What is special about WashU St. Louis?

Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) is special for its elite academics (top 20 national ranking), strong focus on pre-med and research, prestigious programs like its Business School, and collaborative, non-competitive student culture, all within a beautiful campus near St. Louis's cultural attractions like Forest Park, benefiting from strong endowment and partnerships with top hospitals like Barnes-Jewish.

What is WashU in St. Louis known for?

Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) is known for its rigorous academics, strong research (especially in medicine), beautiful campus in a large urban park (Forest Park), and high-achieving, "work hard/play hard" student culture, consistently ranking among the top national universities. Key strengths include top-tier graduate programs, extensive research opportunities for undergraduates, interdisciplinary studies, and a vibrant campus life with strong athletics and student organizations, all within a city offering emerging innovation and culture. 

Why is WashU so prestigious?

WashU (Washington University in St. Louis) is prestigious due to its strong academics and research, high rankings, excellent student resources like top-rated dorms and food, a beautiful campus, and successful alumni network, all supported by a significant endowment, leading to elite status and strong career outcomes, particularly in business, medicine, and STEM. Its selectivity and increasing reputation place it among national leaders, even without being an Ivy League school.
 

Is WashU as good as an ivy?

Yes, WashU (Washington University in St. Louis) is widely considered as good as many Ivy League schools, often called a "Hidden Ivy" or "New Ivy" due to its selective admissions, top-tier academics, strong research, and excellent career outcomes, with some rankings placing it even above lower-tier Ivies in certain metrics or specific program strengths like business, biology, and pre-med, though traditional Ivy prestige and name recognition differ. 

What majors is WashU known for?

WashU (Washington University in St. Louis) is known for strong programs in Computer Science, Psychology, Finance, Engineering, Biology, Economics, Neuroscience, and Political Science, with a reputation for rigorous academics, especially in Pre-Med, Business, and STEM fields, alongside highly-ranked graduate studies in medicine and therapy.
 

PROS and CONS of WASHU in ST. LOUIS

Is WashU difficult to get into?

Getting into Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) is extremely difficult, as it's a highly selective university with low acceptance rates (around 12%) and requires exceptional academic performance, with admitted students typically having high GPAs (around 4.19) and top SAT/ACT scores (mid 1500s SAT, 33-35 ACT), alongside impressive extracurriculars and compelling personal essays, especially if applying Early Decision. 

Where do top 1% send kids to college?

The "top 1%" of students, referring to those from the highest income brackets, tend to attend elite universities like MIT, Harvard, Stanford, Princeton, and Yale that consistently rank high in national and global lists, with some even having more students from the top 1% income bracket than the bottom 60% combined, according to The New York Times data. Top-ranked institutions like MIT, Princeton, Harvard, and Stanford are frequent top contenders in various 2026 rankings from U.S. News & World Report and Times Higher Education. 

What is the #1 hardest school to get into?

There isn't one single #1 hardest school, as it changes slightly by year and criteria, but Harvard University, Stanford University, MIT, and Caltech consistently rank among the top with extremely low acceptance rates (often 3-4%) and intense competition for spots, though other top global universities like Oxford and Tsinghua are also incredibly selective. Harvard is frequently cited as the hardest due to its high volume of applications and focus on global leadership potential, while Caltech is known for its extreme difficulty in STEM. 

Is WashU a party school?

Not a big party or sports school but there are other ways to enjoy campus life and meet people.

Where do the 1% go to college?

The 1% of the wealthiest Americans disproportionately attend highly selective, elite universities, particularly Ivy League schools (Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Dartmouth, Brown, Penn, Columbia) and other top institutions like MIT, Stanford, Duke, and UChicago, where they make up a large percentage of the student body, often outnumbering students from the bottom 60% of income earners combined. Liberal arts colleges and prestigious public universities also attract many wealthy students, with specific examples including WashU St. Louis, UVA, UCLA, UC Berkeley, Vanderbilt, and Johns Hopkins.
 

Is WashU a rich school?

WashU has a reputation for having a lack of socioeconomic diversity; according to a 2017 New York Times story, it has more students from the top fifth in median family income than all the other 2,395 included colleges.

What is the vibe at WashU?

Louis, affectionately known as "WashU," is often praised for a welcoming and collaborative community vibe. The student body is often described as friendly and supportive, rather than competitive.

How much does it cost to go to WashU for 4 years?

For four years at the University of Washington (UW), expect around $145,000 - $146,000 for Washington residents and approximately $270,000 - $273,000 for out-of-state students, including tuition, fees, room, board, books, and living expenses, though costs vary slightly by campus and increase yearly, with financial aid significantly reducing the net cost for many. 

Who is the most famous person from St. Louis?

While "most famous" is subjective, Jon Hamm (actor, Mad Men) is often cited for modern fame, but historic figures like Nobel laureate poet T.S. Eliot and civil rights writer Maya Angelou, alongside sports legends like track star Jackie Joyner-Kersee, also come from St. Louis, making it a hub for diverse talent.
 

Is WashU as good as ivy?

Yes, WashU (Washington University in St. Louis) is widely considered as good as many Ivy League schools, often called a "Hidden Ivy" or "New Ivy" due to its selective admissions, top-tier academics, strong research, and excellent career outcomes, with some rankings placing it even above lower-tier Ivies in certain metrics or specific program strengths like business, biology, and pre-med, though traditional Ivy prestige and name recognition differ. 

What is the average family income at WashU?

Washington University in St. Louis. The median family income of a student from WashU is $272,000, and 84% come from the top 20 percent.

Is WashU a dry campus?

Washington University strictly prohibits the unlawful manufacture, sale, distribution, dispensation, possession or use of controlled substances or alcohol on University property or as a part of any University activity.

What school do billionaire kids go to?

Billionaires send their children to elite private schools, both day and boarding, like Choate Rosemary Hall, Phillips Academy Andover, and The Lawrenceville School, often referred to as "Ivy League pipelines," as well as prestigious international schools like Institut Le Rosey in Switzerland, for strong academics and connections, with some also choosing top public schools for better college admission odds. Top universities like Harvard, Stanford, and Yale remain popular choices for higher education.
 

Where do most billionaires go to college?

American universities like Harvard, Stanford, and Penn lead in producing billionaire alumni. Most wealth comes from technology startups and entrepreneurial ventures (e.g., Microsoft, Google, DoorDash, Baidu).

What might a $300,000 college cost a $200,000 family?

A $200,000 income family might pay anywhere from $20,000 to over $40,000 annually for a $300,000 (total) college, depending heavily on the school's financial aid policies (needs-based vs. merit-based), the CSS Profile vs. FAFSA, and if the school uses home equity, but many selective schools offer substantial aid, reducing the cost significantly below sticker price. Expect aid to be around 10-25% of the total cost, with specific contributions varying by institution. 

Is WashU preppy?

Yes. The vibe is generally preppy, overachieving, but friendly.

Can you get a full ride to WashU?

Each undergraduate school at WashU provides a number of four-year scholarships that range up to the full cost of tuition. Students are selected for these academic scholarships based on a review of the admissions application.

What percent of WashU is black?

At Washington University in St. Louis (WashU), Black or African American students make up around 8.9% of undergraduates and about 7.2% of the total university population, according to recent WashU data, with other sources placing it slightly higher, around 9-12% for undergraduates. The percentages vary slightly by source and year, but generally hover in the 7-12% range for Black student representation.