University of Missouri-Columbia vs. WUSTL

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Missouri Columbia in Columbia, MO with Washington University in St Louis in St. Louis, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Missouri Columbia is larger than WUSTL based on total student enrollment (31,543 students vs. 16,357 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Missouri Columbia is located in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting); Washington University in St Louis is in St. Louis, MO (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Missouri Columbia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Washington University in St Louis is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Missouri Columbia 17:1; Washington University in St Louis 7:1.

University of Missouri-Columbia vs. WUSTL Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Missouri-Columbia or WUSTL ? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Missouri Columbia than WUSTL ($22,169 vs. $22,408).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Missouri Columbia are 37.3% lower than at Washington University in St Louis ($13,700 vs. $21,854).
• Washington University in St Louis is 343.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Missouri-Columbia (about $50,953 more per year; $65,790.00 vs. $14,837.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 82.5% higher at WUSTL than at University of Missouri Columbia (about $29,734 more per year; $65,790.00 vs. $36,056.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Missouri Columbia than at Washington University in St Louis (95% vs. 49%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Washington University in St Louis students is 400.5% larger than aid received by University of Missouri Columbia students ($66,080 vs. $13,203).

University of Missouri-Columbia vs. WUSTL Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Missouri-Columbia or WUSTL ? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between WUSTL and University of Missouri-Columbia.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Washington University in St Louis (1540) is 300 points higher than at University of Missouri-Columbia (1240).
• Incoming WUSTL students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 26 at University of Missouri-Columbia).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Missouri Columbia 1150/1330; Washington University in St Louis 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Missouri Columbia 23/30; Washington University in St Louis 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Missouri-Columbia - Test optional; WUSTL - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WUSTL Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WUSTL students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at University of Missouri-Columbia (3.61).
• University of Missouri-Columbia has a higher acceptance rate (78.5%) than WUSTL (12.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31% at University of Missouri-Columbia vs. 46.7% at WUSTL .

University of Missouri-Columbia vs. WUSTL Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Missouri-Columbia and WUSTL ? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Washington University in St Louis's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than University of Missouri Columbia's (69%).
• Graduates from Washington University in St Louis earn a median of about $28,600 more per year than University of Missouri-Columbia graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,800 vs. $54,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Washington University in St Louis graduates have a $1,983 lower median loan debt than University of Missouri-Columbia graduates ($19,900 vs. $21,883).
• Among borrowers, WUSTL graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Missouri-Columbia graduates ($205 vs. $226).
• More WUSTL graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Missouri-Columbia students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 73%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.