college_name
Prev RANK: 26, Best Selective Colleges Next
Overall Score: 78.72

Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO http://www.wustl.edu/
Students at Washington University in St. Louis say they study hard, like to party, love their school, and get frustrated if people haven't heard of it (or think it's in D.C. or Washington state). Academics are rigorous at the private research university, 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: Alumni post median earnings around $83,000 after they leave school. WashU has a thriving social scene. The Loop – an area within walking distance of campus – has restaurants, a movie theater and shopping, in addition to nightlife options. As far as campus goes, students at Washington U praise the amenities, particularly the food and dorms (they're modern, with air conditioning, carpet, laundry facilities and big living spaces). Three-quarters of undergraduates join intramural sports teams like badminton, bowling and table tennis. The school also brags that it's environmentally conscious, eliminating over half a million plastic bottles every year.

Costs

Est. full price 2022-2023
$81,800
% of students who get any grants
45%
Est. price for students who receive aid
$28,800
Average price for low-income students
$1,560

Admissions

Acceptance rate
14%
Median SAT/ACT score
1520/34
SAT/ACT required?
No
Undergraduate enrollment
7,400

Financial Aid

% of students with need who get grants
96%
% of need met
100%
% of students who get merit grants
3%
Average merit grant
$27,150

Student Success

Graduation rate
94%
Average time to a degree
4.1 years
Median student debt
$17,000
Early career earnings
$82,730
% earning more than a high school grad
83%

Notes: Students who get merit grants are full-time undergraduates who had no financial need and were awarded grants. Graduation rate measures degree completion within six years for both transfer students and first-time students. Early career earnings are the median earnings for both graduates and non-completers, 10 years after they first enrolled.

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, Peterson’s, Money/Witlytic calculations.

More From Money’s College Team

  • Recent College News

    Recent College News

    Read the latest Money coverage on paying for college, succeeding on campus and transitioning to the working world.
  • How to Apply for the FAFSA

    How to Apply for the FAFSA

    The application is the gateway to billions of dollars in financial aid for college.
  • Best Student Loans

    Best Student Loans

    Learn all about private student loans with Money's expert guide.