About

About Washington University in St Louis

highly selective private universityvery high research activitystrong engineering and businesslow student faculty ratiotest optional admissions

Washington University in St Louis is a private research university in Saint Louis, MO, known for its highly selective private university, very high research activity, and strong engineering and business. With an acceptance rate of 12%, WashU is highly selective, typically enrolling around 1,813 students each year. WashU is test optional; students who submit scores are typically admitted with SATs between 1500–1570, though many competitive applicants choose not to submit. WashU meets 100% of demonstrated financial need and has replaced loans with grants; for families earning under $75,000, the net cost is often $0.

Admissions

Washington University in St Louis acceptance rate and admitted student profile

highly selective

12%
Overall Accept Rate
4.00
Typical Admitted GPA
1535
Median Admitted SAT
GPATypical admitted range: 3.75 – 4.00 unweighted

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SATSubmitted score range: 1500 – 1570 (test optional)

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ACTScore range: 33 – 35

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ED advantage at Washington University in St Louis: ED acceptance rate is 26% vs 12% regular decision, more than double. If Washington University in St Louisis your first choice and you've confirmed the financial fit, Early Decision is one of the highest-leverage decisions you can make.

Application Strategy

Strategy tips for applying to Washington University in St Louis

The first 2 tips apply to all applicants. Your personalized strategy requires your profile — build your free list to unlock it.

Essay Strategy
WashU rates essays as their highest priority factor, so treat every prompt as an opportunity to show genuine intellectual curiosity. Admissions officers want to see how you think, not just what you have done, so go beyond listing achievements and dig into why ideas matter to you.
Essay Strategy
WashU's supplemental essay asks why you want to attend, and vague answers about a 'great campus' will hurt you. Name specific programs, professors, research centers, or interdisciplinary offerings like the University Scholars Program that connect directly to your academic goals.

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Financial Aid & Cost

What Washington University in St Louis actually costs your family

Average net prices by income bracket from College Scorecard data.

Loan-free financial aid: Washington University in St Louis has replaced all loans with grants. For families earning under $75,000, the average net annual cost is $0. Washington University in St Louis's sticker price of ~$82k/year bears almost no resemblance to what most families pay.
Family IncomeSticker PriceEst. Net Cost / yr
0-30kOften $0~$82k/yr~$0 / yr
30k-48kOften $0~$82k/yr~$0 / yr
48k-75kOften $0~$82k/yr~$0 / yr
75k-110k~$82k/yr$12.6k
110k+~$82k/yr$42.2k

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Outcomes & Campus

Student outcomes and campus profile

94%
6-Year Graduation Rate
$78k
Median Earnings (6 yrs)
7:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
7,757
Undergrad Enrollment
Washington University in St Louis Acceptance Rate & Admissions | SpearMatch