Getting in
For Fall 2025, 33,283 first-year students applied to WashU, 3,968 were admitted and 1,961 enrolled: an acceptance rate of 11.9%.
Source: WashU Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), section C1. Read Oct 1, 2026.
By residency, first-year applicants, Fall 2025
| Applicants | Applied | Admitted | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-state | 2,017 | 390 | 19.3% |
| Out-of-state | 23,436 | 3,003 | 12.8% |
| International | 7,830 | 575 | 7.3% |
Source: WashU Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), section C1, residency table. Read Oct 1, 2026.
By school or major. WashU's Common Data Set reports one first-year acceptance rate for the whole university, with no rate by school or major.
Source: WashU Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Early decision. The Common Data Set reports Early Decision I and II together for fall 2025, and gives no early action counts.
Early decision, Fall 2025
| Plan | Applied | Admitted | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Decision I and II | 4,934 | 1,333 | 27% |
Source: WashU Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), sections C21 and C22. Read Oct 1, 2026.
Programs with extra requirements
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
You choose one of WashU's undergraduate schools when you apply: Architecture, Art, Arts & Sciences, Business or Engineering. Some ask for more:
- College of Art. A portfolio is required, submitted through SlideRoom.
Source: WashU Undergraduate Admissions, Portfolio Reviews (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
- College of Architecture. A portfolio is strongly encouraged.
Source: WashU Undergraduate Admissions, Portfolio Reviews (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
- Architecture, Business, Engineering. Calculus is strongly recommended. WashU requires no specific courses, but engineering also recommends chemistry and physics.
Source: WashU Undergraduate Admissions, First-Year U.S. Applicants (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Source: WashU Undergraduate Admissions, First-Year U.S. Applicants (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Majors
92 majors across 5 schools. Every undergraduate major in WashU's official 2026-27 Bulletin, grouped by the school that offers it, with the degree where the Bulletin names one. Second majors, specializations, minors and graduate programs are left out.
College of Architecture1
Portfolios are strongly encouraged for applicants to the College of Architecture.
Source: WashU Undergraduate Admissions, Portfolio Reviews (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
- Architecture (BA or BS)
Source: WashU Bulletin 2026-27, Majors (all schools) (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
College of Art4
A portfolio is required for applicants to the College of Art.
Source: WashU Undergraduate Admissions, Portfolio Reviews (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
- Art (BA or BFA)
- Communication Design (BFA)
- Design (BA)
- Fashion Design (BFA)
Source: WashU Bulletin 2026-27, Majors (all schools) (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
College of Arts & Sciences62
- African & African American Studies
- American Culture Studies
- Ancient Studies
- Anthropology
- Applied Mathematics
- Arabic
- Art History and Archaeology
- Astrophysics
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Classics
- Comparative Literature and Thought
- Dance
- Data Science
- Drama
- Earth Science
- East Asian Languages and Cultures
- Economics and Computer Science
- Economics
- Educational Studies
- English Literature
- Environmental Analysis
- Environmental Biology
- Environmental Policy
- Environmental Science
- Film and Media Studies
- French
- Germanic Languages and Literatures
- Global Studies, Development Concentration
- Global Studies, Eurasian Studies Concentration
- Global Studies, European Studies Concentration
- Global Studies, Global Asias Concentration
- Global Studies, Global Cultural Studies Concentration
- Global Studies, International Affairs Concentration
- Hebrew
- History
- Italian
- Jewish, Islamic, and Middle Eastern Studies, Comparative Jewish and Islamic Studies Concentration
- Jewish, Islamic, and Middle Eastern Studies, Modern Middle Eastern Studies Concentration
- Latin American Studies
- Linguistics
- Mathematical Sciences
- Mathematics and Computer Science
- Mathematics and Economics
- Mathematics
- Music (BA or BMus)
- Philosophy
- Philosophy-Neuroscience-Psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience Concentration
- Philosophy-Neuroscience-Psychology, Language Cognition and Culture Concentration
- Physics
- Planetary Science
- Political Science
- Psychological & Brain Sciences
- Psychological & Brain Sciences: Cognitive Neuroscience
- Public Health & Society
- Religious Studies
- Romance Languages and Literatures
- Sociology
- Spanish
- Statistics
- Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Source: WashU Bulletin 2026-27, Majors (all schools) (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Olin Business School8
- Accounting (BSBA)
- Economics and Strategy (BSBA)
- Entrepreneurship (BSBA)
- Finance (BSBA)
- Health Care Management (BSBA)
- Marketing (BSBA)
- Organization and Strategic Management (BSBA)
- Supply Chain, Operations, and Technology (BSBA)
Source: WashU Bulletin 2026-27, Majors (all schools) (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
McKelvey School of Engineering17
- Applied Science (Chemical Engineering) (EECE) (BS)
- Applied Science (Electrical Engineering) (ESE) (BS)
- Applied Science (Mechanical Engineering) (MEMS) (BS)
- Applied Science (Systems Science & Engineering) (ESE) (BS)
- Biomedical Engineering (BME) (BS)
- Business and Computer Science (CSE) (BS)
- Chemical Engineering (EECE) (BS)
- Computer Engineering (CSE) (BS)
- Computer Engineering (ESE) (BS)
- Computer Science (CSE) (BS)
- Computer Science + Economics (CSE) (BS)
- Computer Science + Mathematics (CSE) (BS)
- Data Science (CSE) (BS)
- Electrical Engineering (ESE) (BS)
- Environmental Engineering (EECE) (BS)
- Mechanical Engineering (MEMS) (BS)
- Systems Science & Engineering (ESE) (BS)
Source: WashU Bulletin 2026-27, Majors (all schools) (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 Action | November 2 | December 23 | No |
| Early Decision I | November 2 | December 11 | Yes |
| Early Decision II | January 4 | February 12 | Yes |
| Regular Decision | January 4 | April 1 | No |
Admission decisions and financial aid offers come together. School materials from your counselor are due November 9 (Early Action, Early Decision I) or January 11 (Early Decision II, Regular Decision). Admitted students reply by January 4 (Early Decision I), March 1 (Early Decision II) or May 1 (Early Action, Regular Decision).
Source: WashU Undergraduate Admissions, Application Dates and Deadlines (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Early Decision is a commitment to attend WashU if admitted, and you may apply Early Decision to only one college. You, your counselor and a parent or guardian sign the commitment statement. If admitted, you withdraw your other applications. If your family finds the cost not affordable after working with a financial aid counselor, you are released from the commitment. Early Action is not binding.
Source: WashU Undergraduate Admissions, First-Year U.S. Applicants (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Testing
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
WashU is test-optional: applicants with or without test scores get full consideration. If you send SAT or ACT scores, you can type them into the application; if you enroll, you send official reports. The last test date accepted is in December (October for Early Action and Early Decision I).
Source: WashU Undergraduate Admissions, First-Year U.S. Applicants (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
The Common Data Set also marks the SAT or ACT as not required for fall 2027 applicants, but considered if submitted.
Source: WashU Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), section C8. Read Oct 1, 2026.
Applying next year?
For students applying in fall 2027, entering fall 2028
Not announced yet. When we checked WashU'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: WashU Undergraduate Admissions, Application Dates and Deadlines (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Cost, and what families paid after aid
The published cost of a year at WashU, 2026-2027:
| Tuition | $71,310 |
|---|---|
| Required fees | $1,412 |
| Food and housing (on campus) | $24,272 |
| Books and supplies | $1,412 |
| Transportation | $1,050 |
| Other expenses | $2,804 |
| Total | $102,260 |
Source: WashU Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), sections G1 and G5. Read Oct 1, 2026.
Average net price per year, by family income, 2023-24:
| Family income | Paid after grants |
|---|---|
| $0 to $30,000 | $1,716 |
| $30,001 to $48,000 | $1,928 |
| $48,001 to $75,000 | $5,578 |
| $75,001 to $110,000 | $12,603 |
| Over $110,000 | $42,170 |
| All incomes | $21,786 |
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 WashU'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 Washington University in St. Louis on acceptance rate, public or private, location and majors offered.
Tufts UniversityMedford, MA · Private10.8% admitted$39,998 average net price
Carnegie Mellon UniversityPittsburgh, PA · Private11.1% admitted$31,944 average net price
Boston UniversityBoston, MA · Private12.8% admitted$24,402 average net price
Middlebury CollegeMiddlebury, VT · Private12.8% admitted$31,483 average net price
Georgetown UniversityWashington, DC · Private13.5% admitted$40,815 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.