Head-to-head comparison
New York University vs. Washington University in St. Louis
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs NYU or WashU harder to get into?
NYU is harder to get into than WashU. NYU's 9.2% acceptance rate is lower than WashU's 12.1%.
Which is cheaper, NYU or WashU?
WashU costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, WashU's average net price is $21,786 vs $37,050 at NYU.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
WashU graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $82,509 at NYU and $86,182 at WashU.
Full Comparison
| Metric | NYU | WashU |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 9.2% | 12.1% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1480–1560 | 1500–1570 |
| ACT mid-50% | 34–35 | 33–35 |
| Cost of attendance | $84,374 | $91,290 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $37,050 | $21,786 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 28,663 | 8,132 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 87.6% | 94.3% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $82,509 | $86,182 |
| Setting | New York, New York | St. Louis, Missouri |
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS) and school-published admit cycle data. Last verified May 2026.
The Real Differences
NYU is modestly harder to get into. The 2.9-point gap matters at the margin but doesn't change the overall difficulty tier. Both schools draw similar applicant pools and admit similar profiles.
WashU is significantly cheaper after aid. The average net price gap is $15,264 per year, $61,056 over four years. For most families that difference is the deciding factor when both schools admit you.
NYU is substantially larger with 28,663 undergrads vs 8,132 at WashU. Bigger universities have more major options and broader research opportunities; smaller ones offer more access to faculty and tighter-knit communities.
Geographic difference matters more than the campus tour suggests. NYU is in New York, New York; WashU is in St. Louis, Missouri. Climate, cost-of-living, and proximity to job markets in your target field shape the four-year experience and post-grad pipeline more than most prospective students realize.
NYU has a more international student body (26.1% non-resident students vs 9.0%). For applicants who value global exposure or have international academic interests, that mix shows up in classroom culture and alumni network.
WashU's graduation rate is meaningfully higher (94.3% vs 87.6% 6-year completion). Graduation gaps at this level usually reflect support-system differences, financial aid adequacy, or degree-flexibility — worth verifying with each school's first-year retention and major-change policies.
Student Body Composition
The two schools have different student body compositions. NYU is 59.3% women, 26.1% international, and 22.2% Asian-American. WashU is 54.5% women, 9.0% international, and 20.9% Asian-American.
| Demographic | NYU | WashU |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 59.3% | 54.5% |
| International | 26.1% | 9.0% |
| White | 22.0% | 39.7% |
| Asian | 22.2% | 20.9% |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 13.2% |
| Black | 6.9% | 8.7% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at NYU vs. WashU?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick NYU if
- the Tisch School of the Arts
Pick WashU if
- Your odds are realistic at WashU (slightly easier admit)
- Net price matters: WashU costs $15,264 less per year on average
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($86,182 vs $82,509)
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- flexibility to pursue multiple majors across schools
Headline numbers favor one school or the other on each axis, but neither is unambiguously “better.” The right answer depends on your major fit, geographic preference, financial need, and personal odds at each. Most applicants who get into one of these schools also get into the other.
Full School Pages
For complete admissions data, supplemental essay strategy, and class profile breakdowns:
Full profile
New York University
9.2% accept · New York, New York
Full profile
Washington University in St. Louis
12.1% accept · St. Louis, Missouri
Sources
- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard for acceptance rates, test ranges, financial aid, demographics, completion, and earnings.
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) for the underlying federal data.
- Each school's most recent published Common Data Set for cycle-specific admissions stats.
Last verified May 2026. Stats reflect each school's most recent publicly published admit cycle.