Washington University in St Louis Acceptance Rate & Test Scores

St. Louis, MO · Private · 4-year

  • Acceptance rate: 12% for fall 2024
  • SAT, middle 50%: 730–770 reading and writing, 770–800 math
  • ACT, middle 50%: 33–35 composite
  • Average net price: $22,440 a year (2022–23)

Washington University in St Louis GPA calculator 

On this page · 7 sections

How does your GPA compare?

Don't know your GPA? Calculate my GPA

Where you standEnter your GPA

Add a test score to compare it with what Washington University in St Louis reported: an acceptance rate of 12% for fall 2024 and an ACT middle 50% of 33–35.

Plan the grades I need

A guide based on reported data, not a prediction. Washington University in St Louis reviews each application.

Washington University in St Louis GPA requirements

Washington University in St Louis doesn't require a high school GPA from first-year applicants but considers one if it's submitted, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024.

Federal data doesn't include GPA averages, and Washington University in St Louis hasn't published one we could verify, so this page doesn't list an average GPA.

Washington University in St Louis acceptance rate

Washington University in St Louis admitted 3,951 of 32,754 first-year applicants for fall 2024, an acceptance rate of 12%, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Washington University in St Louis is a private nonprofit 4-year university in St. Louis, Missouri, with 8,220 undergraduates.

SAT and ACT scores

Scores of the first-year students who entered Washington University in St Louis in fall 2024 and submitted them. Half of them scored between the 25th and 75th percentiles:

Test25th percentileMedian75th percentile
SAT Reading and Writing730750770
SAT Math770790800
ACT Composite333435
ACT English343535
ACT Math313435
29% submitted SAT scores and 28% submitted ACT scores, as Washington University in St Louis reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

The U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard estimates an average SAT score of 1530 for admitted students.

Admission requirements

What Washington University in St Louis looks at when it decides on first-year applicants, as it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024:

Admission factorStatus
High School RecordYour transcript: the courses you took and the grades you earned.Required
College Preparatory ProgramCompletion of a college preparatory curriculum in high school.Required
RecommendationsLetters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, or other mentors.Required
Essay or Personal StatementA personal statement or essay written for your application.Required
High School GPAYour cumulative high school grade point average.Considered if submitted
High School Class RankYour ranking relative to other students in your graduating class.Considered if submitted
Test ScoresSAT or ACT scores.Considered if submitted
Demonstration of CompetenciesEvidence of specific skills through portfolios, auditions, or other demonstrations.Considered if submitted
Work ExperiencePaid or volunteer work.Considered if submitted
Legacy StatusWhether a parent or other relative attended the college.Considered if submitted
Other TestsOther admission tests, such as the Wonderlic or WISC-III.Not considered
Requirements can differ by program and applicant type, so check with Washington University in St Louis's admissions office before you apply.

AP credit

Washington University in St Louis awards college credit for Advanced Placement (AP) exams, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for 2024–25. The college decides which exams and scores earn credit.

It doesn't award credit for life experience.

Average net price

First-time, full-time undergraduates who received grant or scholarship aid paid an average net price of $22,440 a year at Washington University in St Louis in 2022–23, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

Net price is the full cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships.

Frequently asked questions

Is a 3.5 GPA good enough for Washington University in St Louis?

GPA alone can't tell you here. Washington University in St Louis admitted 12% of first-year applicants for fall 2024. It considers a high school GPA but hasn't published an average we could verify, so there's no admitted-student GPA to compare a 3.5 against. Your transcript and test scores are the clearer guide.

Is Washington University in St Louis hard to get into?

Yes. Fewer than 1 in 4 applicants got in, so it's highly selective. Washington University in St Louis admitted 12% of first-year applicants for fall 2024.

What is the acceptance rate at Washington University in St Louis?

Washington University in St Louis' acceptance rate was 12% for fall 2024: it admitted 3,951 of 32,754 first-year applicants, as it reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

What GPA does Washington University in St Louis look for?

Washington University in St Louis doesn't require a high school GPA but considers one if submitted, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024. It hasn't published an average GPA we could verify, so we don't list one.

What are Washington University in St Louis' SAT and ACT score ranges?

The middle 50% of Washington University in St Louis' fall 2024 first-year students who sent scores had SAT 730–770 in reading and writing and 770–800 in math; ACT composite 33–35, according to what the college reported to the U.S. Department of Education. A quarter scored below that range.

How much does GPA matter at Washington University in St Louis?

It's one factor among several: Washington University in St Louis requires high school record, college preparatory program, recommendations and essay or personal statement. It considers high school GPA, high school class rank, test scores, demonstration of competencies, work experience and legacy status if you send them. It doesn't consider other tests. That's what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024.

Does Washington University in St Louis require the SAT or ACT?

No. Washington University in St Louis is test optional: it considers SAT or ACT scores if you send them, it said in its report to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024. Of its fall 2024 first-year students, 29% sent SAT scores and 28% sent ACT scores.

What do students pay at Washington University in St Louis after grants?

First-time, full-time undergraduates who received grant or scholarship aid paid an average of $22,440 a year at Washington University in St Louis in 2022–23, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships.

Does it matter at Washington University in St Louis if a parent went there?

Yes. Washington University in St Louis considers whether a parent or other relative attended, though it isn't required, according to its filing with the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024.

Does Washington University in St Louis give credit for AP exams?

Yes. Washington University in St Louis awards college credit for Advanced Placement (AP) exams, as it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for 2024–25. The college decides which exams and scores earn credit.

Before you apply, check Washington University in St Louis' official admissions site: requirements can differ by program and change from year to year.

Sources

  1. College Navigator: Washington University in St LouisU.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS (2024–25 provisional data): admissions, test scores and admission factors for fall 2024, undergraduate enrollment for fall 2024, net price for 2022–23 and credit policies for 2024–25.
  2. College Scorecard dataAverage SAT: an estimate by the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (June 10, 2026 release).

Similar colleges in Missouri

With a similar acceptance rate and size.

See all colleges in Missouri →