Washington University in St Louis vs University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis: which has better ROI?
University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $127,268 in 1.4 years versus 2.3 years at Washington University in St Louis, on median earnings of $137,047 vs $86,182 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Washington University in St Louis | University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $21,786 | $31,817 |
| Total net cost | $87,144 | $127,268 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $86,182 | $137,047 |
| Median debt | $17,500 | $17,755 |
| Payback | 2.3 yrs | 1.4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $669,296 | $1,646,472 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Washington University in St Louis or University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis?
Washington University in St Louis, at $21,786 a year after aid versus $31,817 — a gap of $10,031 a year, or $40,124 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Washington University in St Louis or University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis graduates earn more?
University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis graduates report a median $137,047 ten years after entry, $50,865 more than the $86,182 at Washington University in St Louis. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Washington University in St Louis or University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis?
Washington University in St Louis: its completers carry a median $17,500 in federal loans versus $17,755 at University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis, a difference of $255. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
94% of students finish at Washington University in St Louis, against 62% at University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.