Washington University in St Louis (WashU) vs UChicago
Washington University in St. Louis and the University of Chicago, two prestigious private research universities, offer distinct educational experiences. Washington University boasts a higher acceptance rate (17%) compared to Chicago's highly selective admissions (8%). Both universities excel in various disciplines, with Washington University known for its strength in medicine, engineering, and business, while Chicago is renowned for its humanities, social sciences, and physical sciences programs. Their student bodies reflect diverse backgrounds, with Chicago having a slightly larger international student population. While Washington University has a slightly higher graduation rate (89%), both institutions ensure their students receive a top-notch education that prepares them for successful careers. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to discover more key differences and make an informed decision about which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() University of Chicago |
![]() Washington University in St Louis |
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Overview |
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Location | Chicago, Illinois | Saint Louis, Missouri |
Campus setting | City: Large | Suburb: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Quarter | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 99.0% | 96.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 6.5% | 13.0% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$75
Graduate:
$90
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Undergraduate:
$75
Graduate:
$45
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SAT range | 1510 - 1580 | 1490 - 1570 |
ACT range | 33 - 35 | 33 - 35 |
Students submitting SAT score | 49.0% | 25.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 35.0% | 41.0% |
Total number of applicants | 37,974 | 33,634 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,460 | 4,373 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 2,053 | 1,980 |
Yield rate | 83.5% | 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 | $84,126 | $81,620 |
Average net price | $33,727 | $28,298 |
Tuition | $59,256 | $57,750 |
Room & board | $17,685 |
Room/dormitory:
$12,350
Meal plan:
$5,550
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
52.0%
Average amount $48,412 |
44.0%
Average amount $51,288 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
6.0%
Average amount $5,265 |
14.0%
Average amount $4,790 |
Students taking out private loans |
2.0%
Average amount $37,860 |
2.0%
Average amount $25,095 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
7,636
Men 52.2% Women 47.8% |
8,034
Men 46.4% Women 53.6% |
Graduate students |
11,196
Men 55.1% Women 44.9% |
8,939
Men 47.6% Women 52.4% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 88.2% |
International students | 28.5% | 26.1% |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 4,584 | 6,826 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | Yes | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | 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 | 5:1 | 7:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 95.9% | 93.1% |
Dropout rate | 1.7% | 6.5% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Statistics (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Master's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Master's Degrees)
Public Policy Analysis (Master's Degrees)
Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Public Policy Analysis (Bachelor'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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