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Washington University in St Louis

St. Louis, Missouri · Private · 7,857 undergrads

WashU admits 12% of applicants (fall 2025, Common Data Set 2025-26), is test-optional for fall 2027, and regular decision is due Jan 4, 2027.

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Can I get into WashU?

12% of applicants get in

Grades and essays carry this one; most strong applicants still hear no. The middle half of enrolled first-years who sent scores had 1500–1550 on the SAT.

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Likely: even the low end of our estimate is 60% or more, and the college admits at least 25% of applicants. Target: our estimate is 30% or more. Reach: our estimate is under 30%, or the college admits under 15%. Long shot: our estimate is under 12%, or the college admits under 12%. Estimates use the college's admit rate and score range plus your grades and scores. They are not a promise.

33,283 applied, 3,968 admitted, fall 2025 (Common Data Set).

What does WashU cost?

$13,360 a year

What students who got federal aid paid on average after grants, 2024-25. The sticker price, with housing and food, is $92,523.

Tap your family income:

Average paid after grants by family income
under $30,000$2,578
$30,000–$48,000$589
$48,000–$75,000$7,361
$75,000–$110,000$15,636
over $110,000$47,130

Own a business or have divorced parents? Run WashU's own calculator.

Net price 2024-25, College Scorecard.

When is WashU due?

55 days left

Closed
Early decisionBinding
Was due Nov 2, 2026
Closed
Early action
Was due Nov 2, 2026
55days
Early decision IIBinding
Due Monday, Jan 4, 2027
55days
Regular decision
Due Monday, Jan 4, 2027

Scholarships: apply by Dec 16, 2026 for priority consideration.

Add to calendar Every WashU deadline

Checked on admissions.washu.edu Nov 5, 2026. See the source

Does WashU need the SAT or ACT?Optional

No.

Test-optional for fall 2027. 29% of enrolled first-years sent the SAT. Send your SAT if it's 1530 or higher, the middle of what enrolled first-years scored.

Which colleges require scores

Checked on bulletin.wustl.edu Nov 2, 2026. See the source

What it's like

7,857
undergrads. Mid-size: plenty of people, and professors who can learn your name.
Suburb
Campus setting in St. Louis, MO.
95%
of first-years come back for year two.
87%
finish in four years. 94% within six.
$91.5k
median pay 10 years after starting.
$15.3k
median federal debt at graduation.

Lists WashU is on

Test-optional collegesColleges due Jan 4Early decision II collegesDeadlines after Jan 1Most selective in MissouriCheapest after aid in MissouriColleges for a 1500 SATColleges for a 34 ACTCheapest after aid, families under $30k

Questions people ask

Is Washington University in St Louis test-optional for fall 2027?
Yes. WashU is test-optional for students entering in fall 2027, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT scores. Checked on bulletin.wustl.edu on Nov 2, 2026.
What is Washington University in St Louis' acceptance rate?
12% for fall 2025: 3,968 of 33,283 applicants were admitted (Common Data Set).
What SAT score do you need for Washington University in St Louis?
The middle half of enrolled first-years who sent SAT scores had 1500 to 1550 (Common Data Set, fall 2025). A quarter scored higher and a quarter lower, so a score in that range is typical, not a cutoff.
How much does Washington University in St Louis cost for a family earning $60,000?
Families earning $48,000–$75,000 paid an average of $7,361 a year after grants in 2024-25 (students who got federal aid). The sticker price is $92,523.
When is the Washington University in St Louis application deadline for fall 2027?
Early decision closed Nov 2, 2026. Early action closed Nov 2, 2026. Early decision II is due Jan 4, 2027. Regular decision is due Jan 4, 2027. Checked on admissions.washu.edu on Nov 5, 2026.
Does Washington University in St Louis have early decision?
Yes. 1,333 of 4,934 early decision applicants were admitted (27%) in fall 2025. Early decision is binding: if you're admitted, you go.