Head-to-Head Comparison
Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia vs Washington University in St Louis
Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA
Washington University in St Louis
St. Louis, MO
- Saint Joseph's Wins
- 12
- Tied
- 21
- Washington St Wins
- 21
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 Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia's $29,689, 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
Saint Joseph's
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $86,881 ten years after enrollment, 1% more than Washington University in St Louis
Washington St
- Lower cost: Average net price of $21,786, roughly $7,903 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
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Saint Joseph's graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (39% 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 Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia over Washington University in St Louis. Median earnings of $86,881 ten years after enrollment vs $86,182.
Pick Washington University in St Louis over Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia. Net price $21,786 vs $29,689.
Pick Washington University in St Louis over Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia. 94% completion rate vs 79%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia 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 Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia takes 89%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,258 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 $7,903 a year below Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia's $29,689. Graduates of Washington University in St Louis also borrow less: median debt of $17,500, against $25,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $31,612 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, Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia graduates report median earnings of $86,881, compared with $86,182 at Washington University in St Louis. That is a 1% advantage. Set against borrowing, Washington University in St Louis has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.2x to 0.29x.
So what: An earnings gap of 1% 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 79%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 15% 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 Washington University in St Louis to keep costs and debt down; pick Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia 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. Washington University in St Louis saves about $7,903 a year, yet Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia graduates earn $699 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. Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia concentrates enrollment in Business & Marketing, Health Professions, while Washington University in St Louis leans toward Engineering, 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 $29,689 runs well above Washington University in St Louis's $21,786.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $25,500, 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 Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia offers the stronger options.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Washington University in St Louis's enrollment of 7,857 far exceeds Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia's 4,948.
Full Data Breakdown
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
Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA · Private nonprofit
With an enrollment of nearly 5,000 students, Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia is a welcoming space for those looking to balance solid academics with a vibrant campus life. The acceptance rate of 89% suggests that we can expect a diverse group of students, many of whom are drawn to popular programs in Business and Marketing, Health Professions, Biology, Education, and Social Sciences. This mix means you'll find a community where collaboration and support thrive, making it a good fit if you're looking to dive deep into any of these fields.
Looking ahead, graduates from Saint Joseph's can anticipate a promising financial future. On average, alumni earn about $86,881 a decade after completing their studies, which is a solid return on investment considering the cost of education. Affordability is also a key factor here; the net price after aid stands at $29,689, and while some students do take on debt, with a median of $25,500, the earnings potential can help ease that burden for many.
In practical terms, students who tend to thrive at Saint Joseph's often embrace the collaborative atmosphere and are eager to engage with the community. The university supports a range of financial aid options, though it's worth noting that only 20% of students receive Pell Grants, meaning there’s a diverse economic mix on campus. This environment can be especially beneficial for those who are proactive about their education and seek to leverage the school's resources to create their own opportunities.
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
Saint Joseph's's top program is Business Administration (39% 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 Saint Joseph's) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Washington St).
The two schools feed different job markets. Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia is strongest in Health Professions, Psychology, while Washington University in St Louis concentrates in Engineering, 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.
Saint Joseph's
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia or Washington University in St Louis?
Washington University in St Louis is harder to get into, admitting 12% of applicants compared with 89% at Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia.
Which is more affordable, Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia 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 $29,689 at Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia.
Do Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia or Washington University in St Louis graduates earn more?
Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia graduates earn more: median earnings of $86,881 ten years after enrollment, versus $86,182 at Washington University in St Louis.
Which has a better graduation rate, Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia or Washington University in St Louis?
Washington University in St Louis has the higher graduation rate, 94% versus 79%.
Should you choose Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia 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 Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia 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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