Getting in
For Fall 2024, 15,533 first-year students applied to SLU, 11,656 were admitted and 1,615 enrolled: an acceptance rate of 75%.
Source: IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2024, U.S. Department of Education (opens in a new tab), first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates. Read Oct 1, 2026.
By school or major. SLU publishes no first-year acceptance rate by college or major, and the newest Common Data Set it has posted is for 2021-2022, so this page uses the federal IPEDS count for Fall 2024.
Source: IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2024, U.S. Department of Education (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Early decision and early action. SLU has two binding early decision rounds and a non-binding early action round. It has posted no current Common Data Set, and IPEDS does not count early applicants, so there is no early acceptance rate.
Source: SLU Admission, Admission Deadlines (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Programs with extra requirements
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
Several programs have earlier deadlines or ask for more:
- Nursing. Apply by December 1, with supporting documents by December 11. You need at least a 3.20 high school GPA (4.00 scale), with an emphasis on math and science. Test scores are optional but preferred; if you send one, the minimum is a 24 ACT or 1160 SAT, and it must arrive by January 12, 2027.
Source: SLU Admission, Freshman Application Instructions and Test-Optional Policy (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
- Occupational therapy and physical therapy. Apply by December 1, with supporting documents by December 11. You need at least a 3.20 high school GPA (4.00 scale), with an emphasis on math and science, plus set math and science courses. Test scores are optional; if you send one, it must arrive by January 12, 2027.
Source: SLU Admission, Freshman Application Instructions and Test-Optional Policy (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
- Flight science and aviation management. Apply by December 1 if you want to start flight training in your first semester. After that, admission to these programs is not guaranteed and you may be waitlisted until space opens. Flight science test scores, if you send them, must arrive by January 5, 2027.
Source: SLU Admission, Freshman Application Instructions and Test-Optional Policy (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
- Music. An audition is required, on campus or by video through Get Accept'd.
Source: SLU Admission, Freshman Application Instructions and Test-Optional Policy (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
- Honors, scholars and special programs. The University Honors Program, the Medical, Law, Physician Assistant and Nutrition and Dietetics Scholars programs and the competitive scholarships each have a separate application, open from September 1 in your applicant portal once you have applied to SLU. Some ask for a resume or letters of recommendation. SLU's key dates list December 1 for scholars programs, while its early decision section says most of these applications are due January 5, so check the program's own page.
Source: SLU Admission, Admission Deadlines (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Source: SLU Admission, Freshman Application Instructions and Test-Optional Policy (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Majors
89 majors across 10 schools. Every bachelor's degree major in Saint Louis University's official Academic Catalog, grouped by the college or school that offers it, with the degree it leads to. Minors, certificates, accelerated bachelor's-to-graduate tracks and graduate programs are left out.
Arts and Sciences30
- African American Studies (B.A.)
- American Studies (B.A.)
- Anthropology (B.A.)
- Art History (B.A.)
- Bioethics and Health Studies (B.A.)
- Biology (B.A.)
- Biology (B.S.)
- Communication (B.A.)
- Data Science (B.S.)
- Economics (B.A.)
- English (B.A.)
- Forensic Science (B.S.)
- French (B.A.)
- History (B.A.)
- International Studies (B.A.)
- Mathematics (B.A.)
- Mathematics (B.S.)
- Modern Languages and Intercultural Communication (B.A.)
- Music (B.A.)
- Neuroscience (B.S.)
- Philosophy (B.A.)
- Political Science (B.A.)
- Psychology (B.A.)
- Psychology (B.S.)
- Sociology (B.A.)
- Spanish (B.A.)
- Studio Art (B.A.)
- Theatre (B.A.)
- Theological Studies (B.A.)
- Women's and Gender Studies (B.A.)
Source: Saint Louis University Academic Catalog, Degrees and Programs (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Business9
- Accounting (B.S.B.A.)
- Business Technology Management (B.S.B.A.)
- Economics (B.S.B.A.)
- Entrepreneurship (B.S.B.A.)
- Finance (B.S.B.A.)
- International Business (B.S.B.A.)
- Leadership and Human Resource Management (B.S.B.A.)
- Marketing (B.S.B.A.)
- Sports Business (B.S.B.A.)
Source: Saint Louis University Academic Catalog, Degrees and Programs (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Education2
- Education (B.A.)
- Teaching (B.A.)Offered fully online.
Source: Saint Louis University Academic Catalog, Degrees and Programs (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Health Sciences10
- Exercise Science (B.S.)
- Health Sciences (B.S.)
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (B.S.)
- Medical Laboratory Science (B.S.)
- Medical Sciences (B.S.)
- Nuclear Medicine Technology (B.S.)
- Nutrition and Dietetics (B.S.)
- Radiation Therapy (B.S.)
- Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences (B.S.)
- Occupational Science (B.S.)The catalog lists it as Occupational Science, B.S. to Master of Occupational Therapy Accelerated Program.
Source: Saint Louis University Academic Catalog, Degrees and Programs (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Nursing1
- Nursing (B.S.)
Source: Saint Louis University Academic Catalog, Degrees and Programs (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Philosophy and Letters3
- Catholic Studies (B.A.)
- Philosophy for Ministry (B.A.)
- Philosophy for Ministry (B.S.)
Source: Saint Louis University Academic Catalog, Degrees and Programs (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Professional Studies6
- Computer Information Systems (B.S.)Offered fully online.
- General Studies (B.A.)Offered fully online.
- Leadership and Organizational Behavior (B.A.)Offered fully online.
- Project Management (B.S.)Offered fully online.
- Security and Strategic Intelligence (B.S.)Offered fully online.
- Technology and Leadership (B.S.)Offered fully online.
Source: Saint Louis University Academic Catalog, Degrees and Programs (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Public Health and Social Justice2
- Health Management (B.S.)
- Public Health (B.S.)
Source: Saint Louis University Academic Catalog, Degrees and Programs (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Science and Engineering24
- Aeronautics (B.S.)
- Aerospace Engineering (B.S.)
- Biochemistry (B.A.)
- Biochemistry (B.S.)
- Biomedical Engineering (B.S.)
- Chemical Biology and Pharmacology (B.S.)
- Chemistry (B.A.)
- Chemistry (B.S.)
- Civil Engineering (B.S.)
- Computer Engineering (B.S.)
- Computer Science + Art (B.A.)
- Computer Science + Computer Engineering (B.A.)
- Computer Science + Health Information Management (B.A.)
- Computer Science + Neuroscience (B.A.)
- Computer Science + Philosophy (B.A.)
- Computer Science + Psychology (B.A.)
- Computer Science + Sociology (B.A.)
- Computer Science (B.A.)
- Computer Science (B.S.)
- Electrical Engineering (B.S.)
- Environmental Science (B.S.)
- Environmental Studies (B.A.)
- Geoinformatics and Geospatial Analytics (B.S.)
- Mechanical Engineering (B.S.)
Source: Saint Louis University Academic Catalog, Degrees and Programs (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Social Work2
- Criminology and Criminal Justice (B.A.)
- Social Work (B.S.)
Source: Saint Louis University Academic Catalog, Degrees and Programs (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Deadlines for Fall 2027
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
| Plan | Apply by | Decision | Binding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Decision I | November 2 | Begins December 1 | Yes |
| Early Action | December 1 | By February 1 | No |
| Early Decision II | January 19 | Begins February 1 | Yes |
| Regular Decision | Preferred by April 1 | By April 15 | No |
There is no application fee. Regular Decision answers come by April 15 if your application is complete by March 16, or within 30 days of a complete application; after that, SLU admits and awards merit scholarships while space and funding last. Deferred decisions come in February. Flight science, nursing, occupational therapy and physical therapy close on December 1. If you are denied in an early round, you cannot apply again in Regular Decision.
Source: SLU Admission, Admission Deadlines (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Early Decision I and II are binding: if admitted, you commit to attend and must withdraw all other applications, and all parties must sign an Early Decision Agreement. If your choice depends on getting into the Honors Program, Medical Scholars or another special program, SLU says to apply Early Action or Regular Decision instead.
Source: SLU Admission, Admission Deadlines (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Testing
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
SLU is test-optional: you choose whether to send ACT or SAT scores, and they are not required for admission or merit scholarships. If you send scores, SLU does not superscore, so send your composite and all subscores from each completed test. Some programs (flight science, nursing, occupational and physical therapy) may prefer a score.
Source: SLU Admission, Freshman Application Instructions and Test-Optional Policy (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Applying next year?
For students applying in fall 2027, entering fall 2028
Not announced yet. When we checked SLU's admission pages on October 1, 2026, we found no announced changes for fall 2028 entry. The deadlines and rules above are for fall 2027 entry.
Source: SLU Admission, Freshman Application Instructions and Test-Optional Policy (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Cost, and what families paid after aid
The published cost of a year at SLU, 2026-2027:
| Tuition | $58,960 |
|---|---|
| Fees | $1,000 |
| Housing (on campus, billed by SLU) | $16,360 |
| Books and supplies | $1,290 |
| Transportation | $3,220 |
| Miscellaneous | $2,880 |
| Total | $83,710 |
For a full-time undergraduate living on campus, fall and spring. SLU notes that additional fees may apply.
Source: SLU Financial Aid, Cost of Attendance (opens in a new tab), 2026-27 Undergraduate Cost of Attendance. Read Oct 1, 2026.
Average net price per year, by family income, 2023-24:
| Family income | Paid after grants |
|---|---|
| $0 to $30,000 | $22,501 |
| $30,001 to $48,000 | $21,854 |
| $48,001 to $75,000 | $21,880 |
| $75,001 to $110,000 | $21,702 |
| Over $110,000 | $27,466 |
| All incomes | $24,398 |
What first-year, full-time students who received federal aid paid after grants and scholarships, by family income, in 2023-24, the latest year the Department of Education publishes. Your own price comes from SLU's aid offer.
Source: College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Similar schools
Chosen for how close each is to Saint Louis University on acceptance rate, public or private, location and majors offered.
University of St. Thomas, MinnesotaSt. Paul, MN · Private85.4% admitted$29,155 average net price
Loyola University ChicagoChicago, IL · Private75.1% admitted$36,079 average net price
Seattle UniversitySeattle, WA · Private76.9% admitted$34,662 average net price
Creighton UniversityOmaha, NE · Private92.2% admitted$31,568 average net price
Seton Hall UniversitySouth Orange, NJ · Private73.3% admitted$31,446 average net price
Admitted: each school's latest first-year acceptance rate, so the year can differ from school to school; each school's page names its year and source. Average net price: what federal aid recipients paid per year after grants, 2023-24, and the in-state figure for a public university.