Colleges › Virginia › Washington and Lee University

Washington and Lee University

Washington and Lee University is based in the town of Lexington, VA — a private campus in a small-town setting. International students are a visible presence at Washington and Lee University — 8.2% of its 1,881 undergraduates come from outside the U.S.

Compare this school Find colleges

What could it cost?

Start with net price after grants, then read the published costs. Each chart names its academic year and the students it covers.

Net price by family income

key chart

Average annual cost after grants for each family-income band. These group averages are not personal price quotes.

IPEDS Income brackets, 2022–23

family-income band

$76

family income
under $30k

$887

$30–48k

$6,983

$48–75k

$9,222

$75–110k

$42,745

over $110k

Average net price

$23,7812023–24Skip to data table

Average annual attendance cost after grants for the reported student group. Your own aid offer and costs may differ.

Average net price at Washington and Lee University has wandered from 2008 to 2023 — up to $29,479 at the peak — but ends near where it began, at $23,781.

Average net price — data
Year	Net price
2008	$23,200
2009	$28,554
2010	$26,047
2011	$24,434
2012	$23,916
2013	$24,655
2014	$24,472
2015	$26,659
2016	$25,961
2017	$27,083
2018	$22,615
2019	$26,175
2020	$27,417
2021	$29,479
2022	$23,911
2023	$23,781

IPEDS 16 federal reports, 2008–2023

Total cost of attendance

$87,0002024–25Skip to data table

Estimated annual attendance budget before grants, including tuition, fees, housing, food and books. Not every expense is billed by the school.

Total cost at Washington and Lee University rose from $49,268 (2009) to $87,000 (2024).

Total cost of attendance — data
Year	Cost
2009	$49,268
2010	$51,130
2011	$53,082
2012	$54,843
2013	$56,616
2014	$58,575
2015	$61,310
2016	$62,350
2017	$64,700
2018	$67,150
2019	$70,500
2020	$73,900
2021	$77,600
2022	$80,300
2023	$82,990
2024	$87,000

IPEDS Academic-year cost 2009–2024

Tuition & fees

Skip to data table

Published tuition and fees before grants. Housing, food, books and other attendance costs are separate.

Tuition & fees — data
Year	Tuition & fees
2000	$17,965
2001	$19,345
2002	$21,175
2003	$23,295
2004	$25,760
2005	$28,635
2006	$31,175
2007	$35,445
2008	$37,412
2013	$44,507
2014	$45,617
2015	$46,417
2016	$48,267
2017	$50,170
2018	$52,455
2019	$54,830
2020	$57,285
2021	$59,380
2022	$61,750
2023	$64,525

IPEDS Published price 2000–01 to 2023–24 (not adjusted for inflation)

Cost, size & completion summary

Cost, size & completion

Reported tuition is $68,045 before grants and other attendance costs. At Washington and Lee University, aid and other costs change the bill. Scorecard snapshot: 2026-06-10; historical charts show their own years.

Enrollment sits at 1,881 — Washington and Lee University is one of the smaller campuses on this site.

93.9% of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants completed at Washington and Lee University within six years (2026-06-10 release). This measure excludes other student groups.

Do students finish — and what comes after?

Graduation, debt and earnings cover different groups. Read each chart's entering class or fiscal period; they are not one group's journey.

Six-year graduation rate

key chart

93.9%entered Fall 2018Skip to data table

The share of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants who completed at this institution within six years. Other students are not included.

The six-year graduation rate at Washington and Lee University has held near 93.9% from Fall 1991 to Fall 2018 entering cohorts.

A six-year rate can only describe a class that entered six or more years ago — by definition the last point on the line is that old.

Six-year graduation rate — data
Year	Graduated within 6 yrs
1991 cohort	87.4%
1992 cohort	83.1%
1993 cohort	85.9%
1994 cohort	87.6%
1995 cohort	89.1%
1996 cohort	87.7%
1997 cohort	88.3%
1998 cohort	90.2%
1999 cohort	87.4%
2000 cohort	86.6%
2001 cohort	88.7%
2002 cohort	88.8%
2003 cohort	90.7%
2004 cohort	92.8%
2005 cohort	91%
2006 cohort	90%
2007 cohort	90.2%
2008 cohort	87.7%
2009 cohort	90.9%
2010 cohort	91.7%
2011 cohort	91.9%
2012 cohort	95%
2013 cohort	94.4%
2014 cohort	93.4%
2015 cohort	93.6%
2016 cohort	94.8%
2017 cohort	94.9%
2018 cohort	93.9%

IPEDS Entering cohorts 1991–2018

Median debt at exit (completers vs non-completers)

Historical student groups

key chart

Skip to data table

Median federal student loan debt when students left school, shown separately for those who completed and those who did not.

CompletedLeft without degree

Each point combines two years. Neighboring points share one year, so changes should be read with that overlap in mind.

These two-year windows closed before today's students borrowed — they describe past cohorts, not the current price of a degree.

Median debt at exit — data
Year	Completed	Left without degree
Left school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98)	$15,625	$12,615
Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99)	$15,562	$2,625
Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00)	$14,500	$2,625
Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01)	$14,500	$11,050
Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02)	$13,625	$10,590
Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03)	$13,455	$4,375
Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04)	$14,500	$4,375
Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05)	$14,500	$4,375
Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06)	$14,500	$3,500
Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07)	$14,500	$3,135
Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08)	$14,500	$3,500
Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09)	$14,500	$3,500
Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10)	$15,000	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11)	$16,225	$5,675
Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12)	$19,273	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13)	$18,500	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14)	$19,500	—
Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15)	$21,500	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16)	$21,500	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17)	$19,917	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18)	$19,500	$5,225
Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19)	$20,500	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20)	$19,500	$15,805
Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)	$19,500	$15,420

NSLDS GRAD_DEBT_MDN / WDRAW_DEBT_MDN, merged FY periods · via College Scorecard

Earnings after entry

Historical student groups

Median annual earnings after entering college, for federally aided students who were working and not enrolled when measured.

Entered: academic years 2013–14 or 2014–15

$76,516

6 years after entry

Entered: academic years 2011–12 or 2012–13

$89,772

8 years after entry

Entered: academic years 2009–10 or 2010–11

$94,810

10 years after entry

Each figure covers a different group of students who entered college in the stated years. Earnings were measured in the same two years; these are not one group followed over time.

Measured in 2020–21, adjusted for inflation to 2022 dollars. Each figure pools two entering academic years.

Treasury Pooled entering cohorts · Scorecard 2020–21 historical file

What does the admissions record show?

Rates and score ranges describe a past admissions cycle. Submitted scores are not cutoffs or a prediction of admission.

Admissions snapshot & test policies

Washington and Lee University admitted 1,147 of 8,213 applicants in Fall 2024. The 14% rate describes that application pool.

14%

acceptance rate · Fall 2024 admissions cycle

rate trend $64,525 tuition · 2023–24 1,881 undergraduates · Fall 2024

Test-optional (considered) · Fall 2024

400SAT range (section 25th/75th sums): 1430–15401600

Not sure where you stand? Estimate your GPA →

Admissions

In the Fall 2024 cycle, Washington and Lee University received 8,213 applications and admitted 1,147 (14%), with 472 enrolling.

Washington and Lee University reported scores as considered but not required for the Fall 2024 admissions cycle. For Washington and Lee University’s enrolled SAT submitters, Reading and Writing was 710–760 and Math was 720–780 (25th–75th percentiles). The section-percentile sums 1430–1540 are not composite-score percentiles. These are not admission cutoffs.

Check current requirements with admissions.

Score	25th	50th	75th
SAT Reading & Writing	710	730	760
SAT Math	720	750	780
ACT Composite	33	34	34

25th / 75th: a quarter of enrolled submitters scored below the first number, a quarter above the second. These are not cutoffs.

Only students who submitted scores are counted — at test-optional schools, many enrolled students aren't in this table.

Percentiles are among enrolled students who submitted scores (Fall 2024 admissions cycle).

Acceptance rate

14%Fall 2024Skip to data table

The share of applicants offered a spot — lower means more selective; read it alongside the score ranges below.

Washington and Lee University's admission rate fell from 34.6% to 14%. The rate alone cannot explain the change. This describes Fall 2001 to Fall 2024.

Acceptance rate — data
Year	Acceptance rate
Fall 2001	34.6%
Fall 2002	31.1%
Fall 2003	31.2%
Fall 2004	29.5%
Fall 2005	28.9%
Fall 2006	27.5%
Fall 2007	27.4%
Fall 2008	16.8%
Fall 2009	19%
Fall 2010	19%
Fall 2011	18.2%
Fall 2012	19.5%
Fall 2013	18.4%
Fall 2014	19.5%
Fall 2015	23.9%
Fall 2016	23.6%
Fall 2017	22%
Fall 2018	21.2%
Fall 2019	18.6%
Fall 2020	24.5%
Fall 2021	18.9%
Fall 2022	17%
Fall 2023	17.4%
Fall 2024	14%

IPEDS Fall cycles 2001–2024

SAT range (section sums, 25th–75th)

1430–1540Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

Sums of the reading/writing and math percentiles among enrolled submitters — not percentiles of total SAT scores or admission cutoffs.

SAT range (section sums) — data
Year	25th	75th
Fall 2001	1260	1420
Fall 2002	1280	1440
Fall 2003	1300	1460
Fall 2004	1320	1450
Fall 2005	1320	1450
Fall 2006	1300	1470
Fall 2007	1310	1460
Fall 2008	1320	1480
Fall 2009	1320	1470
Fall 2010	1310	1460
Fall 2011	1310	1480
Fall 2012	1300	1480
Fall 2013	1310	1460
Fall 2014	1320	1460
Fall 2015	1310	1470
Fall 2016	1320	1460
Fall 2017	1350	1490
Fall 2018	1348	1490
Fall 2019	1360	1500
Fall 2020	1350	1500
Fall 2021	1410	1530
Fall 2022	1410	1533
Fall 2023	1410	1530
Fall 2024	1430	1540

IPEDS Fall 2001–2024, submitters only

ACT middle 50%

33–34Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

The middle half of enrolled ACT submitters, using published composite-score percentiles — not admission cutoffs.

ACT middle 50% — data
Year	25th	75th
Fall 2002	28	30
Fall 2003	28	31
Fall 2004	28	31
Fall 2005	28	31
Fall 2006	28	31
Fall 2007	28	31
Fall 2008	28	31
Fall 2009	29	32
Fall 2010	29	32
Fall 2011	29	32
Fall 2012	29	32
Fall 2013	30	33
Fall 2014	30	33
Fall 2015	30	33
Fall 2016	30	33
Fall 2017	31	33
Fall 2018	31	34
Fall 2019	32	34
Fall 2020	32	34
Fall 2021	32	35
Fall 2022	32	34
Fall 2023	32	35
Fall 2024	33	34

IPEDS Fall 2002–2024, submitters only

What is the campus like?

Enrollment counts a campus population; retention follows first-years returning. Their dates and populations are shown separately.

Undergraduate enrollment

1,881Fall 2024Skip to data table

Reported undergraduate enrollment. This count does not measure class size or teaching access.

Undergraduate enrollment at Washington and Lee University rose from 1,696 (Fall 2002) to 1,881 (Fall 2024).

Undergraduate enrollment — data
Year	Undergraduates
Fall 2002	1,696
Fall 2003	1,734
Fall 2004	1,754
Fall 2005	1,745
Fall 2006	1,747
Fall 2007	1,774
Fall 2008	1,749
Fall 2009	1,757
Fall 2010	1,757
Fall 2011	1,788
Fall 2012	1,837
Fall 2013	1,846
Fall 2014	1,880
Fall 2015	1,844
Fall 2016	1,820
Fall 2017	1,819
Fall 2018	1,822
Fall 2019	1,843
Fall 2020	1,820
Fall 2021	1,850
Fall 2022	1,861
Fall 2023	1,884
Fall 2024	1,881

IPEDS Fall headcounts 2002–2024

First-year retention (full-time)

97%Fall 2023 cohortSkip to data table

The share of the reported first-time student group who returned the following year. This rate does not explain why others left.

First-year retention at Washington and Lee University has held near 97% from Fall 2002 to Fall 2023.

First-year retention — data
Year	Retention
Fall 2002 cohort	95%
Fall 2003 cohort	94%
Fall 2004 cohort	95%
Fall 2005 cohort	94%
Fall 2006 cohort	95%
Fall 2007 cohort	94%
Fall 2008 cohort	94%
Fall 2009 cohort	94%
Fall 2010 cohort	93%
Fall 2011 cohort	95%
Fall 2012 cohort	97%
Fall 2013 cohort	97%
Fall 2014 cohort	96%
Fall 2015 cohort	95%
Fall 2016 cohort	97%
Fall 2017 cohort	96%
Fall 2018 cohort	98%
Fall 2019 cohort	97%
Fall 2020 cohort	96%
Fall 2021 cohort	98%
Fall 2022 cohort	95%
Fall 2023 cohort	97%

IPEDS Full-time cohorts 2002–2023

More about Washington and Lee University

11.3% of Washington and Lee University's undergraduates carry Pell grants — the standard federal marker of lower-income enrollment. Carnegie classes Washington and Lee University as a primarily residential campus of 1,881 undergraduates — and 96.6% of the reported first-time, full-time student group returned for a second year.

Washington and Lee University's SAT section-percentile sums are 1430–1540 — their midpoint is above the VA four-year benchmark. These are not total-score percentiles. Put your own practice estimate on Washington and Lee University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.

Why some charts are marked “key chart”

key chart

Start with three useful questions: what costs were reported for families in your income band, how many first-time full-time students finished, and what federal debt borrowers held when leaving.

How Washington and Lee University compares

State and national medians cover active bachelor-primary institutions, mixing public and private schools. Tuition uses in-state rates at public schools. These are broad reference points, not a ranking of similar schools or your likely bill.

Scorecard dates identify the release snapshot, not a shared measurement year. Earnings describe federally aided students who were working and not enrolled ten years after entry; cohorts and populations differ from the admissions and tuition figures.

Acceptance rate

Fall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS

Washington and Lee University14%

Virginia median79.8%

National median76.8%

Tuition

Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid

Washington and Lee University$68,045

Virginia median$21,650

National median$19,591

Median earnings (10 yr)

Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot

Washington and Lee University's snapshot: calendar years and dollar basis unverified.

Washington and Lee University$94,810

Virginia median$53,453

National median$53,781

View comparison data & dates

Washington and Lee University, Virginia and national reference values
Metric & basis	Washington and Lee University	Virginia median	National median
Acceptance rateFall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS	14%	79.8%	76.8%
TuitionScorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid	$68,045	$21,650	$19,591
Median earnings (10 yr)Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot	$94,810	$53,453	$53,781

Published earnings by bachelor's field of study

For Washington and Lee University, these are federal subject groups (CIP), not departments. Median is the middle annual income.

Washington and Lee University federal-aid recipients · graduated 2017–18 or 2018–19 · income measured 2022 or 2023 · inflation-adjusted to 2024 dollars. Definitions and limits.

View 5 fields & earnings

Bachelor's field of study (CIP category)	Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion
Business Administration, Management and Operations	$121,699
Accounting and Related Services	$118,946
Economics	$115,837
History	$100,087
Political Science and Government	$95,190

These 5 fields listed for Washington and Lee University measure earnings after completion. The $94,810 institution-level snapshot above measures earnings after entry; it is not the same cohort or a total for these fields. 29 additional Washington and Lee University fields have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.

Frequently asked questions

What test-score data does Washington and Lee University report?

Washington and Lee University's enrolled submitters had SAT section-percentile sums of 1430–1540 in Fall 2024. These are not total-score percentiles or a GPA requirement.

What is Washington and Lee University's acceptance rate?

14% in the Fall 2024 cycle — 1,147 admitted from 8,213 applicants.

How much does Washington and Lee University cost?

At Washington and Lee University, tuition is $68,045. Tuition is not the total cost of attendance; aid can reduce your bill.

What earnings data does Washington and Lee University report?

Median earnings ten years after entry: $94,810. Major figures measure four years after completion. Source and date limits.

Similar colleges in Virginia

Riverside College of Health Sciences — 12.9% admitted
Washington University of Science and Technology — 7.3% admitted
Virginia Wesleyan University — 72.9% admitted
Virginia Union University — 98% admitted

Run your own numbers

Data: IPEDS ADM2024 (Fall 2024 admissions, provisional) · IPEDS HD2024/IC2024 directory · College Scorecard 2026-06-10 release (institution and field-of-study files; earnings from Treasury records). Retrieved 2026-09-01. Chart dates follow this institution's available observations; the release date is not an academic year or an earnings year. Some records end earlier than others. Field-of-study cohort dates are shown with the table. Read the date and population definitions.