Students at Washington University in St.
Louis achieve some of the strongest financial outcomes in American higher education, with graduates consistently earning far more than peers at comparable institutions.
The university delivers exceptional value across income levels, particularly for the low-income students it serves through generous financial aid.
Washington University in St. Louis stands among the most elite private research universities in the country, delivering exceptional long-term financial outcomes that place it in the top 2% nationally for graduate earnings. With median 10-year earnings of $86,182 and graduates consistently outperforming expectations, WashU represents one of the strongest return-on-investment propositions in American higher education. The university combines academic excellence with remarkable career preparation, particularly in high-paying fields like computer science, finance, and business.
What makes WashU distinctive is its ability to deliver premium outcomes while maintaining relatively manageable debt levels. Despite serving a predominantly affluent student body—only 16% receive Pell Grants—the university provides substantial financial aid that keeps federal loan debt at a reasonable $17,500 for typical borrowers. The institution's "Selective Achievers" profile reflects its combination of limited access with outstanding mobility outcomes for the students it does serve.
As a medium-sized private research university in Missouri, WashU offers the intimate academic environment and extensive resources that drive its exceptional graduate success. The university's strength across multiple high-return disciplines, from computer science to finance, creates a comprehensive platform for students seeking both intellectual challenge and long-term financial security.
Washington University in St. Louis excels across a focused portfolio of high-return academic programs that consistently deliver exceptional career outcomes. Computer Science leads both in scale and financial returns, graduating 180 students annually with median 10-year earnings of $99,517, making it the university's highest aggregate-return program. The combination of strong enrollment and premium outcomes reflects WashU's reputation in technology sectors and its ability to place graduates in competitive positions.
Business and finance programs form another cornerstone of WashU's academic strength. Banking and Financial Support Services represents the largest single program footprint with 160 graduates earning $91,744, while Digital Marketing delivers strong outcomes at $78,896 for its 97 graduates. These programs benefit from the university's extensive alumni networks in major financial centers and its reputation among premium employers in consulting, investment banking, and corporate finance.
Even traditionally lower-earning fields like Biology show the WashU premium, though outcomes vary significantly by career path and graduate school preparation. The university's strength lies not just in individual program excellence but in the comprehensive career services, alumni connections, and academic rigor that elevate outcomes across disciplines. This institutional effect helps explain why WashU graduates consistently outperform expectations regardless of their chosen field of study.
Washington University in St. Louis delivers some of the strongest financial outcomes in American higher education. Graduates earn a median of $86,182 ten years after enrollment, placing the university in the top 2% nationally for long-term earnings. Even more impressive, WashU graduates earn nearly $2,820 more than similar students at comparable institutions, demonstrating the university's exceptional ability to add value beyond what would be expected based on student characteristics alone.
The university's program portfolio drives these outstanding results through a strategic mix of high-return disciplines. Computer Science stands out as the highest aggregate-return program, graduating 180 students annually with median 10-year earnings of $99,517. Banking and Financial Support Services represents the largest program footprint with 160 graduates earning $91,744, while Digital Marketing delivers strong outcomes at $78,896 for its 97 graduates. Even traditionally lower-earning fields like Biology show the WashU premium, though at more modest levels.
What sets WashU apart is the consistency of strong outcomes across its academic portfolio. The university's combination of rigorous academics, extensive alumni networks, and strategic program focus in high-mobility fields creates a platform where graduates routinely exceed national earning expectations. This performance reflects both the caliber of students WashU attracts and the institution's ability to develop and place them in premium career opportunities.
Affordability at Washington University in St. Louis varies dramatically by family income, reflecting the institution's commitment to need-based financial aid alongside its premium positioning. Low-income students pay remarkably little—just $4,391 annually—thanks to generous need-based aid packages that make this elite institution accessible to families with limited resources. Middle-income families see even lower net costs at $1,863 per year, an exceptional value that demonstrates WashU's substantial endowment support.
However, higher-income families face significant costs, with net prices reaching $42,712 annually for those who don't qualify for need-based aid. This pricing structure reflects WashU's strategy of using its substantial resources to support lower-income students while expecting full-pay families to cover the true cost of the premium education. The university's strong financial aid program helps explain why typical federal loan debt remains at a manageable $17,500 despite the high sticker price.
For families who can manage the upfront investment, WashU's affordability equation becomes compelling when viewed through the lens of long-term returns. With graduates earning $86,182 at the 10-year mark and loan repayment rates exceeding 91%, the financial investment typically pays off substantially. The university's zero default rate underscores the financial stability of its graduates and the sustainability of the debt levels students typically carry.
Washington University In St Louis Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
