Head-to-head · 2026
Saint Louis Community College vs Washington University in St Louis
Compare average net price ($8,440 at Saint Louis Community College; $21,786 at Washington University in St Louis), ROI score (10.46 vs 9.89), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($35,325 vs $86,182), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Saint Louis Community College; 12.1% at Washington University in St Louis) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Saint Louis Community College | Washington University in St Louis |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 10.46 ✓ | 9.89 |
| Avg net price | $8,440 ✓ | $21,786 |
| 4-year avg net price | $33,760 ✓ | $87,144 |
| In-state tuition | $3,660 | $65,790 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $6,990 | $65,790 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $35,325 | $86,182 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 12.1% |
| Graduation rate | 21.3% | 94.3% ✓ |
| Retention rate | — | 95% |
| Median debt | $6,725 ✓ | $17,500 |
| Enrollment | 11,788 | 7,857 |
| Ownership | Public | Private Non-Profit |
| Avg SAT | — | 1530 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Saint Louis Community College | Washington University in St Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $7,469 | $1,716 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $8,319 | $1,928 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $9,926 | $5,578 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $12,016 ✓ | $12,603 |
| Family income $110k+ | $13,244 ✓ | $42,170 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Saint Louis Community College | Washington University in St Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 55.7% | 0.1% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 2.4% | 1% |
| Design and Applied Arts | 1.9% | 1.2% |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | 1.5% | 0.9% |
| Public Health | 0.4% | 2% |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | 1.3% | 0.6% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 0.8% | 0.2% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Saint Louis Community College reports the lower average net price by $13,346 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $53,384 difference over four years ($33,760 vs $87,144).
Washington University in St Louis reports $50,857 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($86,182 vs $35,325). This is not earnings for a specific major.
Retention data is incomplete for at least one school. Compare the available graduation, debt, price and admissions context without treating a missing field as an advantage.
7 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Saint Louis Community College vs Washington University in St Louis, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Saint Louis Community College is cheaper — average net price $8,440 per year vs $21,786 at Washington University in St Louis. The annual difference of $13,346 adds up to about $53,384 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Washington University in St Louis reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $86,182 vs $35,325 at Saint Louis Community College. The gap in the federal data is $50,857. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.