Tulane vs. WUSTL

Comparable Facts

Compare Tulane University of Louisiana in New Orleans, LA with Washington University in St Louis in St. Louis, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Washington University in St Louis is larger than Tulane based on total student enrollment (16,357 students vs. 13,310 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Tulane University of Louisiana is located in New Orleans, LA (Large City setting); Washington University in St Louis is in St. Louis, MO (Large Suburban setting).
• Tulane University of Louisiana 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: Tulane University of Louisiana 7:1; Washington University in St Louis 7:1.

Tulane vs. WUSTL Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Tulane 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 Tulane ($22,408 vs. $47,427).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tulane University of Louisiana are 13.7% lower than at Washington University in St Louis ($18,868 vs. $21,854).
• Tulane University of Louisiana is 4.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than WUSTL (about $2,888 more per year; $68,678.00 vs. $65,790.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.4% higher at Tulane than at Washington University in St Louis (about $2,888 more per year; $68,678.00 vs. $65,790.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Tulane University of Louisiana than at Washington University in St Louis (60% vs. 49%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Washington University in St Louis students is 66.6% larger than aid received by Tulane University of Louisiana students ($66,080 vs. $39,654).

Tulane vs. WUSTL Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Tulane 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 Tulane.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Washington University in St Louis (1540) is 80 points higher than at Tulane (1460).
• Incoming WUSTL students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Tulane).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Tulane University of Louisiana 1400/1520; Washington University in St Louis 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Tulane University of Louisiana 31/34; Washington University in St Louis 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Tulane - Test optional; WUSTL - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Tulane Jan 15, 2027; WUSTL Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WUSTL students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at Tulane (3.64).
• Tulane has a higher acceptance rate (14%) than WUSTL (12.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 40.3% at Tulane vs. 46.7% at WUSTL .

Tulane vs. WUSTL Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Tulane 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).

• Graduates from Washington University in St Louis earn a median of about $8,600 more per year than Tulane graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,800 vs. $74,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Washington University in St Louis graduates have a $7,629 lower median loan debt than Tulane graduates ($19,900 vs. $27,529).
• Among borrowers, WUSTL graduates have an estimated $79 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tulane graduates ($205 vs. $284).
• More WUSTL graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tulane students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 62%)

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.