and debt down.
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
Their academic identities diverge. Quinnipiac University concentrates enrollment in Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Psychology, while Washington University in St Louis leans toward Engineering, 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 $40,675 runs well above Washington University in St Louis's $21,786.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $26,000, against $17,500 at Washington University in St Louis.
- Engineering-focused students: Washington University in St Louis has the stronger engineering programs.
- Business and consulting-track students: Washington University in St Louis has less business program depth, and Quinnipiac University offers the stronger options.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Washington St offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Quinnipiac 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
Quinnipiac University
Hamden, CT · Private nonprofit
Quinnipiac University serves over 6,500 students, with a graduation rate of 77%. This indicates a strong support system helping students to complete their degrees. The university maintains a 72% acceptance rate, making it a viable option for many applicants seeking a private education.
The earning potential for graduates is notable, with a median income of $83,759 ten years after graduation. While the specifics on mobility and economic connectedness are not provided, the solid earnings indicate that many graduates find success in their fields. The university's focus on health professions, business, and communications aligns well with job market demands.
Financially, students face a net price of $40,675, and the median student debt stands at $26,000. This suggests that while the cost of attendance is significant, many graduates are able to manage their debt effectively thanks to their earning potential. Quinnipiac attracts students who thrive in collaborative and career-oriented environments, particularly in programs like health professions and business.
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
Quinnipiac University is featured on the Best Nursing Colleges in Connecticut ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Quinnipiac's top program is Nursing (BSN) (35% of enrollment), while Washington St leads with Mechanical Engineering (14%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Quinnipiac) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Washington St).
The two schools feed different job markets. Quinnipiac University is strongest in Health Professions, Psychology, Communications, while Washington University in St Louis concentrates in Engineering, Biology & Biomedical, 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 Quinnipiac University or Washington University in St Louis?
Washington University in St Louis is harder to get into, admitting 12% of applicants compared with 72% at Quinnipiac University.
Which is more affordable, Quinnipiac 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 $40,675 at Quinnipiac University.
Do Quinnipiac 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 $83,759 at Quinnipiac University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Quinnipiac University or Washington University in St Louis?
Washington University in St Louis has the higher graduation rate, 94% versus 77%.
Quinnipiac University vs Washington University in St Louis: which is better for social mobility?
Washington University in St Louis is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1% versus 0.9%.
Should you choose Quinnipiac 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. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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