Washington University in St. Louis
Washington University in St. Louis is a private research university known for its top-ranked medical and pre-health programs, its highly regarded Olin Business School, and a strong arts and sciences core in the leafy suburb of Clayton just west of downtown St. Louis. Admission is highly selective: WashU admitted about 12% of nearly 33,000 applicants for its most recent class, and enrolled first-years posted middle-50% SAT scores of 1500–1570 and an average high school GPA near 4.19. Engineering, computer science, the biological and social sciences, and business are the most-conferred fields. WashU is test-optional, runs binding Early Decision I and II rounds, and meets 100% of demonstrated financial need with a no-loan aid policy.
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WashU admissions statistics
Acceptance Rate
Total applicants, admitted students, and enrolled students for the most recent admission cycle.
Early Decision
WashU offers binding Early Decision. Applying early can meaningfully change your odds — but ED commits you to enroll if admitted.
Admit rate by application plan
% admitted~2.6× higher admit rate applying early.
Standardized Tests
WashU is currently test-optional — you may apply without submitting scores.
SAT Accepted?
ACT Accepted?
Test Optional?
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Class Rank
Where WashU's enrolled first-years placed in their high school graduating class.
Based on the 28% of enrolled students who reported a class rank. WashU does not publish an average GPA.
Admissions Factors
How WashU weighs each part of your application.
Rigor of High School Record
Academic GPA
Standardized Test Scores
Application Essay
Recommendations
Extracurricular Activities
Character / Personal Qualities
Talent / Ability
First Generation
Level of Applicant's Interest
Class Rank
Volunteer Work
Work Experience
Geographical Residence
State Residency
Alumni Relation
Racial / Ethnic Status
Religious Affiliation
Cost of Attendance
Estimated full-time annual cost from WashU's Common Data Set.
Private universities charge the same tuition regardless of state residency.
Financial Aid
Need-based aid statistics for full-time first-year students.
Major Distribution
Bachelor's degrees awarded in the past year by academic major.
Student Diversity
Racial and ethnic breakdown of enrolled undergraduate students.
Student-Faculty Ratio
The number of students for every one faculty member, indicating the average level of access students have to instructional staff.
Campus Life
On-campus housing and Greek life participation rates.
Enrollment by Gender
Since some students did not report gender, totals may not fully reflect the student body.
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Frequently asked questions about WashU admissions
Is it hard to get into WashU?＋
Yes, WashU is highly selective. Washington University in St. Louis admitted about 12.1% of applicants in the most recent cycle, offering admission to roughly 3,951 of nearly 33,000 applicants and enrolling about 1,847 first-year students. Strong grades and course rigor are essential, with academic GPA, class rank, and the rigor of your high school record all weighed as very important factors.
Does applying Early Decision improve your chances at WashU?＋
Yes. WashU offers binding Early Decision I and II rounds, and the early admit rate runs well above the overall rate: about 1,217 of 4,817 ED applicants were admitted, roughly 25%, versus the 12.1% overall acceptance rate. ED is a binding commitment, so apply early only if WashU is your clear first choice. WashU does not offer a non-binding Early Action option.
What GPA do you need to get into WashU?＋
Enrolled first-year students at WashU report an average high school GPA of about 4.19. Among those who submitted a class rank, roughly 86% were in the top tenth of their graduating class. There is no hard cutoff, but academic GPA, class rank, and the rigor of your course load are all weighed as very important admission factors.
Is a 1500 SAT good enough for WashU?＋
A 1500 sits right at the bottom of WashU's middle-50% range, so it is competitive but on the lower end for those who submit. Enrolled first-years scored between 1500 and 1570 on the SAT and 33 to 35 on the ACT in the middle 50%. About 98% of submitted SAT scores fell in the 1400-1600 band, so a 1500 is a reasonable score to send if testing is a strength in your application.
Is WashU test-optional, and should I submit my scores?＋
Yes, WashU is test-optional, so you may apply without SAT or ACT scores. Among enrolled students who did submit, roughly 29% sent the SAT and 28% sent the ACT, with middle-50% ranges of 1500-1570 (SAT) and 33-35 (ACT). If your scores land in or above those ranges they can strengthen your file; if they fall below, applying without them is a legitimate path since standardized tests are one factor in a holistic review.
How important is the supplemental essay at WashU?＋
Very important. WashU rates the application essay as a very important factor in its holistic review, alongside GPA, course rigor, test scores, recommendations, and character. With an acceptance rate around 12.1%, a specific, well-revised essay is one of the clearest places a strong applicant can stand out, since it is weighed as heavily as your academic record.
How much does WashU cost, and is financial aid available?＋
Tuition and required fees run about $69,594 per year, with the total cost of attendance higher once housing and food (about $23,338 on campus) are added. WashU meets 100% of demonstrated financial need with a no-loan policy: about 48% of first-years receive need-based scholarship or grant aid, with an average aid package near $77,091.
What are the most popular majors at WashU?＋
Engineering is the single largest area at about 15% of bachelor's degrees, followed by computer science, the biological sciences, and the social sciences at roughly 12% each, and business at 11%. Psychology rounds out the most-conferred fields. WashU is a private research university with a 7-to-1 student-faculty ratio and a 95% first-year retention rate.
Source: Washington University in St. Louis Common Data Set 2024-2025. Figures transcribed 2026-06-07. Esslo aggregates publicly reported data and is not affiliated with WashU. Banner photo by Doc2129, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).