WUSTL vs. UC

Comparable Facts

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

University of Cincinnati Main Campus is larger than WUSTL based on total student enrollment (45,026 students vs. 16,357 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Washington University in St Louis is located in St. Louis, MO (Large Suburban setting); University of Cincinnati Main Campus is in Cincinnati, OH (Large City setting).
• Washington University in St Louis is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Washington University in St Louis 7:1; University of Cincinnati Main Campus 19:1.

WUSTL vs. UC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WUSTL or UC? 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 Washington University in St Louis than UC ($22,408 vs. $24,696).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Cincinnati Main Campus are 37.9% lower than at Washington University in St Louis ($13,564 vs. $21,854).
• Washington University in St Louis is 370.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC (about $51,814 more per year; $65,790.00 vs. $13,976.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 124.5% higher at WUSTL than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (about $36,480 more per year; $65,790.00 vs. $29,310.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Cincinnati Main Campus than at Washington University in St Louis (73% vs. 49%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Washington University in St Louis students is 706.2% larger than aid received by University of Cincinnati Main Campus students ($66,080 vs. $8,196).

WUSTL vs. UC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WUSTL or UC? 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 UC and WUSTL .

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Washington University in St Louis (1540) is 270 points higher than at UC (1270).
• Incoming WUSTL students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 26 at UC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Washington University in St Louis 1500/1570; University of Cincinnati Main Campus 1160/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Washington University in St Louis 33/35; University of Cincinnati Main Campus 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WUSTL - Test optional; UC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WUSTL Jan 4, 2027; UC Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WUSTL students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at UC (3.69).
• UC has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than WUSTL (12.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.7% at WUSTL vs. 22.5% at UC.

WUSTL vs. UC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WUSTL and UC? 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 Cincinnati Main Campus's (59%).
• Graduates from Washington University in St Louis earn a median of about $37,200 more per year than UC graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,800 vs. $45,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Washington University in St Louis graduates have a $3,100 lower median loan debt than UC graduates ($19,900 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, WUSTL graduates have an estimated $32 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC graduates ($205 vs. $237).
• More WUSTL graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 57%)

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.