WUSTL Admission Requirements

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  • 4 Year
  • St. Louis, MO
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WUSTL Admission Overview

WUSTL admission requirements are very highly competitive, with one of the lowest admission rates in Missouri. Last year WUSTL admitted 12.1% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen who sent tests typically scored SAT 1500-1570 / ACT 33-35. WUSTL is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

WUSTL Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

12.1%

Admission Standards

Elite

Applicant Competition

Very High

Very Low
Low
Average
High
Very High
Extreme

Admission difficulty for Washington University in St Louis

Acceptance Rate

The WUSTL acceptance rate is 12.1%. Last year, only 3,951 of 32,754 applicants were admitted. That is the 2nd lowest acceptance rate in Missouri and the 41st lowest in the nation.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into WUSTL and can you get accepted?

WUSTL is a very highly competitive school to get into, admitting fewer than one in four applicants. You have a low chance of acceptance even if you meet last year's profile.

Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. 47% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

WUSTL GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Estimated High School GPA

3.92*

Typical High School Grades

A

Estimated GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.92*

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

WUSTL has not published an average GPA for enrolled freshmen. CollegeSimply estimates about a 3.92 GPA (A) on a 4.0 scale, based on this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges. That is an estimate, not a school-reported average. An estimated 3.92 GPA does not by itself determine admission. WUSTL is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.9 GPA range.

*3.92 is a CollegeSimply estimate, not a school-reported average. It is modeled from this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges.

WUSTL Test Policy

Test Submission Requirements

Washington University in St. Louis is test-optional for first-year applicants entering fall 2027. SAT or ACT scores are optional; writing is not required, and ACT science is unused in the ACT superscore composite. Applicants may self-report on the Common App or Coalition App. Enrolling students who submitted unofficial scores must send official reports. WashU uses the highest individual section scores from any high school test date.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://admissions.washu.edu/how-to-apply/first-year-us-applicants/

WUSTL SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1500-1570

Freshmen who sent SAT

29%

25th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 730
  • Math 770
  • Composite 1500
SAT 25th percentile scores for Washington University in St Louis

75th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 770
  • Math 800
  • Composite 1570
SAT 75th percentile scores for Washington University in St Louis

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at WUSTL typically score around a 1540 SAT (middle 50% 1500–1570) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 99th percentile nationally. WUSTL ranks #1 in the state of Missouri and #15 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1500 to 1570

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

Matching last year's 1500–1570 range does not by itself determine admission.

SAT policy

WUSTL is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1540 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Washington University in St Louis
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
1570+ Above 75th >21%
1540 to 1570 Avg + 13%-21%
1500 to 1540 Avg - 7%-13%
Below 1500 Below mid-50 <7%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

WUSTL ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

33-35

Freshmen reporting ACT

28%

25th Percentile Scores

  • English 34
  • Math 31
  • Composite 33
ACT 25th percentile scores for Washington University in St Louis

75th Percentile Scores

  • English 35
  • Math 35
  • Composite 35
ACT 75th percentile scores for Washington University in St Louis

Average ACT

Incoming testers at WUSTL typically have around a 34 ACT (mid-50 33–35) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 99th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. WUSTL places #1 among colleges in Missouri and #21 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 33 to 35

1 9 18 27 36

Landing in last year's 33–35 band does not, on its own, decide admission.

ACT policy

You may apply to WUSTL without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 34.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Washington University in St Louis
ACT Score (36 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
35+ Above 75th >21%
34 to 35 Avg + 12%-21%
33 to 34 Avg - 7%-12%
Below 33 Below mid-50 <7%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

89% of Washington University in St Louis freshman are in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class. For your application to be competitive, you need to graduate at the top of your class.

High School Class Rank for admitted Washington University in St Louis students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 89%
Top 25% of class 98%
Top 50% of class 100%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the WUSTL chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

Washington University in St Louis admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 17,411 15,330 32,754
Accepted 2,030 1,920 3,951
Acceptance Rate 12% 13% 12%
Enrolled 985 862 1,847
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 49% 45% 47%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Washington University in St Louis and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Washington University in St Louis application requirements
Requirement Used for Admission
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 4, 2027

Days left to Apply

126

Applicants have 126 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Jan 4, 2027.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Washington University in St Louis is $75.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Washington University in St Louis
Credit Type Accepted
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit No
Credit for Life Experiences No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

WUSTL is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 12.1% of applicants. Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1500-1570); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Other Colleges to Apply To

Students applying to Washington University in St Louis often consider these colleges

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=179867.

GPA calculator: Washington University in St Louis GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026