ST. LOUIS, MO

CAMBRIDGE, MA

COLLEGE COUNCIL · ATLAS · US UNIVERSITIES

Washington university vs Harvard — US university comparison

WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY

St. Louis, MO

World rank · ARWU#23

Acceptance12.1%

Median SAT1530

Graduation rate94.3%

Median earnings · 10 yrs$86K

HARVARD

Cambridge, MA

World rank · ARWU#1

Acceptance3.6%

Median SAT1553

Graduation rate97.6%

Median earnings · 10 yrs$102K

🔒 UNDERGRADUATE 🔒 GRADUATE

KEY DATA

Washington University in St. Louis Harvard University

#23 World rank · ARWU #1

#69 Rank · THE #3

12.1% Acceptance rate 3.6%

1530 Median SAT 1553

94.3% Graduation rate 97.6%

16,357 Enrollment 21,189

HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS

12.1% Acceptance rate 3.6%

46.7% Yield rate 83.6%

1530 Median SAT 1553

4.20 Avg. GPA 4.20

32,754 Number of applications 54,008

27% Int'l students 25%

At a glance

Harvard leads in 9 of 12 measured metrics

Acceptance12.1% vs 3.6%

Yield46.7% vs 83.6%

Debt$17,500 vs $14,000

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 (#23 vs #1). 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 Washington university for: a larger aid package.

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

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; Washington university and Harvard highlighted. Up and to the left = better value ratio.

FULL DATA TABLE

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is it harder to get into Washington university or Harvard?

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

Do Washington university or Harvard graduates earn more?

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

How much is tuition at Washington university vs Harvard?

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

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

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

Which university ranks higher — Washington university or Harvard?

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

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

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

Compare Washington university 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.