Washington University in St. Louis
ST. LOUIS, MO
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
EDINBURG, TEXAS
COLLEGE COUNCIL · ATLAS · US UNIVERSITIES

Washington university vs Texas rio grande valley — US university comparison

Washington University in St. Louis
WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
St. Louis, MO
World rank · ARWU#23
Acceptance12.1%
Median SAT1530
Graduation rate94.3%
Median earnings · 10 yrs$86K
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
TEXAS RIO GRANDE VALLEY
Edinburg, Texas
World rank · ARWU#801-900
Acceptance94.2%
Median SAT985
Graduation rate50.9%
Median earnings · 10 yrs$50K
🔒 UNDERGRADUATE 🔒 GRADUATE

KEY DATA

Washington University in St. Louis University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
#23 World rank · ARWU #801-900
#69 Rank · THE
12.1% Acceptance rate 94.2%
1530 Median SAT 985
94.3% Graduation rate 50.9%
16,357 Enrollment 31,864

HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS

12.1% Acceptance rate 94.2%
46.7% Yield rate 55.4%
1530 Median SAT 985
4.20 Avg. GPA
32,754 Number of applications 12,137
27% Int'l students 3%
$86K Median earnings · 10 yrs $50K
$88K Avg. earnings · 10 yrs $44K
$137K Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs $67K
94.3% Graduation rate 50.9%
95% Retention rate 78.9%
$17,500 Median debt $12,950
$65,790 Tuition · year $19,827
$75,604 Avg. aid package $11,242
100% % of need met 72%
$26,666 Avg. graduate debt $14,589
$75 Application fee
Avg. int'l aid
At a glance
Washington university leads in 7 of 11 measured metrics
Acceptance12.1% vs 94.2%
Aid$75,604 vs $11,242
Tuition$65,790 vs $19,827

EXPERT TAKE

Washington university is the more selective of the two (12.1% vs 94.2% acceptance). Washington university ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#23 vs #801-900). Washington university graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($86K vs $50K). Texas rio grande valley has lower sticker-price tuition ($19,827 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 higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.

Choose Texas rio grande valley for: lower tuition, lower graduate debt.

College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.

BY THE NUMBERS

Admissions

Washington university is more selective (12.1% vs 94.2% acceptance); Washington university has a higher median SAT (1530 vs 985).

Graduate outcomes

Washington university graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($86K vs $50K); Washington university has a higher 6-year graduation rate (94.3% vs 50.9%).

Cost and aid

Texas rio grande valley has lower sticker-price tuition ($19,827 vs $65,790); Washington university offers a larger average aid package ($75,604 vs $11,242).

VALUE LANDSCAPE

$35k$76k$117k$158k$11k$34k$57k$80kWashington universityTexas rio grande valley TUITION · YEAR → MEDIAN EARNINGS · 10 YRS →
Each dot is a comparable US university; Washington university and Texas rio grande valley highlighted. Up and to the left = better value ratio.

FULL DATA TABLE

Metric Washington university Texas rio grande valley
World rank · ARWU#23#801-900
Rank · THE#69
Acceptance rate12.1%94.2%
Yield rate46.7%55.4%
Median SAT1530985
Avg. GPA4.20
Number of applications32,75412,137
International students27%3%
Median earnings · 10 yrs$86K$50K
Avg. earnings · 10 yrs$88K$44K
Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs$137K$67K
Graduation rate94.3%50.9%
Retention rate95%78.9%
Median debt$17,500$12,950
Tuition · year$65,790$19,827
Avg. aid package$75,604$11,242
% of need met100%72%
Avg. graduate debt$26,666$14,589
Application fee$75
Enrollment16,35731,864

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is it harder to get into Washington university or Texas rio grande valley?

It's harder to get into Washington university. Washington university accepts 12.1% of applicants, while Texas rio grande valley accepts 94.2%.

Do Washington university or Texas rio grande valley graduates earn more?

Washington university graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $86K vs $50K.

How much is tuition at Washington university vs Texas rio grande valley?

Sticker-price tuition is $65,790 per year at Washington university and $19,827 per year at Texas rio grande valley.

What SAT score do you need for Washington university or Texas rio grande valley?

The median admitted SAT score is 1530 at Washington university and 985 at Texas rio grande valley; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.

Which university ranks higher — Washington university or Texas rio grande valley?

Washington university ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #23 for Washington university vs #801-900 for Texas rio grande valley.

Which university offers more financial aid — Washington university or Texas rio grande valley?

The average aid package is $75,604 at Washington university and $11,242 at Texas rio grande valley.

Compare Washington university with
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.