WUSTL vs. Vanderbilt

Comparable Facts

Compare Washington University in St Louis in St. Louis, MO with Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Washington University in St Louis is larger than Vanderbilt based on total student enrollment (16,357 students vs. 13,575 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Washington University in St Louis is located in St. Louis, MO (Large Suburban setting); Vanderbilt University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
• Washington University in St Louis is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Vanderbilt University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Washington University in St Louis 7:1; Vanderbilt University 8:1.

WUSTL vs. Vanderbilt Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WUSTL or Vanderbilt? 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 Vanderbilt ($22,408 vs. $25,186).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Washington University in St Louis are 0.9% lower than at Vanderbilt University ($21,854 vs. $22,054).
• Vanderbilt University is 2.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than WUSTL (about $1,708 more per year; $67,498.00 vs. $65,790.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.6% higher at Vanderbilt than at Washington University in St Louis (about $1,708 more per year; $67,498.00 vs. $65,790.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vanderbilt University than at Washington University in St Louis (67% vs. 49%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Washington University in St Louis students is 2.6% larger than aid received by Vanderbilt University students ($66,080 vs. $64,404).

WUSTL vs. Vanderbilt Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Washington University in St Louis (1540) is the same as at Vanderbilt (1540).
• Incoming WUSTL students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Vanderbilt (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Washington University in St Louis 1500/1570; Vanderbilt University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Washington University in St Louis 33/35; Vanderbilt University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WUSTL - Test optional; Vanderbilt - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WUSTL Jan 4, 2027; Vanderbilt Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WUSTL students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at Vanderbilt (3.89).
• WUSTL has a higher acceptance rate (12.1%) than Vanderbilt (5.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.7% at WUSTL vs. 61.2% at Vanderbilt.

WUSTL vs. Vanderbilt Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WUSTL and Vanderbilt? 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 Vanderbilt University's (92%).
• Graduates from Vanderbilt University earn a median of about $300 more per year than WUSTL graduates about ten years after starting college ($83,100 vs. $82,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Vanderbilt University graduates have a $5,900 lower median loan debt than WUSTL graduates ($14,000 vs. $19,900).
• Among borrowers, Vanderbilt graduates have an estimated $61 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WUSTL graduates ($144 vs. $205).
• More WUSTL graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Vanderbilt students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 83%)

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.