• Organize and track the schools that YOU are interested in.
  • Get matched up with schools that fit your personality.
  • Determine your chances at each school CP covers.
  • Calculate your costs at any school.

Academics:

A-

(explain this grade)

Comparable Schools'
Academics Grades:

Quick Stats

Student-Faculty Ratio

7:1

Average Course Load

5 courses

Full Time Faculty

838

Faculty with Terminal Degree

99 %

College Prowler Take

Most Wash U students seem to enjoy their academic experience and have a good relationship with their teachers. There are certainly boring and exciting courses and professors in each department, so it’s recommended both to ask for advice from older students and to visit multiple classes before settling on a schedule. The professors seem particularly notable for their enthusiasm in receiving visits from students during or beyond office hours. Those who have made an effort to seek help and advice from them are usually rewarded with genuine interest, help with school work, and future recommendations.

The University’s reputation has rested principally on its achievements in the sciences, but most departments—from English to women’s studies and psychology—are now very strong. Within the different undergraduate schools there are more noticeable disparities. The Olin School of Business, for example, allegedly has a weak faculty compared to that of the college of arts and sciences. While students aren’t usually overwhelmed with their course work, academics are rigorous in all of the undergraduate schools of Wash U—although among all undergrads, pre-meds seem the most perpetually stressed. The curricula in several of the schools include distribution requirements organized into a cluster system. However, departments are flexible, and they will allow you to design more creative programs of study, including individualized majors, cross-disciplinary courses, and independent projects. Options such as these allow students to pursue their interests without being limited to traditional subject areas.

Free Profile Tools

Do I Stand A Chance?

Calculate YOUR chances of admission at every school CP covers!

__%

Personality Match

Calculate YOUR personality match with every school CP covers!

__%

What'll It Cost Me?

Estimate your out-of-pocket costs at every school CP covers!

$__,___

Students Speak Out

Love your school more than free food? Hate your school more than term papers?
Somewhere in between? Show the world what YOU think of YOUR school:

WasBM says:

Washington University in St. Louis 2016

Psychology

The teachers are very...

The teachers are very knowledgeable and approachable. The workload is daunting if you do not keep up in your classes. The pre-med program is very rigorous and competitive, but it has the national reputation it deserves.

Academics: March 17, 2009
Report

Anonymous says:

Some teachers here are fantastic!...

Some teachers here are fantastic! Depends on the class really—also, they’re really great about giving teachers and not TAs (teaching assistants). The only class you’ll have that will be taught by a TA will be your English Composition freshman year class. Especially awesome teachers that everyone knows and loves: Richard Smith (he teaches Intro to Evolution and is apparently phenomenal), I’ve also loved Prof Bernard (physics teacher who moves discussions at a nice, steady pace), Prof Friedman (history and women’s studies; probably the best woman teacher here), Prof Huck (teaches art school, mostly printmaking, and has a knack for the arts), Prof Sabraw (teaches art school, mostly drawing, and will work tirelessly with each individual student), and John Stewart (the chorus director who is also a phenomenal human being).

Academics
Report

jdross says:

Washington University in St. Louis 2016

Business

Avoid new teachers because they...

Avoid new teachers because they tend to have weird issues like heavy accents or pointless work, though I've heard of good ones coming in. I love all of the business school teachers I have, and no b-school classes on friday is really nice.

Academics: February 22, 2009
Report

Anonymous says:

The teachers here are absolutely...

The teachers here are absolutely amazing! Not only do they really know their class material and try to make it interesting, which is especially important in potentially dry classes like Accounting and Finance, they are also incredibly nice and approachable. Professors also really go out of their way to get to know you and help you. I’ve had professors help me with problems in course material from other classes, revise my resume, help me find a job, and much more. ?

Academics
Report

Anonymous says:

The women’s studies department,...

The women’s studies department, the legal studies department, the film and media studies department, the English and writing department, and the pre-law department are full of really great people. I’ve never had a problem with any professor, though, in any department. All teachers are very willing to help and interested in your work and your learning. I’m beginning an independent thesis project for next semester jointly with the women’s studies department, the music department, and the film and media studies department, because all of the professors I approached were interested in my proposal and assured me that I wouldn’t be working alone. So that’s an example of their cooperation and willingness to work together for their students. It’s been really great so far. Oh, and FYI, the writing professors are phenomenal.

Academics
Report

Facts

Most Popular Majors

  • Business/marketing - 14 %
  • Engineering - 13 %
  • Psychology - 10 %
  • Social sciences - 17 %
  • Visual/performing arts - 10 %

Degrees Awarded

  • Bachelor's
  • Doctorate
  • First professional
  • Master's

Special Degree Options

  • Accelerated degree program
  • Adult/continuing education programs
  • Advanced placement credit
  • Cross-registration
  • Double major
  • Dual enrollment
  • English as a Second Language (ESL)
  • Exchange student program (domestic)
  • Independent study
  • Internships
  • Liberal arts/career combination
  • Student-designed major
  • Study abroad
  • Teacher certification program

Class Sizes

  • 50 or More Students - 0 %

Undergraduate Schools

  • College of Arts & Sciences
  • George Warren Brown School of Social Work
  • Olin Business School
  • Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts
  • School of Engineering

Graduation Rates

  • 4-Year - 83 %
  • 5-Year - 91 %
  • 6-Year - 92 %

Best Places to Study

  • Brown Library
  • Holmes Lounge
  • Law School Library
  • The Law School atrium
  • Ursa's Café

AP Test Score Requirements

Possible credit for scores of 4 or 5

IB Test Score Requirements

Possible credit for scores of 6 or 7

Did You Know?

Washington University hosted the presidential debates between George W. Bush and Al Gore in 2000 and the debates between George W. Bush and John Kerry in 2004. In 2008, it hosted the vice presidential debate between Sarah Palin and Joe Biden.

Write for Us!

College Prowler Internship

College Prowler is actively seeking talented students to be "Contributing Authors," and assist with updating the College Prowler guide to their school. This is a great opportunity for a student to gain internship experience, be a part of a nationally recognized company, gain tremendous exposure, utilize new media techniques, and share advice with high school students about what life is really like at your college. Read more >