Washington University in St Louis
Washington University in St Louis — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Washington University in St Louis at a Glance
Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) is a private research university in the St. Louis metropolitan area, Missouri, United States. Founded in 1853 by a group of civic leaders and named for the first U.S. President George Washington, the university spans 355 acres across its Danforth and Medical campuses. It comprises 10 schools and offers more than 150 undergraduate, 80 master's and professional, and 50 doctoral degree programs. As of 2024, Washington University enrolled 16,399 students re…
1853
173 years old
$13.4B
$13,384,861,000
2,500
8,164 undergrad · 6,922 grad
4,744
355 acres
Prestige & value signals
Identity
How to Apply to Washington University in St Louis
Official admissions pageJanuary 4
November 1 (Early Decision I) / January 4 (Early Decision II)
$85
Fee waiver available
2 required
Testing policy
Recommendation letters
Essays
Fee waiver
Is Washington University in St Louis Worth It?
Washington University in St Louis is one of the strongest value propositions in higher education. At $21,786/year net price and $86,182 median earnings, graduates earn 4.0× their annual cost within a decade of enrolling.
The investment pays for itself in just 1 year — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
With a 94% graduation rate, the vast majority of students finish their degree and reach these earning outcomes.
Admission is competitive with a 12% acceptance rate, so applicants should have strong academic credentials.
Median student debt of $17,500 is manageable at just 20% of first-year post-graduation earnings.
Bottom line: Washington University in St Louis delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How Washington University in St Louis compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #8 of 21 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Yale University | 100 | $23,777 | $100,533 |
| #2 | University of Chicago | 100 | $14,860 | $91,885 |
| #3 | Johns Hopkins University | 100 | $18,809 | $87,555 |
| #4 | Harvard University | 100 | $19,066 | $101,817 |
| #5 | Columbia University in the City of New York | 100 | $21,590 | $102,491 |
| #6 | Vanderbilt University | 100 | $15,846 | $91,565 |
| #8 | Washington University in St Louis | 93 | $21,786 | $86,182 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Washington University in St Louis's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Washington University in St Louis
The highest-earning program at Washington University in St Louis is Computer Science at $96,200/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Psychology, General at $28,200/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer Science graduate from Washington University in St Louis earns $96,200, while a Psychology, General graduate earns $28,200. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Computer Science graduates carry $13,625 in median debt vs. $18,258 for Psychology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $21,786/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $96,200 | $96,200 | $13,625 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $65,800 | $65,800 | $10,750 |
| Chemical Engineering | $60,800 | $60,800 | $11,694 |
| Psychology, General | $28,200 | $28,200 | $18,258 |
Similar Colleges in MO
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- St. Louis, MO
- Student Body
- 7,857 students
- Admission Rate
- 12%
- Graduation Rate
- 94%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $21,786
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $86,182
- Median Student Debt
- $17,500