Loading…
College comparison
Haverford vs WashU
A side-by-side of acceptance rate, test scores, and cost — source-cited estimates, not guarantees. Want the number that actually matters for your student? Model your admit odds at each.
| Metric |  Haverford Haverford, PA |  WashU St. Louis, MO |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rateWashington University in St Louis is more selective | 12% | 12% |
| SAT (25–75) | 1460–1550 | 1500–1570 |
| ACT (25–75) | — | — |
| Undergrad enrollment | 1,430 | 7,857 |
| Avg net price | $25,314 | $21,786 |
| Median earnings (10 yr)WashU reports higher median earnings | $79,966 | $86,182 |
| Graduation rate | 90% | 94% |
| Median debt | $13,621 | $17,500 |
| Economic mobility | 1.8% | 1.0% |
| Test policy | — | — |
| Type | Private (nonprofit) | Private (nonprofit) |
Haverford vs WashU: how they compare
Two selective institutions with distinct educational philosophies and student experiences.
By the numbers Both schools share a 12% acceptance rate, but Washington University (WashU) has a higher SAT 25–75th percentile range (1500–1570) compared to Haverford’s 1460–1550. Financially, WashU shows a stronger immediate value proposition: its 10-year median graduate earnings of $86k against an average net price of $22k yields a 4.0× earnings-per-dollar value, surpassing Haverford’s $80k earnings, $25k net price, and 3.2× value. Haverford excels in long-term social mobility, with an economic-mobility rate of 180% versus WashU’s 104%, and a stronger future-scholar yield of 11.3. Haverford also demonstrates greater financial health with a DOE score of 3.0/3, compared to WashU’s 2.4/3. Graduation rates are similarly high (WashU 94%, Haverford 90%).
Where they overlap Both are highly selective, suburban liberal arts colleges with excellent graduation outcomes. They attract high-achieving students and offer rigorous academic environments that lead to strong early-career earnings.
How they differ The cultures diverge significantly. Qualitative sources describe WashU as having a more pre-professional campus culture. Haverford is characterized as more intellectual and community-oriented, emphasizing a collaborative, honor-code-driven liberal arts experience. While both are in suburban settings, WashU is integrated with a major midwestern city, offering a different scale of social and cultural opportunities.
Who each suits WashU suits the driven, pre-professional student seeking a resource-rich university environment with strong connections to business, engineering, and medicine. Haverford is ideal for the intellectually curious student who thrives in a tight-knit, self-governing community focused on broad inquiry and values-driven education, with notable strength in producing future scholars.
Editorial overview — a qualitative summary of culture and fit, reviewed for accuracy. Not a ranking or a guarantee.
Quick answers
- Is Haverford College or Washington University in St Louis harder to get into?
- Washington University in St Louis is more selective: Haverford College's acceptance rate is approximately 12% and Washington University in St Louis's is approximately 12% (estimates from public and primary sources).
- What SAT score do you need for Haverford College vs Washington University in St Louis?
- The middle-50% SAT range is 1460–1550 at Haverford College and 1500–1570 at Washington University in St Louis. Scores outside these bands are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
Figures are estimates compiled from public datasets (College Scorecard / IPEDS) and primary sources; verify with each institution before relying on them.
These outputs are estimates from a baseline model — not guarantees of admission, cost, or outcome.