Washington University in St Louis
St. Louis, Missouri · Private Nonprofit · 12.1% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 96/100 · Exceptional Value
Washington University in St. Louis scores 96 (Exceptional Value) on the CampusROI scale, one of the highest scores on the site. The headline numbers: $63,400 median 6-year earnings, a 4.4-year payback period, a 94.3% completion rate, a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.276 (with $17,500 median debt), and a 91.2% repayment rate. The sticker tuition of $65,790 is partially offset by an average net price of $21,786 and exceptional income-band pricing at the bottom end: families earning under $30,000 pay $1,716 per year; families earning $30,001-$48,000 pay $1,928. These are the lowest net prices in this entire batch for low-income students. Computer Science leads at 181 graduates, $110,302 year-one, $177,066 four-year, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.141 (ROI grade A). Finance (150 graduates, $102,814 year-one, $185,551 four-year, ROI grade A) is close behind. Marketing (72 graduates, $70,819 year-one, $100,489 four-year, ROI grade A), Economics (118 graduates, $66,325 year-one, $102,439 four-year, ROI grade A), and Mechanical Engineering (103 graduates, $72,057 year-one, ROI grade B+) add depth. WashU's Exceptional Value designation at ROI 96 reflects the combination of elite-level earnings, very low median debt, high completion, and a financial aid model that makes the institution genuinely accessible to low-income students who gain admission.
The median graduate earns $86,182 ten years after entry - well above the national median of roughly $55,000 for 4-year college graduates.
Washington University in St Louis
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $65,790/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $65,790/yr |
| Average net price | $21,786/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $87,144 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $86,182 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $63,400 |
| Median debt at graduation | $17,500 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $186 |
| Estimated payback period | 4.4 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 94.3% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 7,857 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Washington University in St Louis is $65,790/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $21,786/year, or roughly $87,144 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $1,716/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $42,170/year. The school provides substantial aid to low-income students, making it significantly more affordable than the sticker price suggests.
The median graduate leaves with $17,500 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $186 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $86,182 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.28 - well within manageable territory.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $1,716 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $1,928 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $5,578 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $12,603 |
| $110,001+ | $42,170 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Students in the 0-30000 income bracket pay $1,716 per year at WashU -- $6,864 for four years. The 30001-48000 bracket pays $1,928 per year -- $7,712 for four years. These are transformational numbers: low-income students admitted to WashU face essentially zero cost for the credential. Against $63,400 median 6-year earnings and a 4.4-year payback period from the institutional average (much shorter for low-income students at near-zero cost), WashU offers perhaps the best financial proposition in the country for academically qualified low-income students who can gain admission.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $5,578 per year; the 75001-110000 bracket pays $12,603. Even at upper-middle income, WashU remains very affordable relative to its earnings profile. The 4.4-year payback period from median earnings applies at net costs of $5,578-$12,603 per year -- the financial case is compelling across the entire middle-income range.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
The 110001-plus bracket pays $42,170 per year -- $168,680 all-in at four years. For full-pay families, the financial case is still strong for students targeting CS, finance, or engineering. At $110k year-one earnings (CS), the payback against $168k is under two years. Even at the $63,400 institutional median, the 4.4-year payback holds. WashU full-pay is expensive but competitive with peer institutions; the credential and earnings premium justify the cost.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Washington University in St Louis with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $177,066 | A |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | $75,261 | B |
| Finance and Financial Management | $185,551 | A |
| Economics | $102,439 | A |
| Mechanical Engineering | $95,965 | B+ |
| Anthropology | $71,018 | B |
| Biology | $68,359 | C+ |
| International Relations | $90,778 | A |
| Marketing | $100,489 | A |
| Design and Applied Arts | $67,771 | C |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Computer Science
Computer Science is WashU's leading program by both earnings and graduate volume: 181 graduates, $110,302 year-one, $177,066 four-year, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.141 (ROI grade A). A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.141 means the median CS graduate owes less than 15% of their annual salary in student loans from day one of employment. The $177k four-year figure reflects placement into high-paying technology and finance roles in New York, San Francisco, and Chicago. WashU CS is one of the most efficient pathways to high earnings at any private institution.
Finance and Financial Management
Finance produces 150 graduates with $102,814 year-one and $185,551 four-year -- the highest four-year figure in the WashU data. Debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.187 (ROI grade A). WashU finance graduates flow into investment banking, asset management, and corporate finance in St. Louis, Chicago, and New York. The $185k four-year figure reflects the compensation trajectory of finance professionals at bulge-bracket and middle-market banks. Median debt of $19,250 is low against these earnings.
Economics
Economics has 118 graduates with $66,325 year-one and $102,439 four-year, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.213 (ROI grade A). The A-grade ROI reflects both strong earnings and very low debt ($14,110 median -- the lowest in the program data). WashU economics graduates pursue consulting, finance, law, and policy pathways. The four-year trajectory to $102k confirms that economics from a top-15 research university opens doors to high-compensation career paths regardless of specific post-graduation role.
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering (103 graduates) earns $72,057 year-one and $95,965 four-year, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.264 (ROI grade B+). This is a strong outcome for ME at any institution. WashU's engineering graduates access the aerospace, defense, biomedical, and manufacturing sectors. The $96k four-year figure reflects the salary progression of engineering careers with a WashU credential in competitive hiring markets.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 89.6% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 91.2% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 90.8% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 91.2% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 12.1% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 770-800 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 730-770 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 33-35 |
| Enrollment | 7,857 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 17.8% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $16,945 |
At 12.1%, WashU is among the most selective research universities in the country. SAT mid-ranges of 770-800 Math and 730-770 Reading describe the middle half -- a significant share of admits exceeds the 800 Math ceiling. ACT 33-35 composite is similarly restrictive. WashU's financial aid model should not disqualify students from low-income households from applying: $1,716 and $1,928 average net prices for the two lowest income brackets are extraordinary. Students who meet the academic bar should apply regardless of financial circumstance.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
WashU's Scorecard peers include Carnegie Mellon University (ROI 97), University of Notre Dame (ROI 97), Georgetown University (ROI 93), Avila University, and Mission University. The two meaningful peer comparisons are Carnegie Mellon (ROI 97) and Notre Dame (ROI 97), both one point above WashU (ROI 96). CMU leads on earnings premium and payback period, driven by its CS-heavy enrollment. Notre Dame has stronger completion and repayment rates. WashU stands apart on low-income affordability -- the $1,716 net price for families under $30,000 is the most generous in the peer set. At the 96-97 ROI tier, the differences between these institutions are narrow; the choice should be driven by program preference and cultural fit rather than financial differentiation.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington University in St Louis (this school) | 96 | $21,786 | $86,182 |
| University of Notre Dame | 97 | $26,780 | $99,980 |
| Carnegie Mellon University | 97 | $31,944 | $114,862 |
| Georgetown University | 93 | $40,815 | $103,494 |
| Avila University | 51 | $16,053 | $52,773 |
| Mission University | 15 | $21,383 | $38,641 |
Who Thrives Here
Washington University in St. Louis admits 12.1% of applicants and enrolls 7,857 undergraduates in St. Louis, Missouri. SAT mid-ranges are 770-800 Math and 730-770 Reading; ACT composite 33-35. These are among the highest test score ranges of any institution in this batch, comparable to Yale and MIT. The Pell grant rate of 17.8% is lower than the institutional aid generosity would suggest -- a reflection of low-income students' access limitations at highly selective institutions despite strong aid offers. Students with exceptional academic preparation, demonstrated achievement, and career interest in finance, technology, business, or engineering will find WashU a compelling option, particularly given the low net prices available to families under $48,000.
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
Washington University in St Louis is one of the strongest financial investments in higher education. With a total 4-year net cost of $87,144 and median graduate earnings of $86,182 ten years out, the math works decisively in graduates' favor. The estimated payback period of 4.4 years is well below average.
The data highlights several strengths: strong earnings premium over high school graduates, a 94.3% graduation rate, manageable debt relative to earnings, high loan repayment success.
Median debt of $17,500 is very manageable against $86,182 in annual earnings - well within the financial advisor rule of thumb that total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.