Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) is a highly selective private research university in St. Louis, Missouri in the St. Louis metropolitan area. The university is of medium size, with a total enrollment of approximately 16,500. Admissions are highly competitive, with an estimated acceptance rate of around 12%. Major fields of study include Social Sciences, Engineering, Business, and Biological Sciences. The six-year graduation rate is around 94%, and WashU graduates have good career outcomes, with a median salary of around INR 79,00,000 (after ten years of graduation, converted from ~$95,000).
University of Washington (UW Seattle) is a highly ranked public research university in Seattle, Washington, in the Seattle area. It is a large university with an enrollment of approximately 55,600 students. Admissions are selective, with an acceptance rate of around 43%. Common fields of study are Computer Science, Engineering, Social Sciences, and Business. The six-year graduation rate is about 84%, and UW alumni have a median salary of approximately INR 70,50,000 (ten years post-graduation, converted from ~$84,800).
| Washington University | University of Washington | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 6.5 Out of 10 | 7.2 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 67 Times Higher Education 2026 # 167 QS World University 2026 # 47 Center for World University Rankings 2025 | # 76 QS World University 2025 # 7 US News 2024 # 25 Times Higher Education 2024 |
| Subject Strength | # 43 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 46 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 14 for Law by US News 2025 | # 25 for Engineering by US News 2024 # 12 for Data Science and Analytics by QS World University 2024 # 13 for Medicine by US News 2024 |
| Programs | UG Programs -74 PG Programs -48 Doctorate Programs -1 | UG Programs -77 PG Programs -56 Doctorate Programs -1 |
| Acceptance Rate | 12.0 % | 0.0 % |
| Exam Score | GMAT-680 IELTS-7 SAT-1470 TOEFL-90 | Duolingo-120 IELTS-7 TOEFL-92 |
| 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 35166 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 31473 [For PG Program] |
| placement (average package) | Graduate Employability Rankings (2020)- #95 | Employability Ranking- #60 (QS); 93% engineering graduates placed within first placement cycle; Average salary- 78,172 USD; Top recruiters: The Boeing Company, University of Washington, Amazon.com Inc., Microsoft Corp, Expedia Inc.; Highest paying degrees: Doctorate (118,000 USD), Ph.D. (112,000 USD), MBA(111,000 USD), Masters in Science (93,000 USD), BBA (85,000 USD). |
| application requirements | TOEFL scores are prefered as proof of language proficiency. | Coallition Essay |
| Campuses and B-Schools | Olin Business School | NA |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 8.7/10 Read 4 reviews | 7.4/10 Read 8 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 | # 115 for Business by QS World University 2024 # 26 for Business by Times Higher Education 2023 |
| application | - | - |
| exam scores | Duolingo - 115/160IELTS - 7.0/9PTE - 68/90TOEFL - 100/120 | Duolingo - 130/160IELTS - 7/9TOEFL - 100/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -64250 | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) - |
| Return on Investment/Average Package | #Average Salary | #Average Salary105000 |
| documents required | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose |
| application dates | - | Dec 19, 2025 (Round 1 Receive Notification by For Autumn 2026 Intake) Jan 6, 2026 (Round 2 Application Deadline For Autumn 2026 Intake) Feb 4, 2026 (Round 1 Enrollment Deadline For Autumn 2026 Intake) Mar 27, 2026 (Round 2 Receive Notification by For Autumn 2026 Intake) Apr 30, 2026 (Round 2 Enrollment Deadline For Autumn 2026 Intake) Oct 1, 2025 (Round 1 Application Deadline For Autumn 2026 Intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | Washington University | University of Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1853 | 1861 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 7:1 | 9.5:1 |
| Male:Female | 46% Male, 54% Female | 43% Male, 0% 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. | Bordered by two lakes of Seattle, Cascade Range view on East, Olympic Mountain view on West, and Red square is the heart of campus. The university has been relocated twice in the past (1876 and 19th century). The main campus lies shores of Portage and Union Bays. |
| 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. | Largest collection in Pacific Northwest |
| 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. | Over 60 fraternities and sororities |
| Hostel | #On campus - $12986 #Off campus (not with family) - $14082 | - |
| 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. | Four Nobel laureates, eight Pulitzer prize winners. |
| 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. | From intramural clubs to adventure activities, nature abound city has a lot to offer. Various national parks, Heritage monuments |
| Weather |
Washington University in St. Louis vs University of Washington
Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)
Both universities are highly respected but differ in scope and ranking presence. In the QS World University Rankings 2026, the University of Washington (UW) ranks around the 167th range globally, while Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) typically ranks in the 81th range. According to Times Higher Education, UW performs strongly in research reputation and clinical medicine, while WashU is especially noted for life sciences and social sciences. In subject fields, UW is a global leader in medical research, public health, computer science, and environmental sciences, whereas WashU is recognized for excellence in business, law, social sciences, and fine arts.
General Information
The University of Washington is a large public research university based in Seattle with more than 50,000 students, spanning a broad spectrum of undergraduate and graduate programs. WashU, in contrast, is a private university in St. Louis with around 17,000 students, offering a more intimate campus experience and a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary learning across professional schools.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Admissions competitiveness differs significantly. WashU is highly selective, with an acceptance rate around 12%, attracting top-tier students nationally and internationally. UW, while also competitive, has a broader admissions base as a public flagship university, with acceptance rates closer to 43%, though certain programs like computer science and engineering are extremely selective.
Research Impact & Facilities
The University of Washington is a global research powerhouse, particularly in medicine, computer science, engineering, and climate research, supported by billions in research funding and partnerships (including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation). WashU is renowned for its medical school, business programs, and social sciences, with strong research activity relative to its smaller size. Both universities maintain extensive libraries, labs, and interdisciplinary research centers, but UW’s scale gives it a wider global research footprint.
Cost & Financial Aid
WashU, as a private university, has a higher tuition cost, but it provides generous financial aid packages, including need-based support. UW, being public, offers a lower tuition for in-state students, though international and out-of-state tuition can be significant. Financial aid is available at both, with WashU generally offering more tailored aid packages for admitted students.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Success
UW graduates thrive in industries like tech, medicine, engineering, and public health, with Seattle’s proximity to Amazon, Microsoft, and Boeing boosting career pathways. WashU graduates excel in business, law, medicine, and policy, and the university is known for fostering close alumni networks despite being smaller. Overall, UW’s alumni network is broader due to size and global recognition, while WashU’s is tighter-knit and influential in professional fields.
