Washington University in St Louis Acceptance Rate &
Washington University in St Louis is a selective private research university in St. Louis, Missouri, serving roughly 7,857 students. Admission is selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 12.06% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $65,790
- 2024 Average Net Price: $21,786 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 12.06% Selective
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 7,857 95.6% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 94.26%
- Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity
- First-Generation Students: 11.4%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 3.9% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price increase of 6.5% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 72.5%
- Average SAT Score: 1530
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 8,979
- Applicants (IPEDS): 32,240
- Room & Board: $21,854 annual estimate
Washington University in St Louis: what the data shows
Common questions about Washington University in St Louis, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Washington University in St Louis?
Washington University in St Louis is located in St. Louis, MO (ZIP 63130).
NCES locale classification: Rural fringe.
Is Washington University in St Louis public or private?
Washington University in St Louis is a Private Non-profit institution.
How much does Washington University in St Louis cost?
Published tuition: $65,790.
Average net price after aid: $21,786.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $1,716 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $1,928 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $5,578 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $12,603 |
| $110,001+ | $42,170 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $263,160.
How hard is it to get into Washington University in St Louis?
Admission rate: 12.06%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1530 and midpoint ACT 34.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Washington University in St Louis?
Total enrollment: 7,857 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 8,979 students.
Graduate enrollment: 8,137 students.
About 96% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Washington University in St Louis?
150%-time completion rate: 94.26%.
First-year retention: 95.0%.
What do graduates of Washington University in St Louis earn?
Median earnings: $78,073 six years after entry; $86,182 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $17,500.
17.75% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Washington University in St Louis known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Business Statistics (352 completions)
- Computer Science (333 completions)
- Law (285 completions)
- Business Administration and Management, General (278 completions)
- Finance, General (261 completions)
- Financial Mathematics (231 completions)
- Advanced Legal Research/Studies, General (221 completions)
- Social Work (175 completions)
- Mechanical Engineering (164 completions)
- Experimental Psychology (148 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Washington University in St Louis a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 12.06%; completion rate 94.26%; median earnings $86,182 at 10 years; net price $21,786. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$65,790
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Washington University in St Louis was $65,790.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$21,786
2024 Value
In 2024 Washington University in St Louis had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $21,786.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$87,144 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$21,786 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$263,160 4-Year Tuition
$21,854 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,304 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$88,948 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$355,792 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Washington University in St Louis.
Financial Aid by Income Level
17.75% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
11.76% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Washington University in St Louis was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Washington University in St Louis in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $44,841 | $44,841 | $33,484 |
| 2014 | $46,467 | $46,467 | $31,281 |
| 2015 | $48,093 | $48,093 | $32,873 |
| 2016 | $49,770 | $49,770 | $29,957 |
| 2017 | $51,533 | $51,533 | $28,540 |
| 2018 | $53,399 | $53,399 | $27,427 |
| 2019 | $55,292 | $55,292 | $26,869 |
| 2020 | $57,386 | $57,386 | $26,921 |
| 2021 | $58,866 | $58,866 | $27,595 |
| 2022 | $60,590 | $60,590 | $20,768 |
| 2023 | $62,982 | $62,982 | $22,117 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
12.06% Acceptance Rate
32,240 Total Applicants
3,855 Students Admitted
1,828 First-Time Students Enrolled
47.42% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution is highly selective, accepting fewer than 3 in 10 applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1530
ACT Average: 34
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.9 - 4.0
Estimated Median GPA: 4.00
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Washington University in St Louis reported total enrollment of about 7,857 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 46% male and 54% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (39.7%), Asian (20.9%), and Hispanic or Latino (13.2%). About 17.75% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 11.4% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
95.6% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Washington University in St Louis in 2024 is 7,857 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 8,979 students. Graduate enrollment is about 8,137 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
95.0%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 39.7%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
85.14% 100% Completion Time
94.26% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 85.14% of students graduating from Washington University in St Louis completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Business Statistics: 52% male / 48% female
- Computer Science: 72% male / 28% female
- Law: 50% male / 50% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Washington University in St Louis.
Return on Investment
$17,500 Median Student Debt
$86,182 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
20.31% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
888.96% Return on Investment
2.0 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Washington University in St Louis.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 168 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Business Statistics: 352 completions
2. Computer Science: 333 completions
3. Law: 285 completions
4. Business Administration and Management, General: 278 completions
5. Finance, General: 261 completions
6. Financial Mathematics: 231 completions
7. Advanced Legal Research/Studies, General: 221 completions
8. Social Work: 175 completions
9. Mechanical Engineering: 164 completions
Most popular programs at Washington University in St Louis.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Washington University in St Louis graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Washington University in St Louis from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 72.5%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $16,945
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $181,929
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Washington University in St Louis is a private non-profit institution located in St. Louis, MO, classified as Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Business Statistics, Computer Science, Law. Enrollment is approximately 7,857 students. Student body composition includes White (39.7%), Asian (20.9%), Hispanic or Latino (13.2%). It is highly selective, with an admission rate of 12.06%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1530. The 150%-time completion rate is 94.26%. Approximately 17.75% of students receive Pell Grants. About 11.4% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Private Non-profit
Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity
Location
St. Louis, MO 63130
Region: Plains
Insights and Analysis
Exceptional Graduation Rate: With a 94.26% graduation rate, Washington University in St Louis demonstrates strong student retention and completion. This rate significantly exceeds the national average, indicating effective academic support and student services.
Strong Career Outcomes: Washington University in St Louis graduates report median earnings of $86,182 ten years after entry, placing them among the higher-earning college graduates nationally. This strong earnings potential reflects both the quality of education and the career opportunities available to graduates.
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 168 distinct degree programs, Washington University in St Louis provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Washington University in St Louis located?
Washington University in St Louis is located in St. Louis, MO.
What is Washington University in St Louis's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Washington University in St Louis is 12.1% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 32,240 applicants and 3,855 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does Washington University in St Louis cost?
Reported tuition is $65,790 and average net price is $21,786 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $21,854 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Washington University in St Louis?
Washington University in St Louis reports undergraduate enrollment of about 8,979 students, White (39.7%), Asian (20.9%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Washington University in St Louis?
About 11.4% of students at Washington University in St Louis are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Washington University in St Louis?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Washington University in St Louis reports midpoint SAT about 1530 and midpoint ACT about 34.
What do graduates of Washington University in St Louis earn?
Median earnings are $78,073 six years after entry and $86,182 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Washington University in St Louis?
The 150%-time completion rate is 94.3% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Washington University in St Louis students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $17,500.
Is Washington University in St Louis public or private?
Washington University in St Louis is a private nonprofit institution located in St. Louis, MO.
Is Washington University in St Louis an HBCU?
No. Washington University in St Louis is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Washington University in St Louis a tribal college?
No. Washington University in St Louis is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Missouri college costs
- Missouri colleges by ROI
- St. Louis, Missouri city profile
- Plains regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Missouri
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.