Washington University in St. Louis is a private research university in Missouri, often shortened to WashU. It is best known for medicine, biomedical sciences, business and social work, backed by one of the largest endowments in the US. Choose it for small classes and heavy research investment.
St. Louis, United States
Official website: wustl.edu
#118
Top 25 (U.S. News)
Top 10 in the US for research (U.S. News)
25+ affiliated with the university
$62,000 – $68,000
International students, undergraduate and most master's programmes
$18,000 – $24,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on wustl.edu before you apply.
MS Computer Science
Masters DegreeDuration
18 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 90
MBA (Olin Business School)
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100
MS Business Analytics
Masters DegreeDuration
12 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100
MS Biomedical Engineering
Masters DegreeDuration
18 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 90
Master of Social Work
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100
BS Computer Science
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100
School of Medicine — top 10 in the US, with Barnes-Jewish Hospital on campus.
Brown School — the No. 1 ranked social work programme in the US (U.S. News).
Endowment above USD 12 billion — funds generous aid and research facilities.
Student-to-faculty ratio of 7:1 — among the lowest at major US research universities.
Olin MBA graduates report median base salaries above USD 125,000, with consulting and finance the top sectors.
Computer science graduates join Amazon, Microsoft, Google and St. Louis firms such as Boeing and Centene.
STEM master's graduates can work in the US for up to three years on OPT.
Biomedical graduates move into research posts at the medical school and pharma companies.
Undergrad
2 Jan 2027
Postgrad
Varies by programme
Undergrad
No UG intake
Postgrad
Varies by programme
The Danforth Campus borders Forest Park, with collegiate Gothic quads, a free MetroLink connection to the medical campus and most students living on or beside campus.
St. Louis is an affordable mid-sized city with a free zoo, art museum and science centre in Forest Park. The Gateway Arch and a growing biotech district are a short MetroLink ride away.
Form I-20 issued by WashU
Proof of funds for one academic year
SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
Completed DS-160 online application
US embassy or consulate interview
Passport valid six months beyond stay
For fall 2027 undergraduate entry, Early Decision I closes 1 November 2026, and Early Decision II and Regular Decision both close 2 January 2027. Graduate deadlines are set by each school; most master's programmes close between 15 December and 1 March for a fall start.
Undergraduates start in the fall (late August). Most master's programmes are fall only, though MS Computer Science and some engineering degrees also admit for spring (January). Olin's MBA and specialised business master's are fall only.
You need an F-1 student visa. The Office for International Students and Scholars issues your Form I-20 after you accept the offer and submit proof of funding. Then pay the SEVIS fee, complete the DS-160 and book an interview at a US embassy or consulate.
Computer science, business analytics, the Olin MBA, biomedical engineering and social work attract the most international applicants. Master's admission needs a strong bachelor's degree, TOEFL 90-100 or IELTS 7.0, and the GRE or GMAT for some programmes. Undergraduate admission is highly selective, with an acceptance rate around 12%.
WashU offers need-based financial aid to a limited number of international undergraduates, and admission for them is need-aware. Merit programmes such as the Danforth Scholars and Ervin Scholars provide partial to full tuition. Graduate scholarships vary by school, with Olin and McKelvey Engineering offering merit awards.
