Washington and Lee Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
Washington and Lee University is a selective private research university in Lexington, Virginia, enrolling about 1,881 students. Admission is selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 13.97% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $94,810 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $68,045
- 2024 Average Net Price: $23,781 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 13.97% Selective
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 1,881 100.0% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 93.88%
- Carnegie Classification: Baccalaureate Colleges: Diverse Fields
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 4.5% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price decrease of 18.9% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 87.8%
- Average SAT Score: 1498
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 1,896
- Applicants (IPEDS): 6,820
- Room & Board: $18,685 annual estimate
Washington and Lee University: what the data shows
Common questions about Washington and Lee University, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Washington and Lee University?
Washington and Lee University is located in Lexington, VA (ZIP 24450-2116).
NCES locale classification: Town distant.
Is Washington and Lee University public or private?
Washington and Lee University is a Private Non-profit institution.
How much does Washington and Lee University cost?
Published tuition: $68,045.
Average net price after aid: $23,781.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $-1,777 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $75 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $4,497 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $8,162 |
| $110,001+ | $40,646 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $272,180.
How hard is it to get into Washington and Lee University?
Admission rate: 13.97%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1498 and midpoint ACT 34.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Washington and Lee University?
Total enrollment: 1,881 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 1,896 students.
Graduate enrollment: 355 students.
About 100% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Washington and Lee University?
150%-time completion rate: 93.88%.
First-year retention: 96.6%.
What do graduates of Washington and Lee University earn?
Median earnings: $76,516 six years after entry; $94,810 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $19,500.
11.33% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Washington and Lee University known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Law (142 completions)
- Business Administration and Management, General (109 completions)
- Political Science and Government, General (58 completions)
- Accounting and Business/Management (48 completions)
- Research and Experimental Psychology, Other (45 completions)
- Economics, General (42 completions)
- History, General (29 completions)
- Neuroscience (23 completions)
- Sociology and Anthropology (23 completions)
- Computer Science (18 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Washington and Lee University a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 13.97%; completion rate 93.88%; median earnings $94,810 at 10 years; net price $23,781. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$68,045
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Washington and Lee University was $68,045.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$23,781
2024 Value
In 2024 Washington and Lee University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $23,781.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$95,124 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$23,781 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$272,180 4-Year Tuition
$18,685 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$2,370 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$89,100 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$356,400 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Washington and Lee University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
11.33% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
14.49% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Washington and Lee University was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Washington and Lee University in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $44,507 | $44,507 | $23,916 |
| 2014 | $45,617 | $45,617 | $24,655 |
| 2015 | $46,417 | $46,417 | $24,472 |
| 2016 | $48,267 | $48,267 | $26,659 |
| 2017 | $50,170 | $50,170 | $25,961 |
| 2018 | $52,455 | $52,455 | $27,083 |
| 2019 | $54,830 | $54,830 | $22,615 |
| 2020 | $57,285 | $57,285 | $26,175 |
| 2021 | $59,380 | $59,380 | $27,417 |
| 2022 | $61,750 | $61,750 | $29,479 |
| 2023 | $64,525 | $64,525 | $23,911 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
13.97% Acceptance Rate
6,820 Total Applicants
1,184 Students Admitted
502 First-Time Students Enrolled
42.40% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution is highly selective, accepting fewer than 3 in 10 applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1498
ACT Average: 34
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.7 - 3.9
Estimated Median GPA: 3.85
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Washington and Lee University reported total enrollment of about 1,881 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 49% male and 51% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (68.0%), Hispanic or Latino (8.6%), and Non-Resident Alien (8.2%). About 11.33% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
100.0% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Washington and Lee University in 2024 is 1,881 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 1,896 students. Graduate enrollment is about 355 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
96.6%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 68.0%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
89.45% 100% Completion Time
93.88% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 89.45% of students graduating from Washington and Lee University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Law: 46% male / 54% female
- Business Administration and Management, General: 63% male / 37% female
- Political Science and Government, General: 43% male / 57% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Washington and Lee University.
Return on Investment
$19,500 Median Student Debt
$94,810 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
20.57% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
896.70% Return on Investment
2.1 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Washington and Lee University.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 33 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Law: 142 completions
2. Business Administration and Management, General: 109 completions
3. Political Science and Government, General: 58 completions
4. Accounting and Business/Management: 48 completions
5. Research and Experimental Psychology, Other: 45 completions
6. Economics, General: 42 completions
7. History, General: 29 completions
8. Neuroscience: 23 completions
9. Sociology and Anthropology: 23 completions
Most popular programs at Washington and Lee University.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Washington and Lee University graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Washington and Lee University from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 87.8%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $14,155
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $40,378
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Washington and Lee University is a private non-profit institution located in Lexington, VA, classified as Baccalaureate Colleges: Diverse Fields. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Law, Business Administration and Management, General, Political Science and Government, General. Enrollment is approximately 1,881 students. Student body composition includes White (68.0%), Hispanic or Latino (8.6%), Non-Resident Alien (8.2%). It is highly selective, with an admission rate of 13.97%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1498. The 150%-time completion rate is 93.88%. Approximately 11.33% of students receive Pell Grants.
Institution Type
Private Non-profit
Carnegie Classification: Baccalaureate Colleges: Diverse Fields
Location
Lexington, VA 24450-2116
Region: Southeast
Insights and Analysis
Exceptional Graduation Rate: With a 93.88% graduation rate, Washington and Lee University demonstrates strong student retention and completion. This rate significantly exceeds the national average, indicating effective academic support and student services.
Strong Career Outcomes: Washington and Lee University graduates report median earnings of $94,810 ten years after entry, placing them among the higher-earning college graduates nationally. This strong earnings potential reflects both the quality of education and the career opportunities available to graduates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Washington and Lee University located?
Washington and Lee University is located in Lexington, VA.
What is Washington and Lee University's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Washington and Lee University is 14.0% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 6,820 applicants and 1,184 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does Washington and Lee University cost?
Reported tuition is $68,045 and average net price is $23,781 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $18,685 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Washington and Lee University?
Washington and Lee University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 1,896 students, White (68.0%), Hispanic or Latino (8.6%) in federal College Scorecard data.
What test scores do students need for Washington and Lee University?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Washington and Lee University reports midpoint SAT about 1498 and midpoint ACT about 34.
What do graduates of Washington and Lee University earn?
Median earnings are $76,516 six years after entry and $94,810 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Washington and Lee University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 93.9% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Washington and Lee University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $19,500.
Is Washington and Lee University public or private?
Washington and Lee University is a private nonprofit institution located in Lexington, VA.
Is Washington and Lee University an HBCU?
No. Washington and Lee University is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Washington and Lee University a tribal college?
No. Washington and Lee University is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Is Washington and Lee University a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI)?
Using a 25% Hispanic enrollment threshold on College Scorecard demographics, Washington and Lee University does not meet that proxy (reported share 8.6%).
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Virginia college costs
- Virginia colleges by ROI
- Southeast regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Virginia
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.