Washington University in St. Louis
St. Louis, United States • Founded 1853 • World Rank #89
Overview
Founded in 1853, the Washington University in St.
Louis is a non-profit private higher education institution located in the suburban setting of the medium city of St. Louis (population range of 250,000-499,999 inhabitants), Missouri.
Officially accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) is a large-sized coeducational US higher education institution.
Washington University in St.
Louis (WashU) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor's degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation), bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study. This 171-year-old US higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic records and grades.
The acceptance rate range is 10-19% making this US higher education organization an extremely selective institution. International students are welcome to apply for enrollment.
WashU also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, online courses and distance learning opportunities, as well as administrative services.
Location & Contact
Planning a visit to Washington University in St. Louis or following up with admissions? Location and contact details are listed below. Admissions email typically replies within 5–10 business days during peak season.
Academic Details
Academic statistics for Washington University in St. Louis — including its student body and academic staff numbers. Read these alongside rankings; institution scale changes how rankings should be interpreted.
Academic Structures
Washington University in St. Louis's academic backbone. Endowed schools (named after donors) may differ from general units in funding levels, scholarships available, and curriculum focus.
Unit 7 items
- College of Arts and Sciences
- George Warren Brown School of Social Work
- Olin Business School
- Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts
- School of Engineering and Applied Science
- School of Law
- School of Medicine
Programs Offered
Below: Washington University in St. Louis's programme list by level. Programme intakes vary — some offer multiple entry points per year (Sep, Jan, May), others a single annual intake.
Bachelor's Degree
88 programmes
Washington University in St. Louis delivers 88 programmes at bachelor's level, the qualifications school-leavers most commonly apply to as their first step into higher education.
Natural Resources Conservation and Research Forestry & Natural Resources
Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy Forestry & Natural Resources
Architecture Architecture
Architectural Sciences and Technology Architecture
Area Studies Social & Cultural Studies
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies Social & Cultural Studies
Communication and Media Studies Communication Studies
Journalism Journalism
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Public Relations
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other Communication Studies
Computer and Information Sciences, General Computer Sciences
Computer Science Computer Sciences
Education, General Education & Teaching
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Education & Teaching
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas Education & Teaching
Engineering, General General Engineering
Biomedical/Medical Engineering Bio & Biomedical Engineering
Chemical Engineering Chemical Engineering
Computer Engineering Electrical Engineering
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering Electrical Engineering
Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering Environmental Engineering
Mechanical Engineering Mechanical Engineering
Systems Engineering Industrial & Systems Engineering
Engineering, Other General Engineering
Engineering-Related Fields General Engineering
Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services Linguistics & Language Studies
East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Linguistics & Language Studies
Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Linguistics & Language Studies
Iranian/Persian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Linguistics & Language Studies
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Linguistics & Language Studies
Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Linguistics & Language Studies
Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Linguistics & Language Studies
English Language and Literature, General English Language Studies
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies English Language Studies
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Liberal Arts
Biology, General Biological Sciences
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology Biochemistry
Microbiological Sciences and Immunology Biological Sciences
Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology Biological Sciences
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology Ecology & Conservation
Neurobiology and Neurosciences Neuroscience
Mathematics Mathematics
Applied Mathematics Mathematics
Statistics Mathematics
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General Liberal Arts
Mathematics and Computer Science Liberal Arts
International/Globalization Studies Liberal Arts
Classical and Ancient Studies Liberal Arts
Cognitive Science Liberal Arts
Sustainability Studies Liberal Arts
Economics and Computer Science Liberal Arts
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other Liberal Arts
Philosophy Philosophy & Ethics
Religion/Religious Studies Philosophy & Ethics
Astronomy and Astrophysics Physics & Astronomy
Chemistry Chemistry
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences Earth Sciences & Geology
Physics Physics & Astronomy
Psychology, General Psychology
Research and Experimental Psychology Psychology
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology Clinical Psychology
Psychology, Other Psychology
Anthropology Social & Cultural Studies
Archeology Social & Cultural Studies
Economics Economics
International Relations and National Security Studies Politics & International Relations
Political Science and Government Politics & International Relations
Sociology Social & Cultural Studies
Urban Studies/Affairs Urban Planning
Dance Performing Arts
Design and Applied Arts Applied Design
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft Performing Arts
Film/Video and Photographic Arts Film & Animation
Fine and Studio Arts Visual Arts
Music Music
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General Health Sciences
Health and Medical Administrative Services Healthcare Administration
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs Health Sciences
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other Health Sciences
Business Administration, Management and Operations Business Administration
Accounting and Related Services Accounting
Business/Managerial Economics Economics
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations Entrepreneurship
Finance and Financial Management Services Finance, Banking & Insurance
Human Resources Management and Services Human Resource Management
Management Information Systems and Services IT Management
Marketing Advertising & Digital Marketing
History History
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Master's Degree
75 programmes
Washington University in St. Louis's 75 programmes at this tier lead to a master's qualification, valued for the focused, research-informed depth they add beyond undergraduate study.
Architecture Architecture
Landscape Architecture Urban Planning
Architectural History, Criticism, and Conservation Interior Design
Architectural Sciences and Technology Architecture
Area Studies Social & Cultural Studies
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies Social & Cultural Studies
Computer and Information Sciences, General Computer Sciences
Computer Science Computer Sciences
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management Information Systems & Technology
Education, General Education & Teaching
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Education & Teaching
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering Aerospace & Automotive Engineering
Biomedical/Medical Engineering Bio & Biomedical Engineering
Chemical Engineering Chemical Engineering
Computer Engineering Electrical Engineering
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering Electrical Engineering
Materials Engineering General Engineering
Mechanical Engineering Mechanical Engineering
Systems Engineering Industrial & Systems Engineering
Construction Engineering General Engineering
Engineering, Other General Engineering
Engineering-Related Fields General Engineering
Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services Linguistics & Language Studies
East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Linguistics & Language Studies
Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Linguistics & Language Studies
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Linguistics & Language Studies
Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Linguistics & Language Studies
Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies Law
English Language and Literature, General English Language Studies
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies English Language Studies
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Liberal Arts
Biology, General Biological Sciences
Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology Biological Sciences
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology Ecology & Conservation
Mathematics Mathematics
Applied Mathematics Mathematics
Statistics Mathematics
Behavioral Sciences Liberal Arts
Sustainability Studies Liberal Arts
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other Liberal Arts
Philosophy Philosophy & Ethics
Religion/Religious Studies Philosophy & Ethics
Chemistry Chemistry
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences Earth Sciences & Geology
Physics Physics & Astronomy
Materials Sciences Materials Science
Research and Experimental Psychology Psychology
Public Policy Analysis Public Administration
Social Work Social Work
Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other Public Administration
Anthropology Social & Cultural Studies
Economics Economics
International Relations and National Security Studies Politics & International Relations
Political Science and Government Politics & International Relations
Sociology Social & Cultural Studies
Dance Performing Arts
Design and Applied Arts Applied Design
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft Performing Arts
Film/Video and Photographic Arts Film & Animation
Fine and Studio Arts Visual Arts
Music Music
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services Speech & Language Therapy
Health and Medical Administrative Services Healthcare Administration
Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies Health Sciences
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions Counselling & Psychotherapy
Public Health Public Health
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions Rehabilitation Sciences
Business Administration, Management and Operations Business Administration
Accounting and Related Services Accounting
Business/Managerial Economics Economics
Finance and Financial Management Services Finance, Banking & Insurance
Human Resources Management and Services Human Resource Management
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods Operations Management
Marketing Advertising & Digital Marketing
History History
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Doctorate
55 programmes
There are 55 programmes to choose from at Washington University in St. Louis for doctoral candidates. A PhD or equivalent typically takes three or more years of supervised, independent research.
Computer Science Computer Sciences
Education, General Education & Teaching
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering Aerospace & Automotive Engineering
Biomedical/Medical Engineering Bio & Biomedical Engineering
Computer Engineering Electrical Engineering
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering Electrical Engineering
Materials Engineering General Engineering
Mechanical Engineering Mechanical Engineering
Systems Engineering Industrial & Systems Engineering
Engineering, Other General Engineering
Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services Linguistics & Language Studies
East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Linguistics & Language Studies
Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Linguistics & Language Studies
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Linguistics & Language Studies
Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Linguistics & Language Studies
Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies Law
English Language and Literature, General English Language Studies
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Liberal Arts
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology Biochemistry
Botany/Plant Biology Biological Sciences
Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences Molecular Biology
Microbiological Sciences and Immunology Biological Sciences
Genetics Biological Sciences
Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences Biological Sciences
Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology Biological Sciences
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology Ecology & Conservation
Neurobiology and Neurosciences Neuroscience
Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other Biological Sciences
Mathematics Mathematics
Statistics Mathematics
Behavioral Sciences Liberal Arts
Computational Science Liberal Arts
Sustainability Studies Liberal Arts
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other Liberal Arts
Philosophy Philosophy & Ethics
Chemistry Chemistry
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences Earth Sciences & Geology
Physics Physics & Astronomy
Materials Sciences Materials Science
Research and Experimental Psychology Psychology
Social Work Social Work
Anthropology Social & Cultural Studies
Economics Economics
Political Science and Government Politics & International Relations
Sociology Social & Cultural Studies
Fine and Studio Arts Visual Arts
Music Music
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services Speech & Language Therapy
Public Health Public Health
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions Rehabilitation Sciences
Movement and Mind-Body Therapies and Education Health Sciences
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Nursing
Business Administration, Management and Operations Business Administration
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods Operations Management
History History
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Professional Doctorate
6 programmes
There are 6 programmes to choose from at Washington University in St. Louis for doctoral candidates. A PhD or equivalent typically takes three or more years of supervised, independent research.
Law Law
Biology, General Biological Sciences
Behavioral Sciences Liberal Arts
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services Speech & Language Therapy
Medicine Medicine
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions Rehabilitation Sciences
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Associate, Certificate & Other Qualifications
55 programmes
This group collects Washington University in St. Louis's 55 programmes of certificates, diplomas, and foundation or associate programmes — practical entry points or stepping stones toward a degree.
Area Studies Social & Cultural Studies
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies Social & Cultural Studies
Journalism Journalism
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Public Relations
Computer and Information Sciences, General Computer Sciences
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management Information Systems & Technology
Education, General Education & Teaching
Educational Administration and Supervision Educational Leadership
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Education & Teaching
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas Education & Teaching
Engineering, General General Engineering
Engineering Physics General Engineering
Systems Engineering Industrial & Systems Engineering
Construction Engineering General Engineering
Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians General Engineering
Engineering-Related Fields General Engineering
Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services Linguistics & Language Studies
Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies Law
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies English Language Studies
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Liberal Arts
Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology Biological Sciences
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology Ecology & Conservation
Applied Mathematics Mathematics
Applied Mathematics Mathematics
Statistics Mathematics
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General Liberal Arts
Behavioral Sciences Liberal Arts
Sustainability Studies Liberal Arts
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other Liberal Arts
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other Liberal Arts
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology Clinical Psychology
Social Work Social Work
Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other Public Administration
Social Sciences, General Social & Cultural Studies
Geography and Cartography Geography
International Relations and National Security Studies Politics & International Relations
Urban Studies/Affairs Urban Planning
Film/Video and Photographic Arts Film & Animation
Health and Medical Administrative Services Healthcare Administration
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs Health Sciences
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs Health Sciences
Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies Health Sciences
Public Health Public Health
Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services Health Sciences
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other Health Sciences
Business Administration, Management and Operations Business Administration
Business Administration, Management and Operations Business Administration
Accounting and Related Services Accounting
Business/Managerial Economics Economics
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations Entrepreneurship
Finance and Financial Management Services Finance, Banking & Insurance
Human Resources Management and Services Human Resource Management
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods Operations Management
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods Operations Management
Marketing Advertising & Digital Marketing
No programmes match your filter in this level.
How to apply to Washington University in St. Louis
Step-by-step guidance for applying to Washington University in St. Louis, covering the typical sequence from programme selection to admissions follow-up.
- 1 Research programmes at Washington University in St. Louis
Begin by reviewing the programmes section above. Washington University in St. Louis offers 279 programmes grouped by qualification level. Decide on a target tier (bachelor's, master's, or doctoral) before narrowing by subject.
- 2 Review admissions criteria
Each programme at Washington University in St. Louis has its own entry requirements — academic minimums, language proficiency, supporting documents, and sometimes interviews or portfolios. Check the programme-specific page or contact admissions to confirm eligibility.
- 3 Gather supporting documents
Most applications require certified academic records, identification documents, language test certificates (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent for English-medium programmes), CV/résumé, and a statement of purpose. Allow extra time for document authentication.
- 4 Lodge your application
Apply directly via Washington University in St. Louis's online portal at wustl.edu. Complete the application form, upload supporting documents, and pay any application fee. Confirmation emails typically arrive within a few business days.
- 5 Confirm receipt and track progress
After submitting, confirm receipt with the admissions office and track your application status through the portal. Reach the institution by phone at +1 (314) 935 5000. Set reminders for any interview requests, additional document submissions, or admission decision deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions about Washington University in St. Louis
Common questions students ask about Washington University in St. Louis — answers pulled straight from the institution's published profile.
When did Washington University in St. Louis open?
Washington University in St. Louis traces its founding to 1853 (approximately 173 years ago).
What city is Washington University in St. Louis in?
Washington University in St. Louis operates from St. Louis, United States.
Is Washington University in St. Louis public or private?
It is a private higher-education institution.
How big is Washington University in St. Louis's student body?
Washington University in St. Louis serves approximately 15,000-19,999 students.
How is Washington University in St. Louis ranked?
It ranks #89 globally and #23 in United States.
How is Washington University in St. Louis organised academically?
Washington University in St. Louis is organised into 7 academic units across its disciplines.
Who recognises Washington University in St. Louis?
Washington University in St. Louis is accredited by Higher Learning Commission.
What is Washington University in St. Louis's official website?
Washington University in St. Louis's official website is wustl.edu.
Top-Ranked Universities in the United States
Graduate-school placement rates among the United States's top universities set the upper bound for that signal. Washington University in St. Louis's placement rate relative to leaders is one signal of academic preparation depth.
Members of Association of American Universities (AAU)
Coordination on academic calendars among Association of American Universities (AAU) members eases exchange programme logistics. Aligned terms reduce timing friction when moving between Washington University in St. Louis and other members.
Faculties at Nearby Universities
Beyond Washington University in St. Louis, the surrounding area hosts several universities with overlapping research strengths and faculty mixes. They are worth comparing if location flexibility matters to your decision and you want to keep options open within the same region.
Where Else to Study Liberal Arts
If Washington University in St. Louis is on your shortlist for studying Liberal Arts, these peer institutions in the United States offer comparable academic depth, industry links, and graduate outcomes. Cross-applying to multiple is common practice in this discipline.
Universities Often Compared with Washington University in St. Louis
Peer cohort post-graduation outcomes — employment rates, graduate-school placement, salary data — often track closely across institutions at Washington University in St. Louis's level. Comparable cohorts tend to land in comparable places.
