UChicago vs. WUSTL

Comparable Facts

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

University of Chicago is larger than WUSTL based on total student enrollment (18,566 students vs. 16,357 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Washington University in St Louis is in St. Louis, MO (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Chicago 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: University of Chicago 5:1; Washington University in St Louis 7:1.

UChicago vs. WUSTL Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UChicago 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 UChicago ($22,408 vs. $28,060).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Chicago are 8% lower than at Washington University in St Louis ($20,109 vs. $21,854).
• University of Chicago is 7.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than WUSTL (about $4,872 more per year; $70,662.00 vs. $65,790.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.4% higher at UChicago than at Washington University in St Louis (about $4,872 more per year; $70,662.00 vs. $65,790.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Washington University in St Louis than at University of Chicago (49% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Washington University in St Louis students is 6.1% larger than aid received by University of Chicago students ($66,080 vs. $62,300).

UChicago vs. WUSTL Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UChicago 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 UChicago.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Chicago (1550) is 10 points higher than at WUSTL (1540).
• Incoming UChicago students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at WUSTL (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Chicago 1510/1580; Washington University in St Louis 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Chicago 34/35; Washington University in St Louis 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UChicago - Test optional; WUSTL - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WUSTL Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UChicago students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at WUSTL (3.92).
• WUSTL has a higher acceptance rate (12.1%) than UChicago (4.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 88.3% at UChicago vs. 46.7% at WUSTL .

UChicago vs. WUSTL Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UChicago 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 University of Chicago's (92%).
• Graduates from University of Chicago earn a median of about $15,700 more per year than WUSTL graduates about ten years after starting college ($98,500 vs. $82,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Chicago graduates have a $5,400 lower median loan debt than WUSTL graduates ($14,500 vs. $19,900).
• Among borrowers, UChicago graduates have an estimated $56 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WUSTL graduates ($149 vs. $205).
• More WUSTL graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UChicago students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 86%)

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.