Washington University in St Louis Acceptance Rate
Saint Louis, Missouri · Private not-for-profit · 4-year or above
- Applicants
- 32,240
- Admitted
- 3,855
- Yield
- 47.4%
- Test policy
- Test-optional
Latest official IPEDS 2023–24 · Updated July 2026
Acceptance rate & applications over time
Hover or tap the chart to read any year.
Over the 10 years of federal data, Washington University in St Louis's acceptance rate has fallen from 17.1% in 2014–15 to 12% in 2023–24. Applications grew from 29,211 to 32,240 (+10%) over that period.
Its 12% rate makes Washington University in St Louis more selective than about 97% of the 1,419 schools tracked here. Among 32 tracked Missouri schools, it is more selective than about 97%.
Washington University in St Louis has been test-optional since 2020–21. Of admitted students, 47.4% enrolled (the yield rate) in 2023–24.
Full year-by-year table
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | 29,211 | 5,004 | 17.1% | 1,734 |
| 2015–16 | 29,259 | 4,898 | 16.7% | 1,731 |
| 2016–17 | 29,197 | 4,827 | 16.5% | 1,776 |
| 2017–18 | 30,463 | 4,863 | 16% | 1,778 |
| 2018–19 | 31,320 | 4,708 | 15% | 1,797 |
| 2019–20 | 25,426 | 3,522 | 13.9% | 1,732 |
| 2020–21 | 27,949 | 4,477 | 16% | 1,804 |
| 2021–22 | 33,634 | 4,373 | 13% | 1,980 |
| 2022–23 | 32,014 | 3,764 | 11.8% | 1,813 |
| 2023–24 | 32,240 | 3,855 | 12% | 1,828 |
Acceptance rate by gender
| Group | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 17,034 | 2,008 | 11.8% |
| Men | 15,206 | 1,847 | 12.1% |
SAT / ACT ranges & policy
Test-optional (considered if submitted).
| Test | 25th–75th percentile | % submitting |
|---|---|---|
| SAT EBRW | 730–770 | 29% |
| SAT Math | 770–800 | |
| ACT Composite | 33–35 | 28% |
How Washington University in compares
Where this school sits among peers of similar selectivity — each dot is a school's current acceptance rate on the same scale.
Frequently asked
What is Washington University in St Louis's acceptance rate?
Washington University in St Louis's acceptance rate is 12% for 2023–24, the most recent year of federal IPEDS data (3,855 admitted of 32,240 applicants).
Is Washington University in St Louis test optional?
Washington University in St Louis is test-optional: SAT/ACT scores are considered if submitted but not required.
How many people apply to Washington University in St Louis?
Washington University in St Louis received 32,240 applications in 2023–24 and admitted 3,855.
What SAT score do you need for Washington University in St Louis?
Admitted students at Washington University in St Louis typically scored 730–770 on SAT Reading/Writing and 770–800 on SAT Math (middle-50% ranges).
Is Washington University in St Louis getting harder to get into?
Washington University in St Louis has become harder to get into: its acceptance rate went from 17.1% in 2014–15 to 12% in 2023–24.
How this is calculated
Acceptance rate = admitted ÷ applicants, first-time degree-seeking undergraduates, from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS Admissions (ADM) survey; institution details from the IPEDS Institutional Characteristics (HD) survey. Data span: 2014–15 to 2023–24. Official site: https://wustl.edu/.