Washington University has a reputation as a premier university — one that enables students to create their own real-world success. At WashU, we know discovery starts with big aspirations and progress comes from passionate persistence. Together with our peers, professors, and alumni, we set out to change the world. We love a good challenge—one that pushes us outside our comfort zone and lets each one of us shine in our own unique way.
Washington University's mission is to discover and disseminate knowledge, and protect the freedom of inquiry through research, teaching, and learning. WashU offers a supportive, and intellectually rigorous environment where students of all identities and backgrounds thrive. Whether you're exploring outside the classroom, participating in one of our 480+ student-led clubs & organizations, conducting hands-on research with our world-renowned faculty, or landing an internship that propels you down your eventual career path: WashU is here to support our students. Our faculty and staff strive to enhance the lives and livelihoods of students, the people of the greater St. Louis community, the country, and the world. Central to our mission are our goals, which are to welcome students, faculty, and staff from all backgrounds to create an inclusive community that is welcoming, nurturing, and intellectually rigorous; to foster excellence in our teaching, research, scholarship, and service; to prepare students with attitudes, skills, and habits of lifelong learning and leadership thereby enabling them to be productive members of a global society; and to be an institution that excels by its accomplishments in our home community, St. Louis, as well as in the nation and the world. Through our goals, Washington University intends to judge itself by the most exacting standards; to attract people of great ability from diverse backgrounds; to encourage faculty and students to be bold, independent, and creative thinkers; to provide an exemplary, respectful, and responsive environment for living, teaching, learning, and working for present and future generations; and to focus on meaningful measurable results for all of our endeavors.
About
From the School
Contact & Visit
Campus Visits Contact
Address
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
Campus Box 1089, One Brookings Drive
St. Louis, MO 63130-4899
Campus Box 1089, One Brookings Drive
St. Louis, MO 63130-4899
Phone
(800) 638-0700
Experience College Life
Most Popular Places On Campus
Kemper Art Museum
Whispers Cafe in Olin Library
Danforth University Center
Brookings Quadrangle
South 40 Residential Area
Whispers Cafe in Olin Library
Danforth University Center
Brookings Quadrangle
South 40 Residential Area
Most Popular Places Off Campus
Forest Park (Zoo and Science Center)
Delmar Loop
Gateway Arch
Cardinals and Blues Sporting Events
Fox Theatre
Delmar Loop
Gateway Arch
Cardinals and Blues Sporting Events
Fox Theatre
Campus Tours
Campus Visiting Center
Monday-Friday and some Saturdays
8:30am-5pm and 9am-2pm
(800) 638-0700
8:30am-5pm and 9am-2pm
(800) 638-0700
Campus Tours
Appointment Required: Yes
Dates: Year-round
Times: Varies
Average Length: 1 hour
Dates: Year-round
Times: Varies
Average Length: 1 hour
On Campus Interview
Campus Interviews
Yes
Information Sessions
Available
Times
Year-Round
Faculty and Coach Visits
Dates/Times Available
Academic Year
Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office
Advance Notice
2 weeks
Contact Email Address for Visit
visit@wustl.edu
Class Visits
Dates/Times Available
Academic Year
Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office
Overnight Dorm Stays
Overnight Dorm Stays
Not Available
Limitations
Only available for special visit programs
Transportation
Types of Transportation Available to Campus
Lambert-St. Louis International Airport is approximately 10 miles from campus. Taxis are available for the ride from the airport to campus. A 24-hour taxi service is located directly across from the baggage claim area. The MetroLink Light Rail System also provides light rail service from the airport to campus.
Driving Instructions to Campus
Please visit https://admissions.wustl.edu and click on "Visit Us" for detailed directions to campus.
Local Accommodations
If you're planning on staying overnight, some local hotel accommodations include the Knight Center on the Washington University Campus (866-933-9400 or 314-933-9400), Drury Inn & Suites Brentwood (800-378-7946 or 314-968-3704), Hampton Inn and Suites Clayton/St. Louis-Galleria Area (314-727-0700), Homewood Suites by Hilton St. Louis Galleria (800-225-5466 or 314-863-7700), Moonrise Hotel (314-721-1111), Ritz-Carlton in St. Louis (800-241-3333 or 314-863-6300), and The Chase Park Plaza Royal Sonesta St. Louis (314-633-3000).
Save SchoolAdmissions
Admissions
Overall
From The School
We take your application for admission to Washington University very seriously. Admission to WashU is both selective and competitive. Our Admissions Committee reviews a large quantity of qualified and talented students each year, reviewing every applicant individually with a holistic perspective.
Students who come to WashU have challenged themselves in their academics and extracurricular activities during their high school years. We are looking for students with a high school diploma or equivalent who took a challenging college-preparatory curriculum in high school complemented by extracurricular activities, community service, and work experience. Your senior-year transcript should show that you continue to take demanding courses. Most applicants take advantage of honors, advanced placement, and International Baccalaureate courses, if offered by their high schools.
Students may apply to WashU using either the Common Application or Coalition Application. Applicants are asked to submit a supplemental essay in addition to the Common Application or Coalition Application Personal Essay. This supplemental essay will allow you to further express your interest in your academic area of choice. Your support materials and supplemental essay can be completed at a later date.
First-year and transfer applicants to the College of Art are required to submit a portfolio of their work. Portfolios are also encouraged for students applying to the College of Architecture. Interview and videos are optional and not required as part of the admissions application process. We offer these opportunities as a way for first-year applicants to tell us more about themselves.
The $75 nonrefundable application fee is required to complete your application. You may pay the application fee using a credit card when you submit either the Common Application or Coalition Application. As part of Washington University's commitment to meeting 100 percent of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students, we are happy to waive our $75 application fee when it presents a financial hardship. Please see our website for details.
We offer first-year applicants a choice of three decision plans – Early Decision I, Early Decision II, and Regular Decision. If WashU is clearly your first-choice school, we encourage you to apply under the Early Decision option. Early Decision I and Early Decision II candidates receive admission and financial aid decisions earlier than regular decision candidates. WashU will meet 100% of the demonstrated financial need for all admitted students, regardless of your chosen decision plan. The academic scholarship process is separate – scholarship decisions are not made until well after the Early Decision notification dates. Your Early Decision application is a binding commitment that you will attend WashU if admitted. Early Decision candidates and their counselors and a parent or guardian must sign the Early Decision commitment statement on the application.
WashU is a proud QuestBridge campus partner. We believe that all talented students should have access to higher education regardless of their financial background—which is why we've partnered with QuestBridge, a leading nonprofit that connects high-achieving, low-income students to the nations best colleges. Please visit the QuestBridge website for eligibility requirements.
Overview
Applicants: 25,426
Acceptance Rate: 14%
Average HS GPA: 4.17
GPA Breakdown
24%
Over 3.75
10%
3.50 - 3.74
3%
3.25 - 3.49
1%
3.00 - 3.24
Need to boost your grades? We can help.
Learn MoreSAT & ACT Test Scores
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
25th-75th percentile
(enrolled students)
(enrolled students)
720 - 760
SAT Math
25th-75th percentile
(enrolled students)
(enrolled students)
760 - 800
ACT Composite Scores
25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)
33 - 35
Testing Policies
Yes
Yes
ACT Writing Policy
ACT with or without Writing accepted
SAT Essay Policy
SAT with or without Writing accepted
Deadlines
Early Decision — November 1
Early Decision II — January 2
Regular — January 2
Other Admission Factors
Academic
Rigor of Secondary School Record
Class Rank
Academic GPA
Standardized Test Scores
Application Essay
Recommendation(s)
Non-Academic
Extracurricular Activities
Talent / Ability
Character / Personal Qualities
Volunteer Work
Work Experience
Level of applicant's interest
Selectivity Rating
Get a personalized plan for a competitive application from an admissions expert.
Learn MoreAcademics
Academics
Overall
From The School
Academic Programs
Special Programs
The Beyond Boundaries Program helps talented, self-initiated, and self-motivated students become creative problem solvers and insightful scholars who are prepared to pursue their own broad interdisciplinary interests. This unique educational experience requires collaboration across academic disciplines and perspectives, drawing on the strength and interconnectedness of the university's seven schools.
The Bachelor of Science in Business and Computer Science is an integrated joint degree program offered through the Olin Business School and the McKelvey School of Engineering. Students in this program will be equipped with the fundamental knowledge and perspectives of computer science and business and will have unique opportunities to converge these two disciplines. This is a distinctive degree program that captures the intersection of business and computer science and the growing demand for people with this special and sought-after skillset.
Research
Over 50% of undergraduate students participate in research alongside faculty who are leaders in their field. Twice a year, the Office of Undergraduate Research presents the Undergraduate Research Symposium. This is a forum for students to present their research findings and a celebration of the diversity of research that takes place at WashU.
Study Abroad
You are encouraged to infuse global experiences into all aspects of your education, and about 40% of WashU undergraduates in all divisions learn through study abroad opportunities and internships in more than 50 countries each year.
Majors and Degrees Offered
WashUs undergraduate program comprises five undergraduate schools: The College of Arts & Sciences, Olin Business School, McKelvey School of Engineering, and the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts (College of Art and College of Architecture)
WashU offers 90+ fields of study, a variety of academic programs, and 1,500+ courses. About 80% of students will pursue multiple majors and/or minors or simply take classes in subjects that interest them, embracing interdisciplinary learning.
The student-to-faculty ratio is 7:1. Whether you choose a traditional path or pursue your interests across disciplines, the faculty will inspire your intellectual, personal, and professional growth during your time at WashU and beyond.
Faculty and Class Information
Student/Faculty
7:1
Total Faculty
1,510
with Terminal Degree
893
Men
617
Women
345
Minority
Most frequent class size
10 - 19
Most frequent lab / sub section size
10 - 19
Graduation Rates
Graduate in 4 years
88%
Graduate in 5 years
94%
Graduate in 6 years
95%
Majors
-
AGRICULTURE, AGRICULTURE OPERATIONS, AND RELATED SCIENCES.
Agriculture, General.
-
ARCHITECTURE AND RELATED SERVICES.
Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology.
Architectural Technology/Technician.
Architecture.
-
AREA, ETHNIC, CULTURAL, GENDER, AND GROUP STUDIES.
African-American/Black Studies.
American/United States Studies/Civilization.
Area Studies, Other.
East Asian Studies.
European Studies/Civilization.
Latin American Studies.
Near and Middle Eastern Studies.
Women's Studies.
-
BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES.
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Other.
Biochemistry.
Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other.
Biology/Biological Sciences, General.
Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology, Other.
Biophysics.
Ecology.
Environmental Biology.
Microbiology, General.
Neuroscience.
-
BUSINESS, MANAGEMENT, MARKETING, AND RELATED SUPPORT SERVICES.
Accounting.
Business Administration and Management, General.
Business Administration, Management and Operations, Other.
Business/Managerial Economics.
Entrepreneurship/Entrepreneurial Studies.
Finance, General.
Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General.
Marketing/Marketing Management, General.
Operations Management and Supervision.
-
COMMUNICATION, JOURNALISM, AND RELATED PROGRAMS.
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other.
Journalism.
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication.
-
COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES AND SUPPORT SERVICES.
Computer and Information Sciences, General.
Computer Programming/Programmer, General.
Computer Science.
Computer Systems Analysis/Analyst.
-
EDUCATION.
Art Teacher Education.
Biology Teacher Education.
Chemistry Teacher Education.
Drama and Dance Teacher Education.
Education, General.
Education, Other.
Elementary Education and Teaching.
English/Language Arts Teacher Education.
French Language Teacher Education.
German Language Teacher Education.
History Teacher Education.
Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching.
Mathematics Teacher Education.
Physics Teacher Education.
Science Teacher Education/General Science Teacher Education.
Secondary Education and Teaching.
Social Science Teacher Education.
Social Studies Teacher Education.
Spanish Language Teacher Education.
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods, Other.
-
ENGINEERING.
Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering.
Chemical Engineering.
Computer Engineering, General.
Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Engineering, General.
Engineering, Other.
Mechanical Engineering.
Systems Engineering.
-
ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS.
Creative Writing.
English Language and Literature, General.
English Language and Literature/Letters, Other.
-
FOREIGN LANGUAGES, LITERATURES, AND LINGUISTICS.
Arabic Language and Literature.
Chinese Language and Literature.
Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General.
Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics.
Comparative Literature.
French Language and Literature.
Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General.
Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics.
Italian Language and Literature.
Japanese Language and Literature.
Linguistics.
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General.
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics.
Spanish Language and Literature.
-
HEALTH PROFESSIONS AND RELATED PROGRAMS.
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other.
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General.
Health/Health Care Administration/Management.
Medicine.
Pre-Dentistry Studies.
Pre-Medicine/Pre-Medical Studies.
Pre-Pharmacy Studies.
-
HISTORY.
History, General.
-
LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES, GENERAL STUDIES AND HUMANITIES.
Humanities/Humanistic Studies.
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Other.
Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies.
-
MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS.
Applied Mathematics, General.
Mathematics, General.
Mathematics, Other.
Statistics, General.
-
MULTI/INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES.
Ancient Studies/Civilization.
Biological and Physical Sciences.
Biopsychology.
Cognitive Science.
International/Global Studies.
Mathematics and Computer Science.
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other.
Science, Technology and Society.
Sustainability Studies.
Systems Science and Theory.
-
NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION.
Environmental Science.
Environmental Studies.
Natural Resources Management and Policy.
-
PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES.
Philosophy and Religious Studies, Other.
Philosophy, Other.
Philosophy.
Religion/Religious Studies.
-
PHYSICAL SCIENCES.
Chemistry, General.
Chemistry, Other.
Geochemistry.
Geology/Earth Science, General.
Geophysics and Seismology.
Physical Sciences.
Physics, General.
-
PSYCHOLOGY.
Cognitive Psychology and Psycholinguistics.
Experimental Psychology.
Industrial and Organizational Psychology.
Psychology, General.
Psychology, Other.
-
SOCIAL SCIENCES.
Anthropology.
Archeology.
Econometrics and Quantitative Economics.
Economics, General.
International Relations and Affairs.
Medical Anthropology.
Political Science and Government, General.
Social Sciences, General.
Social Sciences, Other.
Sociology.
Urban Studies/Affairs.
-
VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS.
Art History, Criticism and Conservation.
Ceramic Arts and Ceramics.
Design and Visual Communications, General.
Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General.
Fashion/Apparel Design.
Film/Cinema/Video Studies.
Film/Video and Photographic Arts, Other.
Fine Arts and Art Studies, Other.
Fine/Studio Arts, General.
Graphic Design.
Illustration.
Music, General.
Painting.
Photography.
Printmaking.
Sculpture.
Students Say
Wide-ranging exploration and customized learning are the driving forces at Washington University in St. Louis. There's an “academic flexibility” that allows undergrads to explore many different areas of study and find their passions. WashU focuses on the balanced student: “academically involved, part of many student groups, really immersed in the culture here.” The “collaborative culture” is apparent in all aspects of the school, and because students here are so dedicated to their studies, there are “many clubs dedicated to specific areas” of academics, as well as research opportunities. The school’s Center for Experiential Learning lets students put their learnings into practice and consult with actual companies or create mock business, and it is “easy to switch schools and majors” for students that find a new interest pulling them. Even first-year seminars “sometimes include out-of-class components like research or travel,” and the school encourages civic engagement like local service projects, even building them into some classes. Additionally, around 40 percent of students study abroad during their time at WashU.
Academics are “great, but incredibly difficult,” but the support systems in place for first-year students “help ease the college transition immensely,” and the administration “deeply cares about the well-being of the students.” For classes that need more resources (such as introductory courses like chemistry, biology, physics), there are “homework help sessions and tutoring groups that you can access easily.” Professors are similarly “wonderful” and “encourage building personal relationships.” Students particularly love the real-world applications of their classes: “We get to work with real companies, choose semester-long projects that interest our teams, and enjoy the humor that our professors bring to lectures.” Best of all, for almost any program a student chooses to pursue, there is “flexibility so you can major or minor or take classes across schools without red tape.”
Degrees
Associate
Bachelor's
Certificate
Doctoral
Doctoral/Professional
Doctoral/Research
Master's
Post-Bachelor's certificate
Post-Master's certificate
Bachelor's
Certificate
Doctoral
Doctoral/Professional
Doctoral/Research
Master's
Post-Bachelor's certificate
Post-Master's certificate
Career Services
On-Campus Job Interviews Available
Yes
Career Services
Alumni Network
Alumni Services
Classes
Interest Inventory
Internships
Regional Alumni
Opportunities at School
Coop
Experiential
Internship
Notable Faculty
Prominent Alumni
Jim McKelvey
Founder of Square, Launch CODE
Morgan DeBaun
Founder of Blavity
Cheree Berry
Founder of Cheree Berry Paper Studio
Arnold Donald
CEO, Carnival Corporation
Academic Rating
92/99
Careers
Careers
Graduation Rates
Graduate in 4 years
88%
Graduate in 5 years
94%
Graduate in 6 years
95%
Career Services
On-Campus Job Interviews Available
Yes
Career Services
Alumni Network
Alumni Services
Classes
Interest Inventory
Internships
Regional Alumni
Opportunities at School
Coop
Experiential
Internship
ROI & Outcomes
Information from PayScale:
Starting Median Salary (Up to Bachelor's degree completed, only)
$64,800
Mid-Career Median Salary (Up to Bachelor's degree completed, only)
$114,900
Starting Median Salary (At least Bachelor's degree)
$67,300
Mid-Career Median Salary (At least Bachelor's degree)
$123,500
Percent High Job Meaning
31%
Percent STEM
47%
Students Say
The WashU Career Center hosts an Internship & Job Career Fair twice a year and even offers preparatory workshops leading up to it; it also maintains an online recruiting platform called CAREERlink where students can search for jobs, co-ops, and internships. There are a limited number of stipends available for students who wish to take unpaid internships over the summer, and academic credit is also available. Additionally, Career Interest Groups help aggregate all of the information about specific career paths, putting students, staff, faculty, and alumni in touch to create smaller communities and share guidance. “I have … found the alumni network to be extremely strong and supportive through my recruitment processes,” says a student. There are “great global opportunities” at WashU as well, and around 45 percent of students study abroad at some point.
Excerpt from Colleges That Create Futures
Every faculty member and administrator we asked about career preparation at WashU could easily rattle off the success stories of their former students. There's Laura Javier, a designer at Facebook who was recently named one of 2016's most creative people in business for her work on Facebook's Moments application. The 2011 graduate credits WashU's communication design program and two specific mentors with the success she's had early in her career. Jim McKelvey, who graduated in 1987 with degrees in computer science and economics is co-founder of Square, the credit card processor that allows businesses to take cards anywhere. McKelvey also founded LaunchCode, which opens doors to technology jobs through education, training, and placement. LaunchCode, located in St. Louis, often hires WashU students as interns. Aaron Samuels says WashU taught him that "picking a career path didn't mean choosing one part of [himself]." Samuels, who graduated in 2011 with degrees in business administration and philosophy has always had varied interests, and his post-graduation positions have been just as varied—on Wall Street, in poetry, and as a tech company co-founder. And 2015 graduate Danica Yu is working as a recruiting coordinator at Google Inc. Yu's degrees are in environmental policy and anthropology, and her experience during college was primarily in the field of sustainability. She demonstrates that a WashU education will get you far, regardless of what it is you study here. A chemistry major sums it up: "WashU prepares you for a variety of different careers. It's not just good at being a pre-med school. You have options in business, art, architecture, and engineering...It prepares you to think critically and handle a variety of situations."
Tuition & Aid
Tuition & Aid
Overview
From The School
Tuition, Room, Board and Fees
Tuition: $43,500
Financial Aid
Cost will not be a barrier
We meet 100 percent of demonstrated need for all admitted students, including a no-loan policy for families who earn $75,000 or less, with scholarships and grants that offset initial college costs. The WashU Pledge, a new initiative announced in 2019, opens doors for under-resourced students in Missouri and southern Illinois who can attend WashU for free. Counselors from Student Financial Services work with students and their families to ensure that a WashU education is not out of reach.
Merit-based academic scholarships
Washington University is committed to helping talented students who show exceptional academic performance and outstanding promise. Our merit-based academic scholarships offer financial aid based primarily on academic achievement.
All first-year applicants are automatically considered for these divisional scholarships based on the supplemental WashU essay. If you wish to be considered for one for our Signature Scholar Programs—Danforth, Ervin, or Rodriguez—you must submit separate applications through the WashU Pathway.
Dates
Application Deadlines
Feb 1
Notification Date
Apr 1
Required Forms
FAFSA
Forms CSSProfile
Forms Divorced Parent
Forms CSSProfile
Forms Divorced Parent
Financial Aid Statistics
Average Freshman Total Need-Based Gift Aid
$51,449
Average Undergraduate Total Need-Based Gift Aid
$50,725
Average Need-Based Loan
$4,277
Undergraduates who have borrowed through any loan program
28%
Average amount of loan debt per graduate
$24,247
Average amount of each freshman scholarship/grant package
$54,751
Financial aid provided to international students
Yes
Expenses per Academic Year
Tuition
$56,300
Required Fees
$1,086
Average Cost for Books and Supplies
$1,144
Tuition / Fees Vary by Year of Study
No
Board for Commuters
$4,492
Transportation for Commuters
$1,664
On-Campus Room and Board
$17,402
Comprehensive Fee
Available Aid
Financial Aid Methodology
Institutional
Scholarships and Grants
Need-Based
Need-Based College/University Scholarship or Grant Aid from Institutional Funds
Need-Based Federal Pell
Need-Based Private Scholarships
Need-Based SEOG
Need-Based State Scholarships
Need-Based United Negro College Fund
Non-Need-Based
Institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid is available
Federal Direct Student Loan Programs
Direct PLUS Loans
Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans
Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans
Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans
Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans
Federal Family Education Loan Programs (FFEL)
College/university loans from institutional funds
State Loans
State Loans
Is Institutional Employment Available (other than Federal Work Study)
Yes
Direct Lender
No
Financial Aid Rating
99/99
Student Body
Student Body
Overall
From The School
WashU students are driven and ambitious but also collaborative. You'll find that your peers will cheer you on, encouraging your success and also pushing you to leave your comfort zone, both inside and outside of the classroom.
You can join one of WashUs 480+ clubs and organizations, travel and learn through study abroad programs, and have the opportunity to participate in cutting-edge research alongside professors who are leaders in their fields.
The Gephardt Institute for Civic and Community Engagement cultivates informed and actively engaged citizens. Community service is a natural part of life at WashU, with approximately 60% of students engaging in a wide range of service projects.
Student Body Profile
Total Undergraduate Enrollment
7,822
Foreign Countries Represented
47
Demographics
16.36%
Asian
9.36%
African-American
9.90%
Hispanic
49.15%
Caucasian
2.26%
Unknown
7.56%
International
54% female
46% male
89% are out of state
91% are full time
9% are part time
Students Say
WashU’s population is “small enough to walk around campus and say hi to a lot of people, but you can still meet new people every day.” Everyone here is “passionate about something,” and that passion is “contagious and highly motivating, especially at such a collaborative environment.” There is a “diverse student body racially and religiously,” and they are the most “genuine, down-to-earth, driven, non-competitive, outgoing student population” on top of being “intellectually curious, multi-talented, and engaged with the world around them.” Above all, what really sets WashU apart is something called the “nice factor,” where “students across all disciplines are collaborative in their work and kind to others.” People “build each other up here and cheer each other on, and it really creates a community.”
Campus Life
Campus Life
Overview
From The School
Location
Washington University offers a nurturing, yet intellectually rigorous, environment where students from all identities and backgrounds thrive. On campus and across the world, you will find talented, inspiring WashU students and faculty developing big ideas and pushing the boundaries on what it means to learn.
Campus Facilities & Equipment
Located in the heart of St. Louis, WashUs 169 acres are comprised of top-of-the-line buildings, laboratories, classrooms, and libraries—all of which foster a sense of community, creativity, and collaboration.
Your first WashU home will be located on the South 40—a vibrant residential community on campus, complete with residential colleges, great food, fitness facilities, study areas, and student-run businesses. Our nationally-ranked dining program offers diverse cuisines from around the world.
Off-Campus Opportunities
St. Louis offers the ideal balance of small-town feel and big city opportunities. You'll have endless options when it comes to dining, entertainment, sports, cultural attractions, shopping, and more—not to mention internships at top nonprofit organizations and Fortune 500 companies.
Campus Life
Undergrads living on campus
72%
Help finding off-campus housing
Yes
95/99
First-Year Students living on campus
100%
Campus Environment
Small Urban
97/99
Housing Options
Apartment Married
Apartment Single
Cooperative
Disabled Student
Apartment Single
Cooperative
Disabled Student
Dorms Coed
Frat Sorority
International Student
Other
Theme Housing
Frat Sorority
International Student
Other
Theme Housing
Students Say
WashU is “the package deal. Great academics, amazing extracurricular activities, and the best people.” There’s “always funding for student groups, student initiatives, university-run activities, research, and the infrastructure is “unmatched”: “Dorms are five-star hotels, food is delicious with tons of variety, [and] the buildings are gorgeous.” The campus is also stunning, and “there is beautiful architecture, both historic and modern, and excellent maintenance of plant life.” Campus life is “exciting and lively,” and people are busy: “very few people do nothing for more than two hours per day.” The “library is always filled, people are always playing Frisbee on the open fields,” and “everyone is involved in multiple extracurricular activities.” On the weekends students will go to the Loop (a stretch of restaurants near campus) for dinner with friends, or “older students go out to bars or clubs.” The social scene is “largely Greek life-based,” though big clubs or student groups also have “a very strong social aspect.” The greater St. Louis area is a destination in itself, and people will often run in Forest Park or go exploring things “like music festivals or the local food scene.” Brunch is a “super popular weekend option for getting off campus,” and all students receive a free train and public transportation pass to make getting off campus possible.
Special Needs Admissions
Program / Service Name
Disability Resources
Type of Program
For all students with disabilities
College Entrance Tests Required
Yes
Interview Required
No
Special Need Services Offered
Calculator allowed in exams
Yes
Dictionary allowed in exams
Yes
Computer allowed in exams
Yes
Spellchecker allowed in exams
Yes
Extended test time
Yes
Scribes
Yes
Proctors
Yes
Oral exams
Yes
Notetakers
Yes
Distraction-free environment
Yes
Accommodation for students with ADHD
Yes
Reading machine
Yes
Other assistive technology
Yes
Student Activities
Registered Student Organizations
380
Number of Honor Societies
22
Number of Social Sororities
10
Number of Religious Organizations
20
26% join a fraternity
39% join a sorority
Sports
Athletic Division
Division III
33% participate in intramural sports
7% participate in intercollegiate sports
Men's Sports (Bears)
10 Sports
Baseball
Basketball
Cross Country
Diving
Football
Soccer
Swimming
Tennis
Track Field Indoor
Track Field Outdoor
Basketball
Cross Country
Diving
Football
Soccer
Swimming
Tennis
Track Field Indoor
Track Field Outdoor
Women's Sports (Bears)
11 Sports
Basketball
Cross Country
Diving
Golf
Soccer
Softball
Swimming
Tennis
Track Field Indoor
Track Field Outdoor
Volleyball
Cross Country
Diving
Golf
Soccer
Softball
Swimming
Tennis
Track Field Indoor
Track Field Outdoor
Volleyball
Student Services
Health
LGBT Support Groups
Army ROTC Offered on-campus
Air Force ROTC Offered at cooperating institutions: St. Louis University
LGBT Support Groups
Minority Support Groups: The Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI) provides support and advocacy for students from traditionally underrepresented or marginalized populations. The CDI also creates collaborative partnerships with campus community stakeholders, and the CDI promotes dialogue and social change among all students.
For more information, please visit: https://diversity.wustl.edu
The Office of Student Success also provides support through the Deneb STARS (Sustaining Talented Academically Recognized Students) program. This program forms a cohort-based community for low-income and first generation students, and also develops students as leaders both within and beyond the Deneb STARS community.
For more information, please visit: https://studentsuccess.wustl.edu
Army ROTC Offered on-campus
Air Force ROTC Offered at cooperating institutions: St. Louis University
Sustainability
One of the country’s leading universities, Washington University’s commitment to sustainability is woven throughout all aspects of the campus experience – including hundreds of sustainability-related courses, hands-on research opportunities, tens of student green groups, and a strong campus culture of sustainability. At the global-scale, the university’s International Center for Advanced Renewable Energy and Sustainability and the McDonnel International Scholars Academy work to address sustainability issues through collaborative research with 28 partner universities throughout the world. Wash U’s Danforth and Medical Campuses are currently home to 20 LEED certified projects, including a new major LEED Platinum student housing complex, the Lofts, as well as nine LEED Gold buildings. The university is also home to the Living Learning Center, a net zero energy and water building and the world's first to achieve Living Building Challenge certification. In 2010, the University committed to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, a 22 percent reduction, without the use of carbon offsets. In 2014 alone, Wash U. invested over $5 million in energy efficiency and significantly expanded its commitment to renewable energy, installing over 1,600 solar panels. Seventeen percent of food served on campus comes from local producers, in addition to fair trade coffees and teas, cage-free eggs, antibiotic-free and grass-fed hamburger meat and sustainably harvested seafood. Most major campus events are now zero waste, diverting more than 90 percent of the waste from the landfill through composting and recycling. And it’s easy to go car-free at Wash U. with lightrail and bus stops on each campus and free transit passes for all full-timers. The two campuses are separated by a world-class park, Forest Park, and both feature a robust car-share program, bike repair stands, and connections to greenways.
96/99
AASHE STARS® rating
Gold
School Has Formal Sustainability Committee
Yes
Sustainability-focused degree available
Yes
School employs a sustainability officer
Yes
Public GHG inventory plan
Yes
% food budget spent on local/organic food
21%
Available Transportation Alternatives
Car Sharing Program
Yes
Carpool/Vanpool Matching Program
Yes
Condensed Work Week Option For Employees
Yes
Free Or Reduced Price Transit Passes And/Or Free Campus Shuttle
Yes
Incentives Or Programs To Encourage Employees To Live Close To Campus
Yes
Indoor And Secure Bike Storage, Shower Facilities, And Lockers For Bicycle Commuters
Yes
Reduced Parking Fees For Car And Van Poolers
Yes
School Adopted A Policy Prohibiting Idling
Yes
School Developed Bicycle Plan
Yes
School Offers A Telecommute Program For Employees
Yes
Data provided by Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), STARS®, as of March, 2020.
Campus Security Report
Campus Security Report
The Jeanne Clery Act requires colleges and universities to disclose their security policies, keep a public crime log, publish an annual crime report and provide timely warnings to students and campus employees about a crime posing an immediate or ongoing threat to students and campus employees.
Please visit The Princeton Review’s page on campus safety for additional resources: http://www.princetonreview.com/safety
The Princeton Review publishes links directly to each school's Campus Security Reports where available. Applicants can also access all school-specific campus safety information using the Campus Safety and Security Data Analysis Cutting Tool provided by the Office of Postsecondary Education of the U.S. Department of Education: http://ope.ed.gov/security
Other Information
Campus-wide Internet Network
Yes
% of Classrooms with Wireless Internet
99
Fee for Network Use
No
Partnerships with Technology Companies
No
Personal computer included in tuition for each student
No
Discounts Available with Hardware Vendors
Yes
Description
Dell, CDW, GovConnection, Insight, World Wide Technologies, and JMA Information Technology (Juniper Networks)
