Washington University vs Central Florida - 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: Washington University admits 12.1%, Central Florida admits 44.7%.
The share of international students differs sharply: 9.4% (Washington University) against 3.3% (Central Florida).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Washington University awards international students $68,438 on average, Central Florida awards $928.
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Washington University starts at $94,289 against $42,038 and ends at $18,685 against $30,224 (Central Florida).
None of these figures decides on its own; what decides is which course you want to be on, and on what budget.
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
Washington University is the more selective of the two (12.1% vs 44.71% acceptance). Washington University ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#23 vs #401-500). Washington University graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($86K vs $58K). Central Florida has lower sticker-price tuition ($24,076 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 Washington University for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Central Florida for: lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Washington University is more selective (12.1% vs 44.71% acceptance); Washington University has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1260).
Washington University graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($86K vs $58K); Washington University has a higher 6-year graduation rate (94.3% vs 78%).
Central Florida has lower sticker-price tuition ($24,076 vs $69,594); Washington University offers a larger average aid package ($75,604 vs $11,814).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Washington University | Central Florida |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #23 | #401-500 |
| Rank · THE | #69 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 12.1% | 44.71% |
| Yield rate | 46.7% | 33.5% |
| Median SAT | 1540 | 1260 |
| Avg. GPA | 4.19 | 4.16 |
| Number of applications | 32,754 | 55,135 |
| International students | 9.4% | 3.3% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $86K | $58K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $61K | $39K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $137K | $86K |
| Graduation rate | 94.3% | 78% |
| Retention rate | 95% | 92.3% |
| Median debt | $17,500 | $18,190 |
| Tuition · year | $69,594 | $24,076 |
| Avg. aid package | $75,604 | $11,814 |
| % of need met | 100% | 65% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $26,666 | $20,529 |
| Application fee | $75 | $30 |
| Enrollment | 16,357 | 69,338 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Washington University or Central Florida?
It's harder to get into Washington University. Washington University accepts 12.1% of applicants, while Central Florida accepts 44.71%.
Do Washington University or Central Florida graduates earn more?
Washington University graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $86K vs $58K.
How much is tuition at Washington University vs Central Florida?
Sticker-price tuition is $69,594 per year at Washington University and $24,076 per year at Central Florida.
What SAT score do you need for Washington University or Central Florida?
The median admitted SAT score is 1540 at Washington University and 1260 at Central Florida; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Washington University or Central Florida?
Washington University ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #23 for Washington University vs #401-500 for Central Florida.
Which university offers more financial aid - Washington University or Central Florida?
The average aid package is $75,604 at Washington University and $11,814 at Central Florida.
Harvard
Stanford
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Princeton
Yale
Cornell
Penn
Johns Hopkins
Northwestern
North Carolina