Washington University in St. Louis (WashU), located in St. Louis, Missouri, is a private research institution that enrolls approximately 7,307 undergraduate students. The school has a highly selective acceptance rate of about 12%, making admission competitive but achievable for qualified applicants. WashU is well-known for its programs in Medicine, Business, and Law. The school has an average graduation rate of 94%, while graduates of WashU enjoy early career salaries of approximately ?45–50 lakhs annually (£38,000–43,000).
Northwestern University, located in Evanston, Illinois, is a private research institution that enrolls approximately 8,000 undergraduate students. Northwestern has a highly selective acceptance rate of about 7%, making admission extremely competitive. Northwestern is best known for its programs in Journalism, Business, and Engineering. The school's average graduation rate is close to 94%, while graduates of Northwestern enjoy early career wages of ?50–55 lakhs annually (£42,000–47,000).
| Washington University | Northwestern University | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 6.5 Out of 10 | 7.3 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 67 Times Higher Education 2026 # 167 QS World University 2026 # 47 Center for World University Rankings 2025 | # 30 Times Higher Education 2026 # 42 QS World University 2026 # 15 Center for World University Rankings 2025 |
| Subject Strength | # 43 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 46 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 14 for Law by US News 2025 | # 16 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 51 for Data Science and Analytics by QS World University 2025 # 42 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -74 PG Programs -48 Doctorate Programs -1 | UG Programs -64 PG Programs -55 Doctorate Programs -11 |
| Acceptance Rate | 12.0 % | 7.0 % |
| Exam Score | GMAT-680 IELTS-7 SAT-1470 TOEFL-90 | GMAT-660 IELTS-7.5 SAT-1440 TOEFL-71 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 56300 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 67552 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 29593 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 56286 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 66912 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 32094 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | Graduate Employability Rankings (2020)- #95 | 95% graduates employed within 6 months of graduation. Average annual salary of 82,000 USD; Top recruiters- United Airlines, Inc., IBM, Abbott Laboratories, Abbvie Inc. Highest paid degrees- Executive MBA (200,000 USD); MBA (160,000 USD); Executive Masters (125,000 USD); LLM (120,000 USD); Master of Arts (55,000 USD). |
| application requirements | TOEFL scores are prefered as proof of language proficiency. | Counselor recommendation; 1 Teacher recommendation; Standardized test scores; English proficiency scores; 2-3 LORs; SOP; Resume; Additional documents (audition; portfolio; research paper, etc.) |
| Campuses and B-Schools | Olin Business School | Kellogg School of Management |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 8.7/10 Read 4 reviews | 8.0/10 Read 5 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 24 for Business by US News 2025 # 126 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 # 201 for Business by QS World University 2025 | # 2 for Business by US News 2025 # 16 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 # 17 for Business by QS World University 2025 |
| exam scores | Duolingo - 115/160IELTS - 7.0/9PTE - 68/90TOEFL - 100/120 | IELTS - 7.0/9TOEFL - 90/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -64250 | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -86370 |
| Return on Investment/Average Package | #Average Salary | #Average Salary186438 |
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| General Facts | Washington University | Northwestern University |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1853 | 1851 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 7:1 | 6:1 |
| Male:Female | 46% Male, 54% Female | 47% Male, 53% Female |
| Location Facts | There are three campuses and one medical research center. Darnforth Campus is located mostly between Forest park parkway, North Skinker Boulevard, North Big Bend Boulevard, and Wydown Boulevard. | 2 campuses that are 12 miles apart; Main campus is a 240-acre campus along the shores of Lake Michigan in Evanston, while law, medical, professional and Northwestern Memorial Hospital is located in downtown Chicago in Streeterville; Close to Magnificent Mile, the Museum of Contemporary Art and John Hancock Center. |
| Library | There are 12 libraries under Washington University offering around 5.5 million volumes offered to its students to read from. John M-Olin is the main library houses over 70,000 microfilms, and other 12 libraries at three other campuses offering special collections and more. | Northwestern University Libraries is a collection of 7,918,603 of total prints and volumes; 304 TB of digital content; 228,505 maps; 142,133 audio files; 125,052 graphic images; 100,560 films and videos; 27,336 linear feet of archives and manuscripts; 107,446 print journals and 173.089 electronic journals |
| Campus Life | The university has 4 galleries, one museum, 15 eateries, and over 600 clubs and societies. There are various health and wellness organizations for students to indulge in. It also has a rich athletic culture and a tradition of over 100 years. The campus also has a career center, disability resources, and more. | Intercampus shuttle runs between the Evanston and downtown Chicago campuses; Technological Institute; Pick-Staiger Concert Hall; Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art |
| Hostel | #On campus - $12986 #Off campus (not with family) - $14082 | #Room & Board - $16047 #Room & Board - $16047 |
| Famous Alumni | Bob Behnken (astronaut), Richa Langella (Indian actress), Phyllis Schlafly (author), Quinton Lucas (mayor of Kansas city), Susannah Cahalan (journalist), Brittany Packnett (activist), Peter Sarsgaard (actor), Pooja Kumar (actress), Leana Wen (physician), Joe Madison (football player), Donald Livingston (professor at Emory University), etc. | 19 Nobel Prize laureates, 23 National Medal of Science winners; 11 National Humanities Medal recipients; 1 Fields Medalist; 10 living billionaires; 84 members of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences; 2 Supreme Court Justices; George McGovern (U.S. Senator and presidential candidate), George J. Stigler (Economist), Saul Bellow (Novelist), Ned Rorem (Composer), David Schwimmer (Actor); Meghan Markle (the Duchess of Sussex), Pharrell Williams (Musician) |
| City Life | Located on the banks of Western bank of the Mississippi River. Some of the sites Gateway Arch, St Louis Art Museum, Cathedral Basilica, City museum, old courthouse, St. Louis zoo, city hall, etc. It is ranked one of the best cities to live in the USA. It is also home to some of the best companies like Emerson Electric, Centene, Boeing, Energizer, Edward Jones Financial, etc. | Evanston is a city in Cook County, Illinois; situated 12 miles north of downtown Chicago, Wilmette to the north, and Skokie to the west. Northwestern University is one of the top recruiters in the city. Evanston is considered a thriving business economy and has public lakefront recreation activities. The unemployment rate was 3.7% in March 2020. |
| Weather |
Washington University in St. Louis vs Northwestern University
Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026):
Washington University in St. Louis is ranked among the top 20 universities globally, known for its research capabilities and a variety of academic programs. It has a strong reputation for its Medicine, Business, and Law programs. Northwestern University is ranked among the top 20 universities globally, known for its research capabilities and a variety of academic programs. It has a strong reputation for its Journalism, Business, and Engineering programs.
General Information:
Washington University in St. Louis is a private research university located on a suburban campus in St. Louis, Missouri, with over 100 offered degrees, and serves more than 7,000 students. Northwestern University is a private research university situated on a suburban campus in Evanston, Illinois, educating around 8,000 students, and offers a liberal arts and research-focused education in a private institution.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions:
Washington University in St. Louis has a highly selective admission process with an acceptance rate around 12%, and receives a significant volume of in-state, out-of-state, and international applicants. Northwestern University has a highly selective acceptance rate of about 7%, making admission extremely competitive.
Research Impact & Facilities:
Washington University in St. Louis is a Carnegie R1 research university with considerable research funding, mostly in medicine, business, and law. It operates state-of-the-art labs, research centers, and collaborates with partners worldwide. Northwestern University is also a significant research institution, with notable research facilities in areas such as journalism, business, and engineering, and emphasizes applied research and community engagement.
Cost & Financial Aid:
For international students, Washington University in St. Louis’s tuition averages between $65,000–67,000 per year; Northwestern University’s tuition is slightly higher for non-residents, averaging $68,000–70,000 per year. Both universities offer scholarships and financial aid for international students, with merit and need-based awards available.
Career Destinations & Graduates' Success:
Washington University in St. Louis graduates usually enter medicine, business, and law roles, benefiting from the university’s strong research opportunities and extensive alumni network. Northwestern University graduates tend to move into journalism, business, and engineering sectors, leveraging the school’s strong academic programs and alumni relationships.
