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College Comparison

WashU (St. Louis) vs University of Colorado Boulder: Which is Better?

Side-by-side comparison of acceptance rates, SAT scores, tuition, earnings, and more, updated with the latest College Scorecard data.

School

WashU (St. Louis)

St. Louis, MO

School

University of Colorado Boulder

Boulder, CO

Head-to-Head Stats

MetricWashUCU Boulder
Acceptance Rate12.0%wins83.3%
SAT Range (25th–75th)1500–1570wins1230–1420
ACT Range (25th–75th)33–35wins28–33
Tuition (Out-of-State)$62,982$41,943wins
Avg Net Price$22,117$21,480wins
Median Earnings (10 yr)$86,182wins$69,738
Graduation Rate94.5%wins75.0%
Retention Rate95.9%wins89.2%
Student–Faculty Ratio7:1wins19:1
Total Enrollment7,89731,578wins

Verdict

Based on the data above, WashU edges out CU Boulder on 7 of 10 measurable categories, including key factors like acceptance rate, earnings, and graduation rate. That said, the right choice depends heavily on your major, financial situation, and campus culture fit.

WashU Strengths

  • Acceptance Rate: 12.0%
  • SAT Range (25th–75th): 1500–1570
  • ACT Range (25th–75th): 33–35
  • Median Earnings (10 yr): $86,182

CU Boulder Strengths

  • Tuition (Out-of-State): $41,943
  • Avg Net Price: $21,480
  • Total Enrollment: 31,578

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