WUSTL vs. Wisconsin

Comparable Facts

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

University of Wisconsin Madison is larger than WUSTL based on total student enrollment (51,044 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); University of Wisconsin Madison is in Madison, WI (Midsize City setting).
• Washington University in St Louis is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Madison is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Washington University in St Louis 7:1; University of Wisconsin Madison 18:1.

WUSTL vs. Wisconsin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WUSTL or Wisconsin? 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 University of Wisconsin Madison than WUSTL ($14,235 vs. $22,408).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Madison are 35.4% lower than at Washington University in St Louis ($14,124 vs. $21,854).
• Washington University in St Louis is 467% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wisconsin (about $54,187 more per year; $65,790.00 vs. $11,603.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 56.3% higher at WUSTL than at University of Wisconsin Madison (about $23,687 more per year; $65,790.00 vs. $42,103.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Washington University in St Louis than at University of Wisconsin Madison (49% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Washington University in St Louis students is 272.5% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Madison students ($66,080 vs. $17,741).

WUSTL vs. Wisconsin Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Washington University in St Louis (1540) is 90 points higher than at Wisconsin (1450).
• Incoming WUSTL students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 31 at Wisconsin).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Washington University in St Louis 1500/1570; University of Wisconsin Madison 1380/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Washington University in St Louis 33/35; University of Wisconsin Madison 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WUSTL - Test optional; Wisconsin - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WUSTL Jan 4, 2027; Wisconsin Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WUSTL students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at Wisconsin (3.88).
• Wisconsin has a higher acceptance rate (45.2%) than WUSTL (12.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.7% at WUSTL vs. 28.6% at Wisconsin.

WUSTL vs. Wisconsin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WUSTL and Wisconsin? 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 Wisconsin Madison's (82%).
• Graduates from Washington University in St Louis earn a median of about $18,000 more per year than Wisconsin graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,800 vs. $64,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Washington University in St Louis graduates have a $2,350 lower median loan debt than Wisconsin graduates ($19,900 vs. $22,250).
• Among borrowers, WUSTL graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wisconsin graduates ($205 vs. $230).
• More WUSTL graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wisconsin 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.