Washington University vs Virginia - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The lower acceptance rate belongs to Washington University: 12.1% against 16.8% (Virginia).
If you are applying from outside the US, budget without institutional support where there is none: only Washington University reports aid for international students ($68,438 on average), Virginia does not.
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Washington University starts at $94,289 against $80,859 and ends at $18,685 against $43,736 (Virginia).
Candidates with higher SAT scores go to Washington University: a midpoint of 1540 against 1470, a difference of 70 points.
These numbers describe the cohorts already enrolled, not your chances; treat them as a starting point rather than a forecast.
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 16.81% acceptance). Washington University ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#23 vs #201-300). Median earnings 10 years after enrollment are effectively tied ($86K vs $87K). Virginia has lower sticker-price tuition ($62,923 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, a larger aid package.
Choose Virginia for: higher graduate earnings, a higher graduation rate, higher retention.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Washington University is more selective (12.1% vs 16.81% acceptance); Washington University has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1470).
Virginia graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($87K vs $86K); Virginia has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.6% vs 94.3%).
Virginia has lower sticker-price tuition ($62,923 vs $69,594); Washington University offers a larger average aid package ($75,604 vs $37,123).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Washington University | Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #23 | #201-300 |
| Rank · THE | #69 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 12.1% | 16.81% |
| Yield rate | 46.7% | 40% |
| Median SAT | 1540 | 1470 |
| Avg. GPA | 4.19 | - |
| Number of applications | 32,754 | 58,951 |
| International students | 9.4% | 4.9% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $86K | $87K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $61K | $59K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $137K | $130K |
| Graduation rate | 94.3% | 95.6% |
| Retention rate | 95% | 97.9% |
| Median debt | $17,500 | $17,500 |
| Tuition · year | $69,594 | $62,923 |
| Avg. aid package | $75,604 | $37,123 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $26,666 | $25,137 |
| Application fee | $75 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 16,357 | 26,470 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Washington University or Virginia?
It's harder to get into Washington University. Washington University accepts 12.1% of applicants, while Virginia accepts 16.81%.
Do Washington University or Virginia graduates earn more?
Earnings are practically equal - 10 years after enrollment, the median is $86K at Washington University and $87K at Virginia.
How much is tuition at Washington University vs Virginia?
Sticker-price tuition is $69,594 per year at Washington University and $62,923 per year at Virginia.
What SAT score do you need for Washington University or Virginia?
The median admitted SAT score is 1540 at Washington University and 1470 at Virginia; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Washington University or Virginia?
Washington University ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #23 for Washington University vs #201-300 for Virginia.
Which university offers more financial aid - Washington University or Virginia?
The average aid package is $75,604 at Washington University and $37,123 at Virginia.
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