WUSTL vs. Columbia

Comparable Facts

Compare Washington University in St Louis in St. Louis, MO with Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia University in the City of New York is larger than WUSTL based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 16,357 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Washington University in St Louis is located in St. Louis, MO (Large Suburban setting); Columbia University in the City of New York is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
• Washington University in St Louis is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Washington University in St Louis 7:1; Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1.

WUSTL vs. Columbia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WUSTL or Columbia? 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 Columbia ($22,408 vs. $22,520).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia University in the City of New York are 19.6% lower than at Washington University in St Louis ($17,580 vs. $21,854).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 9.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than WUSTL (about $6,055 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $65,790.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.2% higher at Columbia than at Washington University in St Louis (about $6,055 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $65,790.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia University in the City of New York than at Washington University in St Louis (52% vs. 49%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 1.4% larger than aid received by Washington University in St Louis students ($67,010 vs. $66,080).

WUSTL vs. Columbia Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WUSTL or Columbia? 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 Columbia and WUSTL .

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 10 points higher than at WUSTL (1540).
• Incoming WUSTL students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Columbia (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Washington University in St Louis 1500/1570; Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Washington University in St Louis 33/35; Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WUSTL - Test optional; Columbia - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WUSTL Jan 4, 2027; Columbia Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WUSTL students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at Columbia (3.91).
• WUSTL has a higher acceptance rate (12.1%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.7% at WUSTL vs. 64.9% at Columbia.

WUSTL vs. Columbia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WUSTL and Columbia? 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).

• The graduation rate at WUSTL is the same as at Columbia University in the City of New York (93% vs. 93%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $24,800 more per year than WUSTL graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $82,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Washington University in St Louis graduates have a $1,600 lower median loan debt than Columbia graduates ($19,900 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, WUSTL graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia graduates ($205 vs. $222).
• More WUSTL graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 76%)

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.