CAMBRIDGE, MA

ST. LOUIS, MO

COLLEGE COUNCIL · ATLAS · US UNIVERSITIES

Harvard vs Washington university — US university comparison

HARVARD

Cambridge, MA

World rank · ARWU#1

Acceptance3.6%

Median SAT1553

Graduation rate97.6%

Median earnings · 10 yrs$102K

WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY

St. Louis, MO

World rank · ARWU#23

Acceptance12.1%

Median SAT1530

Graduation rate94.3%

Median earnings · 10 yrs$86K

🔒 UNDERGRADUATE 🔒 GRADUATE

KEY DATA

Harvard University Washington University in St. Louis

#1 World rank · ARWU #23

#3 Rank · THE #69

3.6% Acceptance rate 12.1%

1553 Median SAT 1530

97.6% Graduation rate 94.3%

21,189 Enrollment 16,357

HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS

3.6% Acceptance rate 12.1%

83.6% Yield rate 46.7%

1553 Median SAT 1530

4.20 Avg. GPA 4.20

54,008 Number of applications 32,754

25% Int'l students 27%

At a glance

Harvard leads in 9 of 12 measured metrics

Acceptance3.6% vs 12.1%

Yield83.6% vs 46.7%

Debt$14,000 vs $17,500

EXPERT TAKE

Harvard is the more selective of the two (3.6% vs 12.1% acceptance). Harvard ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#1 vs #23). Harvard graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($102K vs $86K). Harvard has lower sticker-price tuition ($61,676 vs $65,790 per year).

Both universities have complete, comparable data in canonical — the choice should come down to fit (campus culture, major, aid package) alongside the differences visible in the numbers below.

Choose Harvard for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.

Choose Washington university for: a larger aid package.

College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.

BY THE NUMBERS

Admissions

Harvard is more selective (3.6% vs 12.1% acceptance); Harvard has a higher median SAT (1553 vs 1530).

Graduate outcomes

Harvard graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($102K vs $86K); Harvard has a higher 6-year graduation rate (97.6% vs 94.3%).

Cost and aid

Harvard has lower sticker-price tuition ($61,676 vs $65,790); Washington university offers a larger average aid package ($75,604 vs $74,387).

VALUE LANDSCAPE

Each dot is a comparable US university; Harvard and Washington university highlighted. Up and to the left = better value ratio.

FULL DATA TABLE

Metric	Harvard	Washington university
World rank · ARWU	#1	#23
Rank · THE	#3	#69
Acceptance rate	3.6%	12.1%
Yield rate	83.6%	46.7%
Median SAT	1553	1530
Avg. GPA	4.20	4.20
Number of applications	54,008	32,754
International students	25%	27%
Median earnings · 10 yrs	$102K	$86K
Avg. earnings · 10 yrs	$139K	$88K
Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs	$200K	$137K
Graduation rate	97.6%	94.3%
Retention rate	98%	95%
Median debt	$14,000	$17,500
Tuition · year	$61,676	$65,790
Avg. aid package	$74,387	$75,604
% of need met	100%	100%
Avg. graduate debt	$22,262	$26,666
Application fee	$85	$75
Enrollment	21,189	16,357

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is it harder to get into Harvard or Washington university?

It's harder to get into Harvard. Harvard accepts 3.6% of applicants, while Washington university accepts 12.1%.

Do Harvard or Washington university graduates earn more?

Harvard graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $102K vs $86K.

How much is tuition at Harvard vs Washington university?

Sticker-price tuition is $61,676 per year at Harvard and $65,790 per year at Washington university.

What SAT score do you need for Harvard or Washington university?

The median admitted SAT score is 1553 at Harvard and 1530 at Washington university; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.

Which university ranks higher — Harvard or Washington university?

Harvard ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #1 for Harvard vs #23 for Washington university.

Which university offers more financial aid — Harvard or Washington university?

The average aid package is $74,387 at Harvard and $75,604 at Washington university.

Compare Harvard with

Stanford

Massachusetts institute of technology

Highest-ranked in ARWU. Click "↻ Change university" in the cards above to choose from all 47 universities (+35).

All metrics come 100% from College Council Atlas (canonical) — admissions, SAT, GPA, graduate outcomes, financial aid and costs from IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25; rankings from ARWU 2024 and THE 2025. Zero manual fields. "—" = not yet in canonical.