Washington University vs Stanford - 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: 1540 and 1550.
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 (#23 vs #2). 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 Washington University for: a higher graduation rate, lower graduate debt.
Choose Stanford 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
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 | Washington University | Stanford |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #23 | #2 |
| Rank · THE | #69 | #6 |
| Acceptance rate | 12.1% | 3.8% |
| Yield rate | 46.7% | 79.9% |
| Median SAT | 1540 | 1550 |
| Avg. GPA | 4.19 | 3.94 |
| Number of applications | 32,754 | 60,646 |
| International students | 9.4% | 13.1% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $86K | $124K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $61K | $73K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $137K | $220K |
| Graduation rate | 94.3% | 91.9% |
| Retention rate | 95% | 97.5% |
| Median debt | $17,500 | $12,000 |
| Tuition · year | $69,594 | $68,574 |
| Avg. aid package | $75,604 | $77,279 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $26,666 | $28,507 |
| Application fee | $75 | $100 |
| Enrollment | 16,357 | 18,121 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Washington University or Stanford?
It's harder to get into Stanford. Washington University accepts 12.1% of applicants, while Stanford accepts 3.8%.
Do Washington University or Stanford graduates earn more?
Stanford graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $124K vs $86K.
How much is tuition at Washington University vs Stanford?
Sticker-price tuition is $69,594 per year at Washington University and $68,574 per year at Stanford.
What SAT score do you need for Washington University or Stanford?
The median admitted SAT score is 1540 at Washington University and 1550 at Stanford; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Washington University or Stanford?
Stanford ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #23 for Washington University vs #2 for Stanford.
Which university offers more financial aid - Washington University or Stanford?
The average aid package is $75,604 at Washington University and $77,279 at Stanford.
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