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Saint Louis University

#438 in US ranking Saint Louis, MO
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Programs:
4 years or more

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Saint Louis University award
Saint Louis University award

Cost

Cost / year
$74,345
Tuition & fees
$57,960
Avg. aid
$35,812
Receiving aid
100%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
75%
SAT range
1200–1410
ACT range
25–31

Outcomes

Graduation rate
80%
Median salary
$57,653
1 yr after graduation

What is the accreditation of Saint Louis University?

Saint Louis University is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Institutional accreditation evaluates the university as a whole; it is distinct from accreditation of an individual degree or professional school.

SLU also has program-specific accreditation in relevant fields. Examples include accreditation associated with its business, nursing, public health, law and medical education programs, while accreditation for engineering and other specialized degrees must be checked at the individual program level. This distinction matters most when a student is pursuing licensure or a credential with field-specific educational requirements.

Institutional accreditation is relevant to eligibility for federal student aid, and it is one factor other colleges consider when reviewing transfer credit. It does not guarantee that another institution will accept a particular course or that a graduate will qualify for a professional license. Students considering a regulated career should verify the exact program's current accreditation and the licensing rules of the state where they intend to work.

What are the admission requirements at Saint Louis University?

First-year applicants to Saint Louis University generally submit an undergraduate application and a secondary-school transcript showing completion of high school or an accepted equivalent. SLU is not an open-admission institution: it reviews applicants' academic preparation rather than admitting everyone who applies.

Institutional admissions reporting identifies the high-school record and GPA as required review items. Class rank is neither required nor recommended, while recommendations and completion of a college-preparatory curriculum are considered rather than universally required. SLU's general first-year process is test-optional: SAT or ACT scores may be considered when submitted, but applicants should check whether a particular program or scholarship has different rules. Among enrolled first-year students who submitted scores, the reported median was 1325 on the SAT and 30 on the ACT; those figures describe score-submitters, not every entrant or a minimum for admission.

In the reported admissions cycle, SLU admitted about 75% of its 15,533 first-year applicants. That university-wide rate does not describe the selectivity of an individual major. International applicants may need to document English proficiency, and programs with clinical, artistic or other specialized components can have additional steps. Applicants should use the admissions requirements and deadlines for their own applicant category and intended program rather than assuming one university-wide checklist applies to all degrees.

What are the application fees and waivers at Saint Louis University?

Saint Louis University does not charge a standard application fee for its general undergraduate application. A student should not confuse an application fee with a later enrollment deposit or with charges connected to a particular program.

Graduate and professional schools may use different applications and fee policies. Applicants to those programs should check the fee shown in their specific application before submitting it. If a program does charge a fee, its admissions office can explain whether a waiver is available and when a request must be made; a waiver should not be assumed to apply automatically across SLU's schools.

What types of ROTC programs are available at Saint Louis University?

Saint Louis University students have access to Air Force ROTC on campus and Army ROTC through a cooperating institution. These are different participation arrangements: an on-campus unit has a presence at SLU, while a cross-enrolled student may need to travel for some training and classes.

ROTC participation involves coursework and leadership training in addition to a degree program. Scholarship availability, medical and citizenship eligibility, commissioning requirements, and any resulting military service obligation depend on the branch and the student's circumstances. Interested applicants should confirm the current host-unit arrangement, travel expectations and scholarship application process with the relevant ROTC detachment before building ROTC into a four-year academic or financial plan.

What are the requirements for transfer students at Saint Louis University?

Saint Louis University accepts transfer applicants and generally reviews college credit earned at accredited institutions. Transfer students can enter in fall, spring or summer, subject to the admission schedule and capacity of their intended program.

A transfer application typically centers on official transcripts from every college attended, along with any additional records required for the applicant's educational history. Admission to SLU and acceptance of individual courses are separate decisions: a course can transfer as credit without satisfying a specific major requirement. SLU reports accepting several forms of examination or recommended credit, including CLEP, DSST and American Council on Education recommendations, but the amount and use of such credit depend on university and program rules.

Before enrolling, a transfer applicant should request a program-specific evaluation showing which courses satisfy general education, prerequisites and major requirements. This is particularly important for sequenced degrees such as nursing or engineering. Students should also check any minimum SLU-credit requirement for graduation and whether their program has a separate GPA threshold or application deadline.

What types of study abroad programs are available at Saint Louis University?

Saint Louis University offers study abroad, including opportunities connected to its Madrid campus. Depending on the program, students may consider a semester, a shorter faculty-led experience or another approved international option.

The Madrid campus is a distinctive option because students can take SLU courses abroad rather than assuming every international experience is run by an outside provider. Other programs can involve partners or third parties. Those arrangements affect course approval, housing, billing and the way financial aid applies, so the program type matters as much as the destination.

Students should obtain academic approval before committing to a program, especially when a major has tightly sequenced courses or clinical requirements. Study abroad advising can help them compare credits, dates and costs. Scholarships and existing aid may be usable in some circumstances, but students need an award-specific financial review rather than assuming their usual package will cover every program.

Saint Louis University Admissions Factors

SAT range
1200–1410
4001600
ACT range
25–31
136
Acceptance rate
75%

Acceptance rate vs. median

This school
75%
Missouri
77%
US
78%

14% of admitted students enrolled (1,615 of 11,656)

ACT scores of enrolled students

ACT in range 12-17
ACT in range 18-23
ACT in range 24-29
ACT in range 30-36

Saint Louis University Admissions

Applicants
Total: 15,533
Admission
Total: 11,656
Enrolled
Total: 1,615
Women
Men

How to Apply to Saint Louis University

Early Decision

Yes, deadline November 1

Early Action

Yes, deadline December 1

Saint Louis University First-Year Students

Where first-year students come from

In-state: 747
Out-of-state: 758
International: 95

Freshmen vs. transfer students

Freshmen: 1,615
Transfer: 557

Saint Louis University Admission Requirements

Median composite SAT score

1325

Median composite ACT score

30

Percent of students submitting ACT scores

44%

Percent of students submitting SAT scores

11%

High school completions

General Educational Development (GED) required

Secondary school GPA

Required

Secondary school rank

Neither required nor recommended

Secondary school record

Required

Completion of college-preparatory program

Considered but not required

Recommendations

Considered but not required

Formal demonstration of competencies

Required

Admission test scores

Considered but not required

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language

Required

Other Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)

Neither required nor recommended

Open admission policy

No

Dual credit

No

Credit for life experiences

No

Advanced placement (AP) credits

Yes

Special learning opportunities

Orientation program

Yes

ROTC-Army

ROTC branch unit at a cooperating host institution

ROTC-Air Force

ROTC branch unit on campus

Study abroad

Yes

Student can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization

Yes

Preparation at another institution required

No

Approved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher

Yes

Saint Louis University Transfer Acceptance Rate

Generally accepts credits

Yes

Accept ACE recommendation for credit

Yes

Possible transfer

Fall, Spring, Summer

Data last updated on November 5, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.

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