St. Louis, MO · Private University
Is WashU (St. Louis) Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$86,182
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$62,982
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$62,982
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$251,928
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.37x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
4.9 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
94.5%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$17,500
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$22,117
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Washington University in St Louis graduates earn $41,182 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Washington University in St Louis ranked by graduate earnings
54 graduates
68 graduates
16 graduates
18 graduates
30 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Washington University in St Louis
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Washington University in St Louis, the gap between the highest-earning major (Finance and Financial Management Services: $152,625) and the lowest (Area Studies: $30,716) is $121,909/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Finance and Financial Management ServicesBest ROI | $152,625 | 2.4x |
| Computer Science(1yr data) | $110,302 | 1.8x |
| Business/Managerial Economics(1yr data) | $106,701 | 1.7x |
| Chemical Engineering | $92,896 | 1.5x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $85,827 | 1.4x |
| Systems Engineering(1yr data) | $83,874 | 1.3x |
| Economics | $80,729 | 1.3x |
| Mathematics(1yr data) | $79,799 | 1.3x |
| Biology, General | $76,908 | 1.2x |
| Marketing(1yr data) | $70,819 | 1.1x |
| International/Global Studies(1yr data) | $38,854 | 0.6x |
| Research and Experimental Psychology(1yr data) | $37,377 | 0.6x |
| Anthropology(1yr data) | $34,489 | 0.6x |
| Design and Applied Arts(1yr data) | $33,615 | 0.5x |
| Cognitive Science(1yr data) | $30,996 | 0.5x |
| Area StudiesLowest(1yr data) | $30,716 | 0.5x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington University in St Louis | 1.37x | $86,182 | Average ROI |
| Northwestern University | 1.35x | $89,363 | Average ROI |
| Vanderbilt University | 1.43x | $91,565 | Average ROI |
| University of Chicago | 1.37x | $91,885 | Average ROI |
| University of Notre Dame | 1.59x | $99,980 | Good ROI |
| Johns Hopkins University | 1.38x | $87,555 | Average ROI |
The Bottom Line
Washington University in St Louis delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $86,182 10 years after starting — $41,182 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 4.9 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.