Washington University in St. Louis
ST. LOUIS, MO
University of Toledo
TOLEDO, OH
COLLEGE COUNCIL · ATLAS · US UNIVERSITIES

Washington University vs Toledo - US university comparison

Washington University in St. Louis
WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
St. Louis, MO
World rank · ARWU#23
Acceptance12.1%
Median SAT1540
Graduation rate94.3%
Median earnings · 10 yrs$86K
University of Toledo
TOLEDO
Toledo, OH
World rank · ARWU#601-700
Acceptance92%
Median SAT1235
Graduation rate57%
Median earnings · 10 yrs$51K
🔒 UNDERGRADUATE 🔒 GRADUATE

KEY DATA

Washington University in St. Louis University of Toledo
#23 World rank · ARWU #601-700
#69 Rank · THE -
12.1% Acceptance rate 92%
1540 Median SAT 1235
94.3% Graduation rate 57%
16,357 Enrollment 14,358

HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS

12.1% Acceptance rate 92%
46.7% Yield rate 18.8%
1540 Median SAT 1235
4.19 Avg. GPA -
32,754 Number of applications 11,067
9.4% Int'l students 8%
$86K Median earnings · 10 yrs $51K
$61K Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs $31K
$137K Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs $77K
94.3% Graduation rate 57%
95% Retention rate 77.3%
$17,500 Median debt $22,250
$69,594 Tuition · year $20,164
$75,604 Avg. aid package $14,444
100% % of need met 61%
$26,666 Avg. graduate debt $23,487
$75 Application fee $40
$68,438 Avg. int'l aid $4,861
At a glance
Washington University leads in 9 of 11 measured metrics
Acceptance12.1% vs 92%
Aid$75,604 vs $14,444
Tuition$69,594 vs $20,164

The verdict, from the data

These are two different admissions games: Washington University admits 12.1% of applications, Toledo admits 92%.

For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Washington University awards international students $68,438 on average, Toledo awards $4,861.

The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Washington University starts at $94,289 against $38,986 and ends at $18,685 against $24,542 (Toledo).

The higher median salary ten years after enrolment belongs to Washington University: $86K against $51K.

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 92% acceptance). Washington University ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#23 vs #601-700). Washington University graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($86K vs $51K). Toledo has lower sticker-price tuition ($20,164 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 Toledo 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 92% acceptance); Washington University has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1235).

Graduate outcomes

Washington University graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($86K vs $51K); Washington University has a higher 6-year graduation rate (94.3% vs 57%).

Cost and aid

Toledo has lower sticker-price tuition ($20,164 vs $69,594); Washington University offers a larger average aid package ($75,604 vs $14,444).

VALUE LANDSCAPE

$35k$76k$117k$158k$11k$35k$59k$83kWashington UniversityToledo TUITION · YEAR → MEDIAN EARNINGS · 10 YRS →
Each dot is a comparable US university; Washington University and Toledo highlighted. Up and to the left = better value ratio.

FULL DATA TABLE

Metric Washington University Toledo
World rank · ARWU#23#601-700
Rank · THE#69-
Acceptance rate12.1%92%
Yield rate46.7%18.8%
Median SAT15401235
Avg. GPA4.19-
Number of applications32,75411,067
International students9.4%8%
Median earnings · 10 yrs$86K$51K
Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs$61K$31K
Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs$137K$77K
Graduation rate94.3%57%
Retention rate95%77.3%
Median debt$17,500$22,250
Tuition · year$69,594$20,164
Avg. aid package$75,604$14,444
% of need met100%61%
Avg. graduate debt$26,666$23,487
Application fee$75$40
Enrollment16,35714,358

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is it harder to get into Washington University or Toledo?

It's harder to get into Washington University. Washington University accepts 12.1% of applicants, while Toledo accepts 92%.

Do Washington University or Toledo graduates earn more?

Washington University graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $86K vs $51K.

How much is tuition at Washington University vs Toledo?

Sticker-price tuition is $69,594 per year at Washington University and $20,164 per year at Toledo.

What SAT score do you need for Washington University or Toledo?

The median admitted SAT score is 1540 at Washington University and 1235 at Toledo; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.

Which university ranks higher - Washington University or Toledo?

Washington University ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #23 for Washington University vs #601-700 for Toledo.

Which university offers more financial aid - Washington University or Toledo?

The average aid package is $75,604 at Washington University and $14,444 at Toledo.

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.