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 Michigan, located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, is a public research institution that enrolls approximately 28,120 undergraduate students. The school has a highly selective acceptance rate of about 26%, making admission competitive but possible for qualified applicants. The University of Michigan is best known for its programs in Engineering, Business, and Political Science. The school has an average graduation rate of 93%, while graduates of the University of Michigan enjoy early career salaries of approximately ?35–40 lakhs annually (£30,000–35,000).
| Washington University | University of Michigan | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 6.5 Out of 10 | 7.5 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 67 Times Higher Education 2026 # 167 QS World University 2026 # 47 Center for World University Rankings 2025 | # 23 Times Higher Education 2026 # 45 QS World University 2026 # 16 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 | # 11 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 32 for Data Science and Analytics by QS World University 2025 # 19 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -74 PG Programs -48 Doctorate Programs -1 | UG Programs -37 PG Programs -87 Doctorate Programs -31 |
| Acceptance Rate | 12.0 % | 16.0 % |
| Exam Score | GMAT-680 IELTS-7 SAT-1470 TOEFL-90 | GMAT-731 IELTS-6.5 PTE-68 TOEFL-88 |
| 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 49350 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 21389 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 21016 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | Graduate Employability Rankings (2020)- #95 | Average salary is 79,000 USD per annum. Annual ROI is 9.5%. Popular employers are Ford Motor, General Motors, Quicken Loans, Amazon, etc. |
| application requirements | TOEFL scores are prefered as proof of language proficiency. | High School score/grade should be equivalent to 2.7 GPA. Indian student's transcripts must be sent by the Controller of the examinations. Fulfill other country-specific requirements. |
| Campuses and B-Schools | Olin Business School | Ross School of Business |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 8.7/10 Read 4 reviews | 8.5/10 Read 17 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 | # 13 for Business by US News 2025 # 21 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 # 29 for Business by QS World University 2025 |
| exam scores | Duolingo - 115/160IELTS - 7.0/9PTE - 68/90TOEFL - 100/120 | GMAT - 731/800GRE - 323/340IELTS - 7/9PTE - 70/90TOEFL - 100/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -64250 | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -111484 |
| documents required | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | Washington University | University of Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1853 | 1817 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 7:1 | 15:1:1 |
| Male:Female | 46% Male, 54% Female | 46% 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. | Michigan is considered one of the top 10 best craft beer states of the USA. It has the fourth highest per capita GDP growth rate of 2.5%. Manufactiring sector is the highest contributor. |
| 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. | Considered as one of the top 10 academic research libraries in North America; Over 14,283,067 volumes and 291,791 serials |
| 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. | Counselling & Psychological Services; International Centre; Office of Student Conflict Resolution; Office of Student Conflict Resolution; Services for Students with Disabilities; Student Legal Services; Campus Infoormation Centers |
| Hostel | #On campus - $12986 #Off campus (not with family) - $14082 | #Room and Board - $21016 |
| 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. | Over 36 Pulitzer Prize winners and 8 Nobel laureates; Larry Page (Google Co-founder), Gerald Ford (late US President), Arther Miller (playwright), Theodore Roethke (poet), Martha Minow (former Dean of Harvard Law School) |
| 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. | The Great Lakes State is one of the top cities to live in. It shares its border with Canada and has four out five Great Lakes. The high student population offers high cultural diversity. It is one of the cheapest midwestern states to live in. It has a food dominated nightlife with few night clubs and music locations. It has a growing tech startup community. The unemployment rate is 4.6 (2020). |
| Weather |
Washington University in St. Louis vs University of Michigan
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 Michigan 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 Engineering, Business, and Political Science 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 Michigan is a public research university situated on a suburban campus in Ann Arbor, Michigan, educating around 28,000 students, and offers a liberal arts and research-focused education in a public 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 Michigan has a highly selective acceptance rate of about 26%, making admission competitive but possible for qualified applicants.
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 Michigan is also a significant research institution, with notable research facilities in areas such as engineering, business, and political science, 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 Michigan’s tuition is slightly lower for non-residents, averaging $50,000–52,000 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 Michigan graduates tend to move into engineering, business, and political science sectors, leveraging the school’s strong academic programs and alumni relationships.
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