WUSTL vs. University of Dayton

Deciding between Washington University in St Louis and University of Dayton? 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.

Washington University in St Louis
University of Dayton

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • WUSTL St. Louis, MO
  • University of Dayton Dayton, OH
  • Setting
  • WUSTL Large Suburban
  • University of Dayton Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • WUSTL 16,357
  • University of Dayton 10,506
  • Type
  • WUSTL Private 4 Year
  • University of Dayton Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • WUSTL #21
  • University of Dayton #204
  • Religious Affiliation
  • WUSTL -
  • University of Dayton Roman Catholic
  • Status
  • WUSTL Non-profit
  • University of Dayton Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • WUSTL
  • University of Dayton

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • WUSTL $65,790
  • University of Dayton $49,140
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • WUSTL $65,790
  • University of Dayton $49,140
  • Room & Board
  • WUSTL $21,854
  • University of Dayton $16,800
  • Average Net Price
  • WUSTL $22,408
  • University of Dayton $32,794
  • Average Grant Aid
  • WUSTL $66,080
  • University of Dayton $33,418
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • WUSTL 49%
  • University of Dayton 95%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • WUSTL 32,754
  • University of Dayton 21,981
  • Admitted
  • WUSTL 3,951
  • University of Dayton 14,386
  • Acceptance Rate
  • WUSTL 12.1%
  • University of Dayton 65.4%
  • Enrolled
  • WUSTL 46.7%
  • University of Dayton 11.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • WUSTL 1540
  • University of Dayton 1290
  • Typical ACT score
  • WUSTL 34
  • University of Dayton 28
  • Average High School GPA
  • WUSTL 3.92
  • University of Dayton 3.77
  • Typical High School Grades
  • WUSTL A
  • University of Dayton A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • WUSTL Elite
  • University of Dayton Very High
  • Applicant Competition
  • WUSTL Very High
  • University of Dayton Low
  • ACT Range
  • WUSTL 33/35
  • University of Dayton 25/31
  • SAT Range
  • WUSTL 1500/1570
  • University of Dayton 1200/1380
  • Submit Test Scores
  • WUSTL Test optional
  • University of Dayton Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • WUSTL Jan 4, 2027
  • University of Dayton Feb 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • WUSTL 7:1
  • University of Dayton 14:1
  • Popular Majors
  • WUSTL
    • Business (17%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Engineering (11%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • University of Dayton
    • Business (28%)
    • Engineering (13%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Health Professions (5%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • WUSTL 93%
  • University of Dayton 74%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • WUSTL $82,800
  • University of Dayton $57,300
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • WUSTL 88%
  • University of Dayton 84%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • WUSTL $19,900
  • University of Dayton $26,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • WUSTL $205
  • University of Dayton $268

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • WUSTL 47%
  • University of Dayton 52%
  • % Women
  • WUSTL 53%
  • University of Dayton 48%
  • Racial Diversity
  • WUSTL High
  • University of Dayton Low
  • HBCU
  • WUSTL No
  • University of Dayton No
  • % White
  • WUSTL 55%
  • University of Dayton 78%
  • % Asian
  • WUSTL 19%
  • University of Dayton 1%
  • % Black
  • WUSTL 6%
  • University of Dayton 3%
  • % Hispanic
  • WUSTL 7%
  • University of Dayton 3%
  • % Native American
  • WUSTL 0%
  • University of Dayton 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • WUSTL 0%
  • University of Dayton 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • WUSTL 4%
  • University of Dayton 2%
  • % International
  • WUSTL 8%
  • University of Dayton 11%
  • % Unknown Race
  • WUSTL 2%
  • University of Dayton 1%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • WUSTL 15%
  • University of Dayton 54%
  • % Out-of-State
  • WUSTL 73%
  • University of Dayton 41%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

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

Washington University in St Louis is larger than University of Dayton based on total student enrollment (16,357 students vs. 10,506 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Washington University in St Louis is located in St. Louis, MO (Large Suburban setting); University of Dayton is in Dayton, OH (Midsize City setting).
  • Washington University in St Louis is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Dayton is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Washington University in St Louis 7:1; University of Dayton 14:1.

WUSTL vs. University of Dayton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WUSTL or University of Dayton? 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 University of Dayton ($22,408 vs. $32,794).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Dayton are 23.1% lower than at Washington University in St Louis ($16,800 vs. $21,854).
  • Washington University in St Louis is 33.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Dayton (about $16,650 more per year; $65,790.00 vs. $49,140.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 33.9% higher at WUSTL than at University of Dayton (about $16,650 more per year; $65,790.00 vs. $49,140.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Dayton than at Washington University in St Louis (95% vs. 49%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Washington University in St Louis students is 97.7% larger than aid received by University of Dayton students ($66,080 vs. $33,418).

WUSTL vs. University of Dayton Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WUSTL or University of Dayton? 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 University of Dayton and WUSTL .

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Washington University in St Louis (1540) is 250 points higher than at University of Dayton (1290).
  • Incoming WUSTL students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 28 at University of Dayton).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Washington University in St Louis 1500/1570; University of Dayton 1200/1380.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Washington University in St Louis 33/35; University of Dayton 25/31.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WUSTL - Test optional; University of Dayton - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WUSTL Jan 4, 2027; University of Dayton Feb 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman WUSTL students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at University of Dayton (3.77).
  • University of Dayton has a higher acceptance rate (65.4%) than WUSTL (12.1%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.7% at WUSTL vs. 11.7% at University of Dayton.

WUSTL vs. University of Dayton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WUSTL and University of Dayton? 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 Dayton's (74%).
  • Graduates from Washington University in St Louis earn a median of about $25,500 more per year than University of Dayton graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,800 vs. $57,300), 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 University of Dayton graduates ($19,900 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, WUSTL graduates have an estimated $63 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Dayton graduates ($205 vs. $268).
  • More WUSTL graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Dayton students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 84%)

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.