WashU Acceptance Rate: Class of 2030 Admissions Statistics

Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) welcomed 3,968 students from a pool of 33,283 applicants for the Class of 2029, landing at an 11.92% acceptance rate and cementing its place among the nation’s most competitive universities.

For the Class of 2030, Early Decision (ED) I notifications went out in December 2025, with ED II following in February 2026. Regular Decision (RD) results are set to arrive on April 1. Complete admissions data for the Class of 2030 hasn’t been released yet and will likely become available after RD results are announced.

In this blog, we’ll break down WashU’s latest overall, ED, RD, transfer, and waitlist acceptance rates and trace how the numbers have shifted over the years.

• WashU Acceptance Rates
• WashU Early Decision Acceptance Rate
• WashU Regular Decision Acceptance Rate
• WashU Transfer Acceptance Rate
• WashU Waitlist Acceptance Rate
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

WashU Acceptance Rates

WashU’s overall acceptance rate for the Class of 2029 came in at 11.92%, a slight decline from the 12.06% recorded for the Class of 2028 and broadly in line with the 11–12% range seen over the past few years. The applicant pool grew modestly from 32,754 for the Class of 2028 to 33,283 for the Class of 2029, while the number of admitted students has remained relatively stable around 3,900.

However, zooming out over the past decade, WashU’s acceptance rate has fallen considerably, dropping from nearly 16% for the Class of 2021 to the low double digits in recent years. Here’s the complete picture:

Note: All data has been compiled from WashU’s Common Data Set.

Applications climbed roughly 10% from 30,463 for the Class of 2021 to a peak of 33,634 for the Class of 2025, partly fueled by test-optional policies adopted during the pandemic. The dip to 25,426 for the Class of 2023 stands out as an outlier, though volumes recovered and have since held steady in the low-to-mid 30,000s.

Meanwhile, the number of admitted students has trended downward, falling from 4,863 for the Class of 2021 to around 3,800 to 3,900 in recent years. That combination of growing applications and a tighter admit count has pushed the acceptance rate from 15.96% for the Class of 2021 down to a recent low of 11.33% for the Class of 2026. The modest recovery to 11.92% for the Class of 2029 reflects a slight increase in admitted students.

WashU Early Decision Acceptance Rate

The most recent ED figures available are from the Class of 2028, when WashU received 4,817 early applications and admitted 1,217 students for an acceptance rate of 25.26%, nearly unchanged from 25.64% for the Class of 2027.

Unlike many peer institutions that offer a single early round, WashU offers two binding Early Decision rounds: ED I and ED II, giving applicants an additional early opportunity to commit. Early Decision data for the Classes of 2029 and 2030 has not yet been released.

WashU typically announces its ED results alongside or shortly after decisions go out, so complete figures for the Class of 2030 are expected following the conclusion of the ED II round.

WashU Early Decision acceptance rate trends

WashU’s ED acceptance rates have declined significantly over the past decade, falling from over 40% to the mid-20s. Here’s a breakdown:

Note: Early Decision data has been sourced from WashU’s Common Data Set.

ED applications have surged over the past decade, more than doubling from 1,808 for the Class of 2021 to 4,817 for the Class of 2028. While the number of admitted students also grew from 692 to around 1,100 to 1,200, it has not kept pace with the spike in demand, pushing the ED acceptance rate from a high of 41.96% for the Class of 2022 down to the mid-20s in recent years.

That said, ED applicants continue to fare considerably better than their RD counterparts, making ED a meaningful strategic consideration for students with WashU as their top choice.

WashU Regular Decision Acceptance Rate

The most recent RD figures available are from the Class of 2028, when WashU received 27,937 applications and admitted 2,734 students for an acceptance rate of 9.79%, up slightly from 9.73% for the Class of 2027.

RD data for the Class of 2029 and 2030 has not yet been released, with notifications expected in April 2026.

WashU Regular Decision acceptance rate trends

WashU’s RD acceptance rates have trended downward over the past decade, falling from around 14% for the Class of 2021 to a low of 9.20% for the Class of 2026, before stabilizing in the 9–10% range in recent cycles. Here’s a breakdown:

Note: RD figures are estimates derived by subtracting ED data from overall totals in WashU’s Common Data Set filings.

RD applications have fluctuated over the past decade, peaking at 29,880 for the Class of 2025 before settling at 27,937 for the Class of 2028. Meanwhile, admitted RD students have declined sharply, from 4,171 for the Class of 2021 down to the 2,600–2,700 range for the Class of 2026 to 2028.

That narrowing of the admit pool, despite a broadly stable application volume, is what pushed the RD rate from 14.56% for the Class of 2021 to a low of around 9% in the most recent cycles.

Compared to the ED round, RD remains noticeably more competitive, reinforcing the advantage that binding early applicants hold in WashU’s admissions process.

WashU Transfer Acceptance Rate

The most recent available WashU transfer data comes from Fall 2024, with an acceptance rate of 14.01%. Here’s the breakdown:

Note: Fall 2024 transfer data is from WashU’s Common Data Set for 2024–2025, the same reporting year that includes Class of 2028 first-year admissions data.

WashU’s transfer process is notably more accessible than many of its peer institutions, though still selective. The 14.01% transfer acceptance rate sits comfortably above the 12.06% overall first-year rate for the Class of 2028, suggesting that transfer applicants have a somewhat better shot at admission than incoming freshmen.

WashU Waitlist Acceptance Rate

The most recent available WashU waitlist data comes from the Class of 2028, with a waitlist acceptance rate of 7.90%. Here’s the breakdown:

Note: Class of 2028 waitlist data is from WashU’s Common Data Set for 2024–2025.

A spot on WashU’s waitlist is no guarantee of admission. Of the 2,658 students who confirmed their waitlist interest, only 210 were ultimately admitted, a 7.90% waitlist acceptance rate.

This suggests that while waitlisted students who remain engaged have a real, if slim, chance at admission, the process remains highly competitive and largely dependent on enrollment needs after the regular round concludes.

If you find yourself on WashU’s waitlist, read our comprehensive WashU waitlist guide to learn the strategic steps you can take to maximize your chances of converting that waitlist spot into an offer of admission.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is WashU’s current acceptance rate?

The most recent confirmed acceptance rate is 11.92% for the Class of 2029, with 33,283 applicants and 3,968 admitted.

2. Is it easier to get into WashU through Early Decision or Regular Decision?

ED applicants tend to have higher chances than those applying through RD.. For the Class of 2028, the ED rate was 25.26% compared to 9.79% for RD. Keep in mind, however, that ED is a binding commitment, and early applicants tend to be among the most competitive in the pool.

3. How hard is it to transfer to WashU?

Competitive, but more accessible than first-year admissions. For Fall 2024, 239 out of 1,706 transfer applicants were admitted, a 14.01% acceptance rate, almost 2% higher than the first-year rate of 12.06%.

4. What are my chances of getting off WashU’s waitlist?

It depends on enrollment needs after the regular round closes. For the Class of 2028, WashU’s waitlist acceptance rate was 7.90%.

5. Why is WashU’s acceptance rate declining?

Application volumes have grown significantly over the past decade while class sizes have remained relatively stable, pushing the acceptance rate steadily downward.

Takeaways

• WashU’s acceptance rate has fallen sharply over the past decade, from 15.96% for the Class of 2021 to a recent lowest of 11.33% for the Class of 2026 and 11.92% for Class of 2029.
• Applying ED offers a meaningful statistical edge. For the Class of 2028, the ED rate was 25.26% compared to 9.79% for RD, but ED is binding, so it should only be used if WashU is a clear first choice.
• WashU offers two binding early rounds, ED I and ED II,  giving applicants an additional structured opportunity to signal demonstrated interest.
• Transfer admission is more attainable than the first-year rate suggests, with a 14.01% acceptance rate for Fall 2024. Waitlist outcomes are unpredictable, with only 7.90% admitted for the Class of 2028.
• Given the increasing competitiveness of WashU admissions, working with a college admissions expert can help you craft a compelling application, identify the right timing strategy, and put your strongest foot forward.