Washington and Lee University
A good fit for high-achieving applicants seeking a top-tier program and students who want small classes and close faculty access. no major red flags in the data. graduates earn a median of $93,300 within 10 years; exceptional 94% graduation rate.
About This School
Washington and Lee University is a private nonprofit institution located in Lexington, Virginia with approximately 1,881 undergraduate students enrolled. Admissions are highly selective, with an acceptance rate of 14%. The average net price after financial aid is $23,781 per year. The graduation rate is 94%, and the typical graduate earns $93,300 within 10 years of enrollment.
Washington and Lee University is a private liberal arts college in Lexington, Virginia, United States. Established in 1749 as Augusta Academy, it is among the oldest institutions of higher learning in the US.
This is a strong option for students who thrive in tight-knit academic communities — a 95% graduation rate and median earnings of $93,300 a decade out suggest the experience genuinely pays off, and median debt of just $16,617 keeps the financial risk low. The 17% acceptance rate makes it a reach for most applicants, but the average net price of roughly $24K/year means it can be surprisingly affordable compared to peer schools. If you want a serious liberal arts education with a small student body (under 1,900 undergrads) and strong post-grad outcomes, W&L deserves a close look.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 20% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (1,881 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Address
Washington and Lee University
204 West Washington Street
Lexington, VA 24450-2116
Official Links
Other Schools in Virginia
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA · Private nonprofit
Northern Virginia Community College
Annandale, VA · Public
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, VA · Public
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA · Public
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA · Public
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA · Public
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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