Washington University in St Louis
St. Louis, MO
Quick Facts
Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education
About Washington University in St Louis
WashU: Where groundbreaking research meets a commitment to 'Strength Through Truth'.
Nestled in the vibrant St. Louis metropolitan area, Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) stands as a beacon of private research excellence. Founded on the principle of 'Strength through truth' (Per veritatem vis), WashU cultivates an environment where intellectual curiosity thrives. Welcoming a diverse body of over 16,000 students from all 50 U.S. states and more than 110 countries, the university is renowned for its academic rigor, pioneering research, and a deeply supportive community dedicated to making an impact.
WashU's storied past began in 1853, when a group of visionary St. Louis civic leaders, including William Greenleaf Eliot, recognized the critical need for higher education in the Midwest. Initially chartered as Eliot Seminary and later renamed in honor of George Washington, the institution bravely navigated its early years without a large endowment or external backing. A pivotal moment came in 1905 with the relocation to its expansive Danforth Campus, a strategic move that not only allowed for substantial growth but also notably served as a venue for the 1904 Summer Olympics and St. Louis World's Fair, using the generated funds to fuel its ambitious expansion.
Today, WashU offers a rich tapestry of academic pursuits across its nine schools, boasting over 150 undergraduate, 80 master's, and 50 doctoral programs. Its academic prowess is underscored by a deep commitment to research, particularly evident in the School of Medicine's consistent top rankings for NIH funding. Beyond the classroom and lab, student life flourishes with more than 400 undergraduate organizations and the highly successful Washington University Bears, who compete in NCAA Division III and have secured 26 national championships. WashU is also at the forefront of educational accessibility, having implemented a need-blind undergraduate-admissions policy and the 'WashU Pledge,' ensuring that talented students from Missouri and southern Illinois can pursue their dreams without the burden of tuition.
Key Highlights
- ✦Endowment of $11.98 billion (2024), ranking among the top fifteen in the United States.
- ✦Affiliation with 26 Nobel laureates, 11 Pulitzer Prize winners, and 30 Rhodes Scholars.
- ✦The School of Medicine ranked 2nd nationally for National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding in 2024.
- ✦Highly selective undergraduate admissions, with a 12% acceptance rate for the Class of 2028.
- ✦Committed to accessibility through a need-blind undergraduate-admissions policy and the 'WashU Pledge' offering free tuition for eligible students.
- ✦Over 16,000 students from all 50 U.S. states and more than 110 countries enrolled in Fall 2024.
- ✦The Washington University Bears have won 26 NCAA Division III championships.
Timeline
Schools & Colleges
8 notable schools within Washington University in St Louis
College of Arts & Sciences
The university's largest undergraduate program, offering a selection of courses across more than 50 disciplines including anthropology, chemistry, English, and the performing arts.
George Warren Brown School of Social Work
Founded in 1925, this school was the first at Washington University to admit Black students in 1948.
James McKelvey School of Engineering
Renamed in 2019, this school honors trustee and alumnus Jim McKelvey Jr., co-founder of Square, for his substantial donation.
Olin Business School
Originally established as the School of Commerce and Finance in 1917, it offers an Executive MBA program in Shanghai in cooperation with Fudan University.
Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts
Founded in 2006, it merges the academic units of Architecture and Art with the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, the first art museum west of the Mississippi.
School of Continuing & Professional Studies (CAPS)
Established in 2023, CAPS focuses on adult learners, providing programs in rapidly growing fields such as data analytics, education, healthcare, and management.
Washington University School of Law
Established in 1867, it is the oldest continuously operating law school west of the Mississippi River.
Washington University School of Medicine
Established in 1891, it ranked second in the United States for National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding in 2024.
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