Saint Louis University vs. WUSTL

Deciding between Saint Louis University and Washington University in St Louis? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Saint Louis University
Washington University in St Louis

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Saint Louis University Saint Louis, MO
  • WUSTL St. Louis, MO
  • Setting
  • Saint Louis University Large City
  • WUSTL Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Saint Louis University 17,059
  • WUSTL 16,357
  • Type
  • Saint Louis University Private 4 Year
  • WUSTL Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Saint Louis University #166
  • WUSTL #21
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Saint Louis University Roman Catholic
  • WUSTL -
  • Status
  • Saint Louis University Non-profit
  • WUSTL Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Saint Louis University
  • WUSTL
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Saint Louis University $55,760
  • WUSTL $65,790
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Saint Louis University $55,760
  • WUSTL $65,790
  • Room & Board
  • Saint Louis University $15,280
  • WUSTL $21,854
  • Average Net Price
  • Saint Louis University $27,749
  • WUSTL $22,408
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Saint Louis University $44,657
  • WUSTL $66,080
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Saint Louis University 100%
  • WUSTL 49%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Saint Louis University 15,533
  • WUSTL 32,754
  • Admitted
  • Saint Louis University 11,656
  • WUSTL 3,951
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Saint Louis University 75%
  • WUSTL 12.1%
  • Enrolled
  • Saint Louis University 13.9%
  • WUSTL 46.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Saint Louis University 1310
  • WUSTL 1540
  • Typical ACT score
  • Saint Louis University 28
  • WUSTL 34
  • Average High School GPA
  • Saint Louis University 3.95
  • WUSTL 3.92
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Saint Louis University A
  • WUSTL A
  • Admissions Standards
  • Saint Louis University Very High
  • WUSTL Elite
  • Applicant Competition
  • Saint Louis University
  • WUSTL Very High
  • ACT Range
  • Saint Louis University 25/31
  • WUSTL 33/35
  • SAT Range
  • Saint Louis University 1200/1410
  • WUSTL 1500/1570
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Saint Louis University Test optional
  • WUSTL Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Saint Louis University
  • WUSTL Jan 4, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Saint Louis University 9:1
  • WUSTL 7:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Saint Louis University
    • Business (24%)
    • Health Professions (20%)
    • Social Sciences (7%)
    • Biology (6%)
    • Psychology (5%)
  • WUSTL
    • Business (17%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Engineering (11%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Saint Louis University 61%
  • WUSTL 93%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Saint Louis University $61,800
  • WUSTL $82,800
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Saint Louis University 74%
  • WUSTL 88%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Saint Louis University $26,000
  • WUSTL $19,900
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Saint Louis University $268
  • WUSTL $205
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Saint Louis University 44%
  • WUSTL 47%
  • % Women
  • Saint Louis University 56%
  • WUSTL 53%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Saint Louis University Medium
  • WUSTL High
  • HBCU
  • Saint Louis University No
  • WUSTL No
  • % White
  • Saint Louis University 68%
  • WUSTL 55%
  • % Asian
  • Saint Louis University 9%
  • WUSTL 19%
  • % Black
  • Saint Louis University 6%
  • WUSTL 6%
  • % Hispanic
  • Saint Louis University 5%
  • WUSTL 7%
  • % Native American
  • Saint Louis University 0%
  • WUSTL 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Saint Louis University 0%
  • WUSTL 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Saint Louis University 4%
  • WUSTL 4%
  • % International
  • Saint Louis University 6%
  • WUSTL 8%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Saint Louis University 1%
  • WUSTL 2%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Saint Louis University 46%
  • WUSTL 15%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Saint Louis University 47%
  • WUSTL 73%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Saint Louis University Yes
  • WUSTL Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Saint Louis University No
  • WUSTL No
  • Meal Plan
  • Saint Louis University Yes
  • WUSTL Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Saint Louis University Yes
  • WUSTL Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Saint Louis University No
  • WUSTL No

Comparable Facts

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

Saint Louis University is larger than WUSTL based on total student enrollment (17,059 students vs. 16,357 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Saint Louis University vs. WUSTL Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Saint Louis University or WUSTL ? 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 Saint Louis University ($22,408 vs. $27,749).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saint Louis University are 30.1% lower than at Washington University in St Louis ($15,280 vs. $21,854).
  • Washington University in St Louis is 18% more expensive for in-state tuition than Saint Louis University (about $10,030 more per year; $65,790.00 vs. $55,760.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 18% higher at WUSTL than at Saint Louis University (about $10,030 more per year; $65,790.00 vs. $55,760.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saint Louis University than at Washington University in St Louis (100% vs. 49%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Washington University in St Louis students is 48% larger than aid received by Saint Louis University students ($66,080 vs. $44,657).

Saint Louis University vs. WUSTL Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Saint Louis University or WUSTL ? 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 WUSTL and Saint Louis University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Washington University in St Louis (1540) is 230 points higher than at Saint Louis University (1310).
  • Incoming WUSTL students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 28 at Saint Louis University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Louis University 1200/1410; Washington University in St Louis 1500/1570.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Louis University 25/31; Washington University in St Louis 33/35.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Saint Louis University - Test optional; WUSTL - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WUSTL Jan 4, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Saint Louis University students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at WUSTL (3.92).
  • Saint Louis University has a higher acceptance rate (75%) than WUSTL (12.1%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Saint Louis University vs. 46.7% at WUSTL .

Saint Louis University vs. WUSTL Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Saint Louis University and WUSTL ? 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 Saint Louis University's (61%).
  • Graduates from Washington University in St Louis earn a median of about $21,000 more per year than Saint Louis University graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,800 vs. $61,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Washington University in St Louis graduates have a $6,100 lower median loan debt than Saint Louis University graduates ($19,900 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, WUSTL graduates have an estimated $63 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saint Louis University graduates ($205 vs. $268).
  • More WUSTL graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Saint Louis University students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 74%)

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.