Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
St. Louis, Missouri
12% Acceptance Rate
Washington University in St Louis — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
12%Acceptance Rate
3.92Avg GPA
1530Avg SAT
34Avg ACT
$83,476Annual Cost
$86,182Grad Salary
15.9%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
12%
Avg GPA
3.92
Avg SAT
1530
Avg ACT
34
Selectivity
Extremely Competitive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1500–1570
ACT Middle 50%
33–35
Need-Based Aid
15.9% receive Pell
Washington University in St. Louis (WashU), founded in 1853, is a leading private research university. Known for its medical school and Olin Business School, WashU emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration. The university's Danforth Campus features Collegiate Gothic architecture and cutting-edge labs. WashU's research spans from medicine to social policy at the Brown School.
WashU's need-blind admissions and generous aid ensure a socioeconomically diverse student body. Alumni include Nobel laureates and CEOs. The university's St. Louis location offers partnerships with Fortune 500 companies. WashU's blend of Midwestern warmth and academic prestige creates a supportive yet ambitious community.
Washington University in St Louis Acceptance Rate
Getting into Washington University in St Louis is a genuine long shot for most applicants. The acceptance rate is 12%, meaning admission is reserved for a small fraction of an already strong applicant pool.
What WashU Admissions Looks For
- A Defined Strength: Leadership, original research, or a national-level achievement carries more weight than a long activity list.
- Essay Distinctiveness: Reviewers read thousands of similar transcripts. The essays are where genuinely different applicants stand out.
- Class Rank: Admitted students typically finish in the top 2–5% of their graduating class.
Selectivity at a Glance
Extremely Competitive
Selectivity scale: Extremely Competitive — 12% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
At this tier, meeting the average GPA and test scores is the baseline, not the differentiator. Your essays and recommendations are what separate you from the rest of an already-strong pool.
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.92 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.72 – 3.91
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.47
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Washington University in St Louis Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for Washington University in St Louis is November 2 for Early Decision I applicants, with additional plans listed below. Admission decisions are typically released by December 11.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 85 days left — Early Decision I
Early Decision I
November 2
Decision by: December 11
Early Action
November 2
Decision by: December 23
Early Decision II
January 4
Decision by: February 12
Regular Decision
January 4
Decision by: April 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (2026/12/16 (Undergraduate Admissions)) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
WashU GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at WashU is 3.92. That makes admissions here extremely selective. Most admitted students carry straight A's, with very little room for a B.
If your GPA sits between 3.62 and 3.92, a high SAT or ACT score is the most reliable way to compensate.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently. For an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 4.12–4.32.WashU GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Extreme selectivity; requires elite academic standing.
Recommended Strategy: High Course Rigor (AP/IB/Honors) to validate the grade.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.92 – 4.00
Academic Target
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.72 – 3.91
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.52 – 3.71
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.51
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Applicants choose one of four undergraduate divisions at the point of application: Arts & Sciences, Olin Business School, McKelvey School of Engineering, or Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts (portfolio required for Sam Fox).
- One required essay (up to 250 words per WashU's own instructions, though some third-party guides cite 200 - verify current word count on the live application) plus one strongly recommended optional essay (250 words, choice of two prompts).
- Acceptance rate was approximately 11-12% for the Class of 2029; Early Decision I deadline November 1, Early Decision II and Regular Decision both January 4.
- Signature Scholar Programs (Danforth, Ervin, Rodriguez) require additional dedicated essays tied to specific named institutional legacies and are open to applicants across all four undergraduate divisions.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at WashU
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Washington University in St Louis's verified institutional data
--%
Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Washington University in St Louis (WashU) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if WashU is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into WashU Without SAT or ACT?
WashU considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Washington University in St Louis Average SAT Score: 1530
The average SAT score of admitted students at Washington University in St Louis is 1530 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1530 — Extremely Competitive
This places WashU in the top tier nationally for SAT scores. It sits well above the 75th percentile of all US test-takers.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1570 SAT or 35 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Washington University in St Louis allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1500, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at WashU. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 785 | 770 | 800 |
| SAT Reading | 750 | 730 | 770 |
| SAT Composite | 1530 | 1500 | 1570 |
Below 1500, you're behind most admitted students; at 1570 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1550
Can I get into Washington University in St Louis (WashU) with a 1550 SAT?
A 1550 SAT puts you ahead of most of WashU's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Washington University in St Louis (WashU) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at WashU is 34.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 34 — Extremely Competitive
An average of 34 places WashU among the most ACT-competitive schools nationally.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 33 | 31 | 35 |
| ACT English | 35 | 34 | 35 |
| ACT Composite | 34 | 33 | 35 |
Can I get into Washington University in St Louis with a 35 ACT?
A 35 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of WashU's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section, especially Science at STEM-focused schools, stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at WashU.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for WashU
Elite Strategy: The 'Spike' Approach
At this tier, the applicants who get in usually have one thing in common: a clear, specific reason WashU needed them, not just a strong transcript.
Match the required "Why Major" essay to the specific undergraduate division, not the university broadly
WashU applicants apply directly to one of four undergraduate divisions - Arts & Sciences, Olin Business School, McKelvey School of Engineering, or Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts - and the required essay (up to 250 words per WashU's own published instructions) explicitly asks what a student wants to study and why, including guidance for undeclared students to focus on their chosen division's offerings. Push students to research division-specific resources (a named lab, a specific Olin concentration, a Sam Fox studio) rather than writing generically about "WashU" as a whole.
Treat the "optional" community essay as functionally required in a sub-12% pool
WashU's second essay (250 words, choice between an "In St. Louis, For St. Louis" community-impact prompt or a "By Name & Story" life-experience prompt) is officially optional, but WashU itself states skipping it can signal lower genuine interest. With acceptance rates near 11-12% for recent classes, counselors should treat this as a required component for any serious applicant rather than genuinely optional.
Flag Signature Scholar Program essays early for eligible applicants
Students applying to the Danforth, Ervin, or Rodriguez Scholars Programs face additional required essays tied to specific institutional legacies - for example, the Ervin Scholars prompt is explicitly grounded in Dr. John B. Ervin, WashU's first African American dean, and asks for concrete examples of social-justice commitment in marginalized communities. These aren't generic diversity prompts; they require genuine engagement with the named program's specific history and mission, so build in extra drafting time well before the relevant deadline.
For Sam Fox School applicants, build portfolio time into the calendar from the start
Unlike the other three divisions, Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts applicants must also submit a portfolio, which requires substantially more lead time than the written supplement alone. Treat Sam Fox as a fundamentally different application track timeline-wise, not just an additional essay on top of the standard WashU application.
Expert Insight:
A frequent and costly mistake: students treat WashU's "optional" second essay as truly skippable because of the label, when the university's own acceptance-rate trajectory (under 12% and tightening) and explicit guidance both indicate skipping it actively weakens a file. Encourage every serious applicant to complete it.
WashU Profile
Full Name
Washington University in St Louis (WashU)
City
St. Louis
State
Missouri
ZIP Code
63130
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a WashU Degree Worth It?
WashU offers a rigorous academic environment, but 'worth it' is a personal calculation of cost, program fit, and outcomes. The figures below are a starting point.
The average household income among admitted students is $79,300, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.04%.
How much does a degree from WashU Cost?
The sticker price is $83,476/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
15.9% of students receive a Pell Grant and 14.3% take federal loans at WashU. File your FAFSA early and list WashU as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a WashU Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $86,182. That's about 112% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Washington University in St Louis. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claremont McKenna College | Claremont, CA | 1514 | 34 |
| Pomona College | Claremont, CA | 1520 | 34 |
| Scripps College | Claremont, CA | 1480 | 33 |
| University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA | 1501 | 34 |
| Wesleyan University | Middletown, CT | 1513 | 34 |
| Georgetown University | Washington, DC | 1494 | 33 |
| Emory University | Atlanta, GA | 1507 | 33 |
| University of Notre Dame | Notre Dame, IN | 1510 | 34 |
| Grinnell College | Grinnell, IA | 1486 | 33 |
| Bowdoin College | Brunswick, ME | 1514 | 34 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Washington University in St Louis. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvey Mudd College | Claremont, CA | 1537 | 35 |
| Pomona College | Claremont, CA | 1520 | 34 |
| Yale University | New Haven, CT | 1534 | 34 |
| Northwestern University | Evanston, IL | 1526 | 34 |
| Williams College | Williamstown, MA | 1527 | 34 |
Degree Programs at WashU
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About WashU Admissions
Washington University in St Louis graduates typically earn around $86,182 a year, on the higher end depending on industry.
At about $83,476 a year, Washington University in St Louis's cost is on the higher end; look closely at aid options.
Washington University in St Louis's Pell Grant rate of 15.9% sits below the national average. Merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
Washington University in St Louis admits 12% of applicants, placing it firmly in the highly competitive range.
Admitted students at Washington University in St Louis average a 3.92 GPA.
Washington University in St Louis doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.62 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.52, Washington University in St Louis becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at Washington University in St Louis — aim above 1530, ideally within the 1500–1570 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Washington University in St Louis is November 2 for Early Decision I applicants. Admission decisions are released by December 11.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is 2026/12/16 (Undergraduate Admissions). Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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