Head-to-Head Comparison
University of Virginia-Main Campus vs Washington University in St Louis
University of Virginia-Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA
Washington University in St Louis
St. Louis, MO
- Virginia-Main Campus Wins
- 16
- Tied
- 20
- Washington St Wins
- 18
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of Virginia-Main Campus offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $21,565 vs Washington University in St Louis's $21,786, University of Virginia-Main Campus delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. Students who choose University of Virginia-Main Campus benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $86,863 at ten years.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Virginia-Main Campus
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $86,863 ten years after enrollment, 1% more than Washington University in St Louis
- Lower cost: Average net price of $21,565, roughly $221 a year less
Washington St
- More selective: Admits 12% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Virginia-Main Campus graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (13% 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 University of Virginia over Washington University in St Louis. Median earnings of $86,863 ten years after enrollment vs $86,182.
Pick University of Virginia over Washington University in St Louis. Net price $21,565 vs $21,786.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
University of Virginia and Washington University in St Louis are close on paper, but University of Virginia wins the head-to-head, leading on 3 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 University of Virginia takes 17%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,480 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, University of Virginia comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $21,565, about $221 a year below Washington University in St Louis's $21,786.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $884 before any change in aid. Choosing University of Virginia leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, University of Virginia graduates report median earnings of $86,863, compared with $86,182 at Washington University in St Louis. That is a 1% advantage.
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.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick University of Virginia to keep costs and debt down.
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
Their academic identities diverge. University of Virginia concentrates enrollment in Computer Science & IT, Humanities, while Washington University in St Louis leans toward Engineering, Biology & Biomedical. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Engineering-focused students: Washington University in St Louis has the stronger engineering programs.
- Students who want a smaller campus: University of Virginia's enrollment of 17,597 far exceeds Washington University in St Louis's 7,857.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Washington University in St Louis's enrollment, and University of Virginia is stronger here.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Washington St holds onto its admits more tightly: 48% of admitted students enroll, versus 40% at Virginia-Main Campus — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Both reward applying early, but the binding round pays off more at Virginia-Main Campus (500.0% Early Decision admit rate vs 27.0%). Early Decision is binding, so it only makes sense if the school is a clear first choice. Test scores matter less at Virginia-Main Campus, where only about 6% 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
University of Virginia-Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA · Public
With an acceptance rate of just 17%, the University of Virginia-Main Campus attracts students who are ready for an academically rigorous environment. It’s a great fit for those interested in a wide range of disciplines, particularly in humanities, social sciences, engineering, business, and computer science. Students here are not just looking for a degree; they’re aiming for a transformative college experience that prepares them for real-world challenges.
After graduation, students typically see solid returns on their investment. With a median earning of $86,863 ten years post-graduation, many graduates find themselves in a stable financial position. The affordable net price of $21,565 means that with careful planning and support, students can graduate with manageable debt, averaging around $17,500. This financial outlook is encouraging, especially for those who may worry about student loans impacting their future.
Ultimately, the practical aspects of attending UVA-Main Campus play a crucial role in student success. With a supportive environment, it’s a place where driven students can thrive, particularly those who are proactive about taking advantage of the resources available. This community fosters not just academic excellence but also personal growth, making it a smart choice for those ready to engage deeply in their education.
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
University of Virginia-Main Campus and Washington University in St Louis are featured on the Colleges With the Biggest Early Decision Advantage ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Virginia-Main Campus's top program is Sociology (13% 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 Virginia-Main Campus) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Washington St).
The two schools feed different job markets. University of Virginia is strongest in Computer Science & IT, Humanities, while Washington University in St Louis concentrates in Biology & Biomedical, 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 University of Virginia or Washington University in St Louis?
Washington University in St Louis is harder to get into, admitting 12% of applicants compared with 17% at University of Virginia.
Which is more affordable, University of Virginia or Washington University in St Louis?
University of Virginia is more affordable, with an average net price of $21,565 after aid versus $21,786 at Washington University in St Louis.
Do University of Virginia or Washington University in St Louis graduates earn more?
University of Virginia graduates earn more: median earnings of $86,863 ten years after enrollment, versus $86,182 at Washington University in St Louis.
Which has a better graduation rate, University of Virginia or Washington University in St Louis?
University of Virginia has the higher graduation rate, 95% versus 94%.
Should you choose University of Virginia or Washington University in St Louis?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose University of Virginia if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Washington University in St Louis if you want the more selective, higher-stats peer group. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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