Founded in 1853 by Elihu Smith Medill and William Greenleaf Eliot, Washington University in St. Louis is a premier private research university located in St. Louis County and St. Louis City, Missouri. Spanning a lush 169-acre Danforth Campus featuring Collegiate Gothic stone architecture and shade trees, WashU connects world-class liberal arts education with elite biomedical research and architectural design. You can examine its founding charter, historic world's fair legacy, and institutional growth through the WashU Wikipedia historical entry.
When you attend WashU, you enter an intellectually rigorous environment known for interdisciplinary collaboration, low student-to-faculty ratios, and active undergraduate research. Living in St. Louis places you adjacent to Forest Park, giving you direct access to major museums, medical centers, cultural venues, and corporate headquarters.
Premier Academic Programs
WashU organizes its instruction across seven specialized undergraduate and graduate schools holding top global reputations:
- Olin Business School: World-renowned business school famous for experiential learning, corporate finance, entrepreneurship, and global strategy. Explore degree paths on the Olin Business School portal.
- McKelvey School of Engineering: Global leader in biomedical engineering, computer science, environmental engineering, and materials science.
- Washington University School of Medicine: Top-ranked medical research institution partnered directly with Barnes-Jewish Hospital and St. Louis Children's Hospital.
- Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts: Combines elite instruction in architecture, studio arts, and urban design.
- School of Law: Premier private law school specializing in constitutional policy, intellectual property, and trial advocacy.
"Per Veritatem Vis, translated from Latin as Strength Through Truth, serves as Washington University's official motto, guiding scholarly inquiry."
Campus Culture and Mascot
Your daily undergraduate student experience centers on Graham Chapel, the Brookings Hall quadrangle, and the Sumers Recreation Center. School spirit revolves around the WashU Bear, the beloved official mascot representing Washington University Bears athletic teams competing in NCAA Division III events. You can read about spirit traditions and mascot history on the official WashU Bears Athletics portal. Participating in the biannual WILD music festival, studying inside Olin Library, and joining over 450 student organizations creates a memorable campus culture.
Research Infrastructure and Medical Discovery
WashU operates an extraordinary multi-billion-dollar research enterprise leading global advances in genomics and medicine:
- McDonnell Genome Institute: Historic research center that played a leading role in the international Human Genome Project.
- Institute for Public Health: Interdisciplinary research institute evaluating health disparities, chronic disease control, and global health policy. Learn more via WashU Research Operations.
- Siteman Cancer Center: National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center driving novel immunotherapies.
Notable Alumni Legacy
You walk in the footsteps of Nobel laureates, Supreme Court justices, corporate leaders, and literary icons, including:
- Tennessee Williams: Legendary Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright who studied drama at WashU.
- Phyllis Schlafly: Constitutional attorney, author, and political activist who earned her undergraduate and law degrees at WashU.
- George Whipple: Nobel laureate in Physiology or Medicine who completed scientific research at WashU.
- Julian Hill: Chemist who co-invented nylon while working in industrial research.
WashU meets 100 percent of demonstrated financial need for all admitted undergraduate students through grant-based aid packages without loans. Review complete admission standards and deadlines on the official WashU Undergraduate Admissions portal.