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).
The University of Southern California (USC), located in Los Angeles, California, is a private research institution that enrolls approximately 19,000 undergraduate students. The school has a highly selective acceptance rate of about 9.9%, making admission extremely competitive. USC is best known for its programs in Film, Business, and Engineering. The school has an average graduation rate of 92%, while graduates of USC enjoy early career salaries of approximately ?40–45 lakhs annually (£34,000–39,000).
| Washington University | University of Southern California | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 6.5 Out of 10 | 5.9 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 67 Times Higher Education 2026 # 167 QS World University 2026 # 47 Center for World University Rankings 2025 | # 73 Times Higher Education 2026 # 146 QS World University 2026 # 54 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 | # 20 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 99 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 26 for Law by US News 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -74 PG Programs -48 Doctorate Programs -1 | UG Programs -142 PG Programs -124 Doctorate Programs -7 |
| Acceptance Rate | 12.0 % | 10.0 % |
| Exam Score | GMAT-680 IELTS-7 SAT-1470 TOEFL-90 | IELTS-6.5 PTE-61 TOEFL-90 |
| 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 63468 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 25795 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 22428 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | Graduate Employability Rankings (2020)- #95 | Graduate Employability Ranking 2023: 59 QS World University Ranking :#134 Average salaries are given below:
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| application requirements | TOEFL scores are prefered as proof of language proficiency. | 3 to 4 years of work experience for some graduate programs; at least 2 letters of recommendation; 2 to 3-page statement of purpose |
| Campuses and B-Schools | Olin Business School | Marshall Business School |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 8.7/10 Read 4 reviews | 7.8/10 Read 37 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 | # 49 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 # 72 for Business by QS World University 2025 |
| exam scores | Duolingo - 115/160IELTS - 7.0/9PTE - 68/90TOEFL - 100/120 | IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 61/90TOEFL - 90/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -64250 | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) - |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | Washington University | University of Southern California |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1853 | 1880 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 7:1 | 9:1:1 |
| Male:Female | 46% Male, 54% Female | 48% Male, 52% 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. | Has two campuses located in Los Angeles: University Park having Dana and David Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences and many professional schools; Health Science campus having Keck School of Medicine, School of Pharmacy and three teaching hospitals. |
| 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. | Over 22 campus libraries having – Total Volume: 5,919,656; Title Held: 5,007,597; Serials: 77,299; Physical Media: 172,964, Electronic Media: 122,269; Electronic Books: 1,682,067; Electronic Journals: 172,964; |
| 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. | Cultural Communities: Asian Pacific American Student Services, LGBT Resource Center, International Services, etc; Graduate, Undergraduate and Residential Student Governance; Volunteer Center; Trojan Marching Band; Relationship & Sexual Violence Prevention Services |
| Hostel | #On campus - $12986 #Off campus (not with family) - $14082 | #Housing - $14400 |
| 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. | Neil Armstrong (astronaut); George Lucas (creator of Star Wars); Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (former Prime Minister of Pakistan); John Wayne (Academy Award winner); Andrew Viterbi (co-founder of Qualcomm Inc.); Will Ferrell (actor) |
| 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. | Los Angeles (LA) is the second most populous city of USA; Hollywood is located here; 841 Museums and art gallaries, California Beaches, Disneyland park, Los Angeles offers various concert halls, regular festivals, and bustling nightlife; Ranked 7th on Global City Index and 9th on Global Economic Power Index; Unemployment rate in December 2022 was 4%; Industries employing maximum number of people are healthcare, retail, hospitality, and manufacturing |
| Weather |
Washington University in St. Louis vs University of Southern California
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. The University of Southern California is ranked among the top 25 universities globally, known for its research capabilities and a variety of academic programs. It has a strong reputation for its Film, 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. The University of Southern California is a private research university situated on a suburban campus in Los Angeles, California, educating around 19,000 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. The University of Southern California has a highly selective acceptance rate of about 9.9%, 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. The University of Southern California is also a significant research institution, with notable research facilities in areas such as film, 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; the University of Southern California’s tuition is slightly higher for non-residents, averaging $70,000–72,000 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. The University of Southern California graduates tend to move into film, business, and engineering sectors, leveraging the school’s strong academic programs and alumni relationships.
