WUSTL vs. U of R

Comparable Facts

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

Washington University in St Louis is larger than U of R based on total student enrollment (16,357 students vs. 11,946 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Washington University in St Louis is located in St. Louis, MO (Large Suburban setting); University of Rochester is in Rochester, NY (Midsize City setting).
• Washington University in St Louis is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Rochester is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Washington University in St Louis 7:1; University of Rochester 9:1.

WUSTL vs. U of R Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WUSTL or U of R? 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 U of R ($22,408 vs. $40,462).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Rochester are 9.4% lower than at Washington University in St Louis ($19,792 vs. $21,854).
• University of Rochester is 2% more expensive for in-state tuition than WUSTL (about $1,290 more per year; $67,080.00 vs. $65,790.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2% higher at U of R than at Washington University in St Louis (about $1,290 more per year; $67,080.00 vs. $65,790.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Rochester than at Washington University in St Louis (72% vs. 49%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Washington University in St Louis students is 45.2% larger than aid received by University of Rochester students ($66,080 vs. $45,500).

WUSTL vs. U of R Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WUSTL or U of R? 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 U of R and WUSTL .

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Washington University in St Louis (1540) is 60 points higher than at U of R (1480).
• Incoming WUSTL students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at U of R).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Washington University in St Louis 1500/1570; University of Rochester 1410/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Washington University in St Louis 33/35; University of Rochester 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WUSTL - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); U of R - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: WUSTL Jan 4, 2027; U of R Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WUSTL students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at U of R (3.75).
• U of R has a higher acceptance rate (40.1%) than WUSTL (12.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.7% at WUSTL vs. 15.4% at U of R.

WUSTL vs. U of R Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WUSTL and U of R? 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 Rochester's (83%).
• Graduates from Washington University in St Louis earn a median of about $11,800 more per year than U of R graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,800 vs. $71,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Washington University in St Louis graduates have a $4,600 lower median loan debt than U of R graduates ($19,900 vs. $24,500).
• Among borrowers, WUSTL graduates have an estimated $48 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than U of R graduates ($205 vs. $253).
• More WUSTL graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former U of R students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 79%)

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.