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Washington and Lee University

Private Nonprofit Graduate Strong 84/100

Washington and Lee University

See admissions data, costs, student outcomes, and academic programs, all verified from official US government sources.

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Lexington, Virginia

About Washington and Lee University

Washington and Lee University is a private nonprofit institution offering graduate degrees based in Lexington, Virginia. It enrolls 1,881 students (a mid-sized student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.

Official website: wlu.edu

Acceptance: 14%
Graduation: 93.3%
Net Price: $23,781
Median Earnings (10yr): $94,810
Enrollment: 1,881
Student : Faculty: 8:1

Accreditor Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Academic Calendar 4-1-4 Plan

How It Measures Up

US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.

Strong

84/100

UCD Score · 4-Year Selective

Outcomes 97

Value 84

Affordability 18

Selectivity 97

Admissions & Acceptance Rate

With an acceptance rate of 14%, Washington and Lee University is a selective institution.

Acceptance Rate

14%

Very Selective

SAT Range (25th–75th)

1430 – 1540

Reading + Math combined

ACT Range (25th–75th)

33 – 34

Cumulative composite

Test Policy Not Considered Standardized test scores are not used in admissions decisions.

5-Year Admission Trend

Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether Washington and Lee University is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.

Stable ↓ 1.2 pts since 2019

Cost & Financial Aid

The real cost of attending Washington and Lee University isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $23,781 per year. That's in line with the typical net price for private nonprofit colleges nationally.

Average Net Price

$23,781

Per year, after typical aid

Receive Pell Grants

11%

Need-based federal aid

Receive Federal Loans

14%

Borrowing to attend

Full Cost Breakdown

Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.

Tuition & Fees: $68,045
Room & Board (on-campus): $18,685
Books & Supplies: $2,370
Other Expenses (on-campus): $2,600
Total Cost of Attendance: $87,000

Application fee: $60 (one-time, due at submission)

Net Price by Family Income

Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.

Under $30,000

$-1,777
$30,001 – $48,000

$75
$48,001 – $75,000

$4,497
$75,001 – $110,000

$8,162
Over $110,000

$40,646

Debt at Graduation

Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.

$5,302

10% percentile

$7,500

25% percentile

$19,500

Median percentile

$27,000

75% percentile

$29,500

90% percentile

Median Debt by Student Type

Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.

GroupDebtvs Median

Pell recipients $10,786 ↓ $8,714

No Pell $19,500 —

Female students $15,000 ↓ $4,500

Male students $19,500 —

Worth knowing: Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $15,420, close to what completers borrow ($19,500) but without the degree to show for it.

Graduation Rate & Retention

93% of full-time students who enrolled at Washington and Lee University graduate within six years, and 96% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.

6-Year Graduation Rate

93%

Of students who graduate within six years

First-Year Retention

96%

Returning for their second year

What this means: Strong completion signals. Most students who start, finish.

After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes

According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered Washington and Lee University earn a median of $94,810 ten years after first enrolling. That's well above the national median for U.S. colleges.

Median Earnings (10 yrs)

$94,810

Earning > $25K

89%

10 yrs after entry

Earnings Growth After Graduation

Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.

Earnings by Demographic

Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.

By Gender

Female graduates

$76,500

Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.

Male graduates

$106,000

Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.

The gender gap: Male graduates earn $29,500, about 28% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.

What this means: Solid return on investment. Every dollar of net annual cost is matched by ~$4.0 of median earnings 10 years out.

Who Studies Here

Washington and Lee University is home to 1,881 students, a mid-sized community.

Total Enrolled

1,881

Part-Time

First-Generation

—

Race & Ethnicity Breakdown

Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.

GroupShareStudents

White 68.0% 1,279

Hispanic 8.6% 162

International 8.2% 155

Asian 4.7% 89

Other 4.7% 88

Black 4.6% 86

Student Life & Campus Culture

Where students live, learn, and connect at Washington and Lee University. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.

Setting

Town: Distant Lexington, Virginia

Housing

Strongly residential 1,478 beds for 1,881 students

Adult Learners

1% of students are 25 or older

Athletics

NCAA athletic-conference member

Academic Calendar

4-1-4 Plan scheduling structure

What You Can Study

Washington and Lee University offers a varied set of programs: 33 distinct programs across 18 majors. Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings. Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.

2 Programs

Business

Business Administration $68K ($48K–$94K)
Accounting $76K ($56K–$97K)

1 Program

Legal Studies

Law $143K ($74K–$297K)

3 Programs

Biology

Biology $57K ($39K–$79K)
Neurobiology $62K ($41K–$89K)
Biochemistry & Biophysics $65K ($45K–$88K)

4 Programs

Languages

Romance Languages $55K ($38K–$73K)
Classics and Classical Languages $49K ($32K–$68K)
East Asian Languages $52K ($32K–$74K)

1 Program

English

English $49K ($34K–$64K)

1 Program

Natural Resources

Natural Resources Conservation and Research $55K ($39K–$73K)

1 Program

Computer Science

Computer Science $107K ($75K–$152K)

View all majors View all programs

Faculty & Resources

The student-to-faculty ratio at Washington and Lee University is 8:1, low (small classes, more faculty contact).

Student : Faculty

8:1

Students per instructional faculty member

Endowment

$2.2B

Strong financial cushion supports aid and stability

Avg Faculty Salary

$124,908

9-month equivalent across all ranks

Faculty by Rank

268 instructional faculty across 6 ranks. The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.

Rank	Faculty Count	Share	Avg Salary
Full Professors	100	37%	$161,852
Associate Professors	49	18%	$126,352
Assistant Professors	92	34%	$96,852
Instructors	22	8%	$84,456
Lecturers	2	1%	$60,900
No Rank	3	1%	$69,583

Pros & Cons of Washington and Lee University

A quick at-a-glance summary of how Washington and Lee University tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.

PROS

Highly selective, strong peer cohort
Small classes (low student-faculty ratio)
Strong six-year graduation rate
Strong first-year retention
Above-average post-graduation earnings

CONS

Above-average net price
Highly competitive admissions, many strong applicants are rejected
Very high published cost of attendance (full-pay families pay much more than the net-price average)
Predominantly serves middle- and upper-income families

Best for: Based on the data, Washington and Lee University is a fit for students prioritizing post-graduation earnings; students seeking a highly selective peer group.

Frequently Asked Questions about Washington and Lee University

Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about Washington and Lee University.

Is Washington and Lee University hard to get into?

Washington and Lee University is highly selective. Its acceptance rate is 14%, so admitted students generally have strong grades, competitive test scores, and a well-rounded application.

What is the acceptance rate at Washington and Lee University?

Washington and Lee University has an acceptance rate of 14%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.

What SAT score do you need for Washington and Lee University?

The middle 50% of admitted students at Washington and Lee University scored between 1430 and 1540 on the SAT (Reading + Math combined). Scores at the higher end of that range improve admissions odds materially. Per IPEDS 2023-24 data.

What ACT score do you need for Washington and Lee University?

The middle 50% of admitted students at Washington and Lee University scored between 33 and 34 on the ACT composite. Scores in the upper half of that range strengthen an application. Source: IPEDS 2023-24.

How much does Washington and Lee University cost?

The average net price after aid at Washington and Lee University is $23,781 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.

Is Washington and Lee University worth it?

Solid return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $94,810 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $23,781 per year. That's roughly 4.0x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.

What is Washington and Lee University known for?

Washington and Lee University is best known for its programs in Law, Business Administration, Political Science. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.

What do Washington and Lee University graduates earn?

Median earnings 10 years after entering Washington and Lee University are $94,810, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.

Is Washington and Lee University accredited?

Yes. Washington and Lee University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

How many students attend Washington and Lee University?

Washington and Lee University enrolls 1,881 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.

What is the graduation rate at Washington and Lee University?

Washington and Lee University graduates 93% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.

Is Washington and Lee University a public or private college?

Washington and Lee University is a Private Nonprofit institution.

Where is Washington and Lee University located?

Washington and Lee University is located in Lexington, Virginia.

What programs does Washington and Lee University offer?

Washington and Lee University offers 33 distinct programs. The most popular include Law, Business Administration, Political Science.

What is the student-to-faculty ratio at Washington and Lee University?

The student-to-faculty ratio at Washington and Lee University is 8:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.