What Is WashU’s Acceptance Rate for the Class of 2030?
WashU has not yet released complete Class of 2030 data. For the most recent fully reported cycle, WashU admitted approximately 12% of 32,741 applicants (WashU CDS, 2024-2025). The acceptance rate has fallen from approximately 15% to 12% over the past five years as applications surged and the admitted class held relatively steady. WashU’s ED program fills the majority of the incoming class, making Regular Decision dramatically more competitive. For context, see our Top 25 admissions statistics.
| Class | Applications | Admitted (est.) | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class of 2029 | 32,741 | 3,951 | ~12% |
| Class of 2028 | ~33,000 | ~3,960 | ~12% |
| Class of 2027 | ~30,000 | ~3,900 | ~13% |
| Class of 2026 | ~29,000 | ~4,060 | ~14% |
| Class of 2021 | ~22,000 | ~3,520 | ~16% |
Source: WashU CDS, WashU Admissions, 2017-2025.
Why Does WashU Fill 61% of Its Class Through Early Decision?
WashU’s ED program is one of the most aggressive among top-20 schools. For the Class of 2029, 1,197 of 1,963 enrolled students (61%) were admitted through ED I or ED II (Student Life). The ED acceptance rate is approximately 25%, more than double the overall rate of 12%. This means Regular Decision applicants face an effective acceptance rate likely in the single digits, since most spots are already filled. If WashU is your top choice, applying ED is not just strategic, it is practically necessary. For early strategy, see our ED vs RD guide.
| Class | ED Rate (est.) | % of Class via ED | Overall Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class of 2029 | ~25% | 61% | ~12% |
| Class of 2027 | 26% | ~55% | ~13% |
| Class of 2023 | ~35% | 38% | ~15% |
Source: WashU CDS, Student Life newspaper, admissions data analysis.
What GPA and Test Scores Do You Need for WashU?
WashU reinstated standardized testing requirements for the current cycle. The middle 50% SAT range is 1500-1570 and ACT is 33-35. The average admitted GPA is 3.92 unweighted (WashU CDS). WashU values academic rigor and expects applicants to have taken the most challenging courses available at their school. For testing strategy, see our test strategy guide.
How Does WashU Compare to Ivy League and Peer Schools?
| School | Acceptance Rate | % Class via ED |
|---|---|---|
| Duke | ~5% | ~50% |
| Northwestern | ~7% | ~55% |
| Vanderbilt | ~6% | ~55% |
| Notre Dame | 9% | N/A (REA) |
| WashU | ~12% | 61% |
| Tufts | 10% | ~45% |
Source: Institutional announcements, CDS data, 2024-2026.
What Does WashU Look for in Applicants?
WashU uses a holistic review process that weighs academic rigor, intellectual curiosity, and community engagement. The Olin Business School and the pre-med track through the College of Arts & Sciences are the most competitive paths. WashU values students who demonstrate cross-disciplinary interests, which aligns with the university’s “Boundless” curriculum that encourages exploration across schools. Supplemental essays should reference specific programs, faculty, or initiatives. For essay strategy, see our Common App essay guide. For building a competitive profile, see our guides on summer programs and high school internships.
What Are Your Chances on the WashU Waitlist?
WashU’s waitlist is inconsistent. The university admitted 0 students from the waitlist for the Classes of 2026, 2019, 2017, and 2015. In years when the waitlist is used, it can be moderately active. The high percentage of the class filled through ED (61%) reduces the number of waitlist spots available. If waitlisted, write a strong Letter of Continued Interest. For complete data, see our waitlist rates comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
Washington University in St. Louis is known for academic strength across the arts and sciences, a highly regarded medical school and pre-health programs, strong business and design offerings, and excellent research. It pairs rigorous academics with a collaborative culture. Applicants drawn to pre-med and the health sciences, interdisciplinary study, and a well-resourced research university in a relatively affordable Midwestern city often see these strengths as WashU’s most distinctive appeal among top schools.
Where scores are submitted, WashU has generally considered an applicant’s best section results across test dates, a superscoring approach, allowing the strongest combined result to be shown. Because testing policies shift, applicants should confirm both the current requirement and the superscoring practice on the admissions website before deciding which dates to report, since this affects how to present the most competitive score profile when choosing to submit scores.
Yes; unlike many need-only peers, WashU awards a number of competitive merit scholarships, some highly selective and covering substantial cost, alongside its need-based aid. These merit awards often have separate applications and deadlines. Families hoping for merit money should research WashU’s named scholarship programs early and note their specific requirements, since the availability of significant merit aid distinguishes WashU from many similarly selective schools that meet need but offer no merit awards.
They are entirely separate institutions; Washington University in St. Louis is a private research university in Missouri, while the University of Washington is a public university in Seattle. The similar names cause frequent confusion. Applicants should confirm they are researching the St. Louis private university, often abbreviated WashU or WUSTL, since the two differ completely in location, type, size, and admissions, and a search can easily surface the wrong school.
WashU is mid-sized, enrolling roughly seven to eight thousand undergraduates, larger than a small liberal arts college but smaller than a large public flagship. The scale supports both sizable resources and reasonably accessible faculty. Applicants should consider whether they prefer this middle ground, since WashU offers the breadth and research opportunities of a university while remaining more intimate than the largest institutions, shaping both the academic and social experience on campus.
WashU’s handling of legacy, meaning a family connection to the university, has been one factor among many and, like policies elsewhere, is subject to change as institutions reconsider such preferences. It is never decisive on its own. Applicants with a family tie should treat it as a minor potential consideration and confirm the current policy, since the weight given to legacy continues to shift across selective universities and is increasingly de-emphasized.
No; WashU does not use rolling admissions. It reviews applications after its fixed Early Decision and Regular Decision deadlines and releases decisions on set dates rather than evaluating files continuously as they arrive. There is no advantage to submitting weeks early within a round, though applicants must meet each deadline. Knowing the fixed timeline helps applicants plan essays and any scholarship applications well in advance of the cutoff.
Yes; WashU competes in Division III as the Bears, fielding many varsity teams without offering athletic scholarships, in keeping with Division III rules. Sports are part of campus life without dominating it. Recruited athletes still go through the regular admissions process, and applicants interested in competing should contact coaches early, since athletic talent can factor into a holistic review even though no athletic money is awarded at this level.
Sources: Washington University Office of Admissions, NCES College Navigator, IPEDS, NACAC, College Board BigFuture.
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