Stanford vs Washington University - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
A place is harder to win where the bar sits higher: Stanford admits 3.8%, Washington University admits 12.1%.
Real money goes to international students at Stanford ($85,424 on average), while Washington University stops at $68,438.
Ten years on, graduates of Stanford earn noticeably more: $124K against $86K.
On SAT scores this is the same calibre of applicant: 1550 and 1540.
The indicators describe a university as a whole, and your own course can sit a long way from that average.
Every sentence above comes from a field we hold in canonical. Where the data is missing, or the gap is small enough to be noise, the sentence simply does not appear.
EXPERT TAKE
Stanford is the more selective of the two (3.8% vs 12.1% acceptance). Stanford ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#2 vs #23). Stanford graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($124K vs $86K). Stanford has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,574 vs $69,594 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 Stanford for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Washington University for: a higher graduation rate, lower graduate debt.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Stanford is more selective (3.8% vs 12.1% acceptance); Stanford has a higher median SAT (1550 vs 1540).
Stanford graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($124K vs $86K); Washington University has a higher 6-year graduation rate (94.3% vs 91.9%).
Stanford has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,574 vs $69,594); Stanford offers a larger average aid package ($77,279 vs $75,604).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Stanford | Washington University |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #2 | #23 |
| Rank · THE | #6 | #69 |
| Acceptance rate | 3.8% | 12.1% |
| Yield rate | 79.9% | 46.7% |
| Median SAT | 1550 | 1540 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.94 | 4.19 |
| Number of applications | 60,646 | 32,754 |
| International students | 13.1% | 9.4% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $124K | $86K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $73K | $61K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $220K | $137K |
| Graduation rate | 91.9% | 94.3% |
| Retention rate | 97.5% | 95% |
| Median debt | $12,000 | $17,500 |
| Tuition · year | $68,574 | $69,594 |
| Avg. aid package | $77,279 | $75,604 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $28,507 | $26,666 |
| Application fee | $100 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 18,121 | 16,357 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Stanford or Washington University?
It's harder to get into Stanford. Stanford accepts 3.8% of applicants, while Washington University accepts 12.1%.
Do Stanford or Washington University graduates earn more?
Stanford graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $124K vs $86K.
How much is tuition at Stanford vs Washington University?
Sticker-price tuition is $68,574 per year at Stanford and $69,594 per year at Washington University.
What SAT score do you need for Stanford or Washington University?
The median admitted SAT score is 1550 at Stanford and 1540 at Washington University; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Stanford or Washington University?
Stanford ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #2 for Stanford vs #23 for Washington University.
Which university offers more financial aid - Stanford or Washington University?
The average aid package is $77,279 at Stanford and $75,604 at Washington University.
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