Cornell vs Washington University in St Louis (WashU)
Cornell University and Washington University in St. Louis, two prestigious private research universities, offer distinct educational experiences. Cornell, nestled in Ithaca, New York, boasts an acceptance rate of 10.3%, while Washington University, located in the vibrant city of St. Louis, Missouri, has a slightly higher acceptance rate of 14.9%. Both universities excel in various academic disciplines, with Cornell known for its strength in engineering, agriculture, and hospitality management, and Washington University renowned for its programs in medicine, business, and the arts. Explore the detailed comparison table to delve into further differences, including student body demographics, popular majors, graduation rates, and more, to determine which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Cornell University |
![]() Washington University in St Louis |
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Overview |
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Location | Ithaca, New York | Saint Louis, Missouri |
Campus setting | City: Small | Suburb: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 97.0% | 96.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 8.7% | 13.0% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$80
Graduate:
$105
|
Undergraduate:
$75
Graduate:
$45
|
SAT range | 1450 - 1560 | 1490 - 1570 |
ACT range | 33 - 35 | 33 - 35 |
Students submitting SAT score | 41.0% | 25.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 20.0% | 41.0% |
Total number of applicants | 67,380 | 33,634 |
Total number of admissions given out | 5,852 | 4,373 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 3,718 | 1,980 |
Yield rate | 63.5% | 45.3% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $80,287 | $81,620 |
Average net price | $24,262 | $28,298 |
Tuition | $60,286 | $57,750 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$9,962
Meal plan:
$6,434
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Room/dormitory:
$12,350
Meal plan:
$5,550
|
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
50.0%
Average amount $52,674 |
44.0%
Average amount $51,288 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
26.0%
Average amount $3,924 |
14.0%
Average amount $4,790 |
Students taking out private loans |
16.0%
Average amount $8,357 |
2.0%
Average amount $25,095 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
15,503
Men 46.1% Women 53.9% |
8,034
Men 46.4% Women 53.6% |
Graduate students |
10,079
Men 51.0% Women 49.0% |
8,939
Men 47.6% Women 52.4% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
|
Moderate
|
Out-of-state students | 64.3% | 88.2% |
International students | 24.4% | 26.1% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 7,422 | 6,826 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | New York California New Jersey Florida Pennsylvania | California Missouri New York Illinois Florida |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 9:1 | 7:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 94.1% | 93.1% |
Dropout rate | 5.2% | 6.5% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Law (Doctoral Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Science (Master's Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Operations Research (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Systems Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees)
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Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (Master's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Medicine (First Professional Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Master's Degrees)
Public Health (Master's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (First Professional Degrees)
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