Don’t let the name confuse you: WashU isn’t in D.C. or Washington state. This private research university is headquartered in Missouri and simply named after the country’s first president.
Getting in is tough, and students report that A's are elusive. As a result, competition is fierce, especially among students in the popular engineering, social sciences and business programs. But the hustle pays off: Nearly 9 in 10 students graduate on time, and alums post median earnings of about $86,000 a decade after enrolling — a premium compared to colleges with a similar mix of majors.
WashU has a thriving social scene. The Loop — an area within walking distance of campus — offers restaurants, shopping and plentiful bar options. As far as campus goes, students praise the amenities, particularly the food and dorms (they're modern, with air conditioning, carpet, laundry facilities and big living spaces). Intramural sports teams like soccer, volleyball and flag football are popular and free to play (there's a forfeit deposit, but you get refunded at the end of the semester if you don't forfeit). Environmental sustainability is a point of campus pride: In 2009, the school eliminated the sale of plastic water bottles on campus. A couple years ago, it took the cause even further by eliminating the sale of boxed water at its commencement and offering guests access to outdoor hydration stations where they could fill up reusable bottles or compostable cups.
