Cost & ROI · 2026

Is Washington University in St Louis worth it?

Pay $21,786/yr after aid. Graduates earn a median of $86,182 ten years out — about 4.0× the annual cost. EduGradify value grade: B.

Net price $21,786 per year, after aid

Earnings 10y $86,182 median, post-enrollment

Median debt $17,500 ≈ $190/mo

B Top 29% Exceptional Investment

The ROI math, in 30 seconds

$21,786 × 4 years = $87,144 total cost

→

$86,182 / year earned 10 years after enrolling

9.89 ROI score Grade B · Top 29% value

Benchmarks

Washington University in St Louis vs Missouri avg vs national avg

How this school stacks up against the typical Missouri college and the typical US college.

Metric	Washington University in St Louis	Missouri avg	National avg
Avg net price	▼ $21,786	$17,622	$18,467
Median earnings 10y	▲ $86,182	$48,522	$50,834
Median debt	▲ $17,500	$18,954	$19,694
Graduation rate	▲ 94.3%	51%	49.9%
Acceptance rate	▼ 12.1%	72.6%	72.3%

Hidden cost

What you actually pay, by family income

Net price after grants and scholarships changes a lot depending on family income. Find your bracket.

$0 – $30k Low income

$1,716 per year

$30k – $48k Lower-middle

$1,928 per year

$48k – $75k Middle

$5,578 per year

$75k – $110k Upper-middle

$12,603 per year

$110k+ High income

$42,170 per year

Total cost

4-year cost projection

Estimated net price each year through graduation, assuming a typical 3% annual tuition increase.

Year 1 $21,786 2026–2027

Year 2 $22,440 2027–2028

Year 3 $23,113 2028–2029

Year 4 $23,806 2029–2030

4-year total $91,145 net of expected aid

Sticker price (without aid) would run roughly $353,952 over four years. Most students get $66,702/yr in grants and scholarships.

Debt math

Loan repayment scenarios

If you borrow the median $17,500 at a 6.5% federal rate, here's what each repayment plan looks like.

10-year standard plan $190/mo Total paid: $22,800

15-year extended $143/mo Total paid: $25,740

20-year extended $120/mo Total paid: $28,800

Debt-to-earnings: 20% of one year's median pay. Financial advisors recommend keeping student debt under 100% of expected first-year salary. You're well below that threshold.

Lifetime impact

Lifetime earnings boost vs no degree

Over a typical 40-year career, the median Washington University in St Louis grad earns about $1,647,280 more than a high school graduate (assuming HS median ≈ $45k/yr, BLS).

Annual earnings advantage +$41,182 vs HS-only median

Career-long boost $1,647,280 40-year horizon, today's dollars

Net of 4-year cost $1,560,136 after paying $87,144 for the degree

Caveat: this is a population median, not a guarantee. Actual outcomes vary widely by major, career path, and individual choices. We're showing the median to set realistic expectations.

The verdict

What the numbers say about Washington University in St Louis

The average student at Washington University in St Louis pays $21,786 a year after grants and scholarships, against a $88,488 published sticker price. That is above the MO average net price of $17,622.

Ten years after entry, graduates earn a median of $86,182 — above the MO median of $48,522. Weighed against what students actually pay, EduGradify models this as an exceptional investment.

Typical graduates borrow about $17,500, roughly $190 a month on a standard ten-year plan — a manageable load at about 20% of one year's median earnings.

Smart alternatives

Cheaper Missouri colleges with comparable outcomes

Same state, at least 20% lower net price, with earnings within reach of Washington University in St Louis.

Rolla, MO · Public Missouri University of Science and Technology A

Value Top 18%

Selectivity 72.6% admit

$16,298 net price $82,957 earnings

Frequently asked

Cost & ROI questions

What is the net price at Washington University in St Louis?

The average net price — what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — is $21,786 per year. That's $66,702/yr in financial aid against the $88,488 sticker price. Over four years, that adds up to roughly $87,144.

How much do Washington University in St Louis graduates earn?

Ten years after enrolling, Washington University in St Louis graduates earn a median of $86,182 per year — above the national average of $50,834. That's about 4.0× the annual net cost.

How much debt do Washington University in St Louis graduates take on?

Median federal loan debt at graduation is $17,500 — about $190/month on a standard 10-year repayment plan (assuming a 6.5% federal rate). 11.8% of students take federal loans.

Is Washington University in St Louis worth the cost?

EduGradify assigns Washington University in St Louis a value grade of B — top 29% on real ROI nationally. The math: pay $21,786/yr, earn $86,182/yr ten years out, ROI score of 9.89. Exceptional Investment.

What financial aid is available at Washington University in St Louis?

17.8% of students receive federal Pell Grants (need-based federal aid). 11.8% take federal student loans. On average, students get $66,702 per year in grants and scholarships off the sticker price.

What's the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at Washington University in St Louis?

In-state tuition is $65,790 per year. Out-of-state tuition is $65,790 per year — a difference of $0/yr or $0 over four years.

How does net price change with family income at Washington University in St Louis?

Net price is income-adjusted — lower-income families typically pay much less. Students from families earning under $30k pay about $1,716. Students from families earning over $110k pay about $42,170. See the chart below for all five income bands.

How we calculate ROI

Every number on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. ROI score = (median earnings 10 years out × 10) / (avg net price × 4). The higher the ratio, the more graduates earn per dollar invested. We then percentile-rank every US college on that score to assign letter grades A+ through D. Read the full methodology →