Head-to-head · 2026
Truman State University vs Washington University in St Louis
Compare average net price ($12,780 at Truman State University; $21,786 at Washington University in St Louis), ROI score (11.01 vs 9.89), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($56,280 vs $86,182), and admissions selectivity (83.8% acceptance at Truman State University; 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 | Truman State University | Washington University in St Louis |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 11.01 ✓ | 9.89 |
| Avg net price | $12,780 ✓ | $21,786 |
| 4-year avg net price | $51,120 ✓ | $87,144 |
| In-state tuition | $9,838 | $65,790 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $18,566 | $65,790 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $56,280 | $86,182 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 83.8% | 12.1% |
| Graduation rate | 68.5% | 94.3% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 84.7% | 95% ✓ |
| Median debt | $21,000 | $17,500 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 2,513 | 7,857 |
| Ownership | Public | Private Non-Profit |
| Avg SAT | 1320 | 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 | Truman State University | Washington University in St Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $6,046 | $1,716 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $7,926 | $1,928 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $12,426 | $5,578 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $15,425 | $12,603 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $17,220 ✓ | $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 | Truman State University | Washington University in St Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 8.6% | 5.2% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 8% | 1% |
| Biology, General | 7% | 1.8% |
| Computer Science | 3.5% | 4.6% |
| Psychology, General | 6.6% | 0.1% |
| Public Health | 4% | 2% |
| English Language and Literature, General | 5.1% | 0.5% |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | 4.4% | 0.5% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Truman State University reports the lower average net price by $9,006 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $36,024 difference over four years ($51,120 vs $87,144).
Washington University in St Louis reports $29,902 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($86,182 vs $56,280). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 84.7% at Truman State University and 95% at Washington University in St Louis. Median federal debt among completers is $21,000 vs $17,500, respectively.
8 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
Truman State University vs Washington University in St Louis, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Truman State University is cheaper — average net price $12,780 per year vs $21,786 at Washington University in St Louis. The annual difference of $9,006 adds up to about $36,024 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 $56,280 at Truman State University. The gap in the federal data is $29,902. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Washington University in St Louis is more selective at 12.1% acceptance vs 83.8% at Truman State University.
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.