Johns hopkins vs Washington university — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Johns hopkins is the more selective of the two (6.4% vs 12.1% acceptance). Johns hopkins ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#17 vs #23). Median earnings 10 years after enrollment are effectively tied ($88K vs $86K). Johns hopkins has lower sticker-price tuition ($65,230 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 Johns hopkins for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Washington university for: a higher graduation rate, a larger aid package, lower graduate debt.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Johns hopkins is more selective (6.4% vs 12.1% acceptance); Johns hopkins has a higher median SAT (1553 vs 1530).
Johns hopkins graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($88K vs $86K); Washington university has a higher 6-year graduation rate (94.3% vs 93.8%).
Johns hopkins has lower sticker-price tuition ($65,230 vs $65,790); Washington university offers a larger average aid package ($75,604 vs $67,159).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Johns hopkins | Washington university |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #17 | #23 |
| Rank · THE | #16 | #69 |
| Acceptance rate | 6.4% | 12.1% |
| Yield rate | 47% | 46.7% |
| Median SAT | 1553 | 1530 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.90 | 4.20 |
| Number of applications | 45,895 | 32,754 |
| International students | 32% | 27% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $88K | $86K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $89K | $88K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $135K | $137K |
| Graduation rate | 93.8% | 94.3% |
| Retention rate | 98.1% | 95% |
| Median debt | $10,250 | $17,500 |
| Tuition · year | $65,230 | $65,790 |
| Avg. aid package | $67,159 | $75,604 |
| % of need met | 99.5% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $30,803 | $26,666 |
| Application fee | $70 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 30,210 | 16,357 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Johns hopkins or Washington university?
It's harder to get into Johns hopkins. Johns hopkins accepts 6.4% of applicants, while Washington university accepts 12.1%.
Do Johns hopkins or Washington university graduates earn more?
Earnings are practically equal — 10 years after enrollment, the median is $88K at Johns hopkins and $86K at Washington university.
How much is tuition at Johns hopkins vs Washington university?
Sticker-price tuition is $65,230 per year at Johns hopkins and $65,790 per year at Washington university.
What SAT score do you need for Johns hopkins or Washington university?
The median admitted SAT score is 1553 at Johns hopkins and 1530 at Washington university; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher — Johns hopkins or Washington university?
Johns hopkins ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #17 for Johns hopkins vs #23 for Washington university.
Which university offers more financial aid — Johns hopkins or Washington university?
The average aid package is $67,159 at Johns hopkins and $75,604 at Washington university.
Harvard
Stanford
Massachusetts institute of technology
Princeton
Yale
Cornell
Penn
Northwestern
North carolina
Duke