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Washington and Lee University

Washington and Lee

Lexington, Virginia 24450-2116

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Business-focusedTight-knitCollege townGreek life

Highly selective — top graduate earnings

Washington and Lee University is a private institution in Lexington with particular strength in business and biology. With an average SAT of 1504, the school attracts a competitive applicant pool.

A small campus of 1.9K undergraduates with a 8:1 student-faculty ratio. The town location creates a classic college-town feel.

95% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $94,810 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $23,911.

Established
1749
Motto
Latin: Non Incautus Futuri
Mascot
Trident (no mascot - athletics symbol)
Type
Private liberal arts college
Conference
NCAA Division III
Division
Division III

Plan Your Visit

17%Acceptance
1504SAT Avg
1,884Students
8:1Student:Faculty
95%Grad Rate
$94,810Earnings 10yr
$23,911Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate17.4%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1504

Reading & WritingMid: 725
710750
MathMid: 745
700780

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 34
3235

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$64,525
Room & Board$17,685
Books & Supplies$2,290
Total Cost of Attendance$82,990
Average Net Price$23,911
Median Debt at Graduation$19,500
Monthly Payment (10yr)$207

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$76
$30–48K$887
$48–75K$6,983
$75–110K$9,222
$110K+$42,745

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

85.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

5.2%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$16,617

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

14

Peer Average

13

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

3

Burglary

1

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

1

Motor Vehicle Theft

2

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

4

Drug Arrests

3

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (37)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

95%

Very Positive

Student Body

Undergrads
1,884
Gender Split
51% / 49%
Women / Men
Pell Grant Recipients
11%

Race & Ethnicity

White 70%
Black 4%
Hispanic 8%
Asian 4%
Two+ 5%
Int'l 7%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate94.9%
Freshman Retention95.4%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$76,516
10 Years$94,810

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#21
vs 2024
Forbes
#47
vs 2024
Wall Street Journal
#29
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#7
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports

TennisGolf

History & Fun Facts

  • In 1776, it was renamed Liberty Hall in a burst of revolutionary fervor.
  • The academy moved to Lexington in 1780, when it was chartered as Liberty Hall Academy, and built its first facility near town in 1782.
  • The academy granted its first bachelor's degree in 1785.
  • Liberty Hall is said to have admitted its first African American student when John Chavis, a free Black man, enrolled in 1795.
  • He is believed to be the first black student to enroll in higher education in the United States, although he did not receive a degree.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

103Above Average

Estimated from VA state average

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 5"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Raleighpop. 470K
146 mi(253 min)
Washingtonpop. 690K
152 mi(263 min)
Baltimorepop. 570K
185 mi(321 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

RIC Richmond118 mi
IAD Washington Dulles134 mi
RDU Raleigh-Durham137 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA544 mi · ~15h 43m drive
New York, NY354 mi · ~10h 14m drive
Hartford, CT452 mi · ~13h 3m drive
Providence, RI509 mi · ~14h 42m drive
Albany, NY450 mi · ~13h drive
Syracuse, NY403 mi · ~11h 39m drive
Rochester, NY383 mi · ~11h 4m drive
Buffalo, NY353 mi · ~10h 12m drive
Philadelphia, PA274 mi · ~7h 55m drive
Pittsburgh, PA186 mi · ~5h 22m drive
Harrisburg, PA220 mi · ~6h 21m drive
Newark, NJ348 mi · ~10h 3m drive
Washington, DC152 mi · ~4h 23m drive
Baltimore, MD185 mi · ~5h 21m drive
Atlanta, GA393 mi · ~11h 21m drive
Charlotte, NC193 mi · ~5h 35m drive
Raleigh, NC146 mi · ~4h 13m drive
Miami, FL832 mi · ~24h 2m drive
Orlando, FL649 mi · ~18h 45m drive
Tampa, FL702 mi · ~20h 17m drive
Nashville, TN420 mi · ~12h 8m drive
New Orleans, LA814 mi · ~23h 31m drive
Richmond, VA111 mi · ~3h 12m drive
Chicago, IL518 mi · ~14h 58m drive
Detroit, MI367 mi · ~10h 36m drive
Minneapolis, MN870 mi · ~25h 8m drive
St. Louis, MO587 mi · ~16h 57m drive
Kansas City, MO823 mi · ~23h 47m drive
Indianapolis, IN387 mi · ~11h 11m drive
Columbus, OH243 mi · ~7h 1m drive
Cleveland, OH283 mi · ~8h 11m drive
Milwaukee, WI574 mi · ~16h 35m drive
Dallas, TX1036 mi · ~29h 56m drive
Houston, TX1067 mi · ~30h 49m drive
Austin, TX1167 mi · ~33h 43m drive
San Antonio, TX1236 mi · ~35h 42m drive
Los Angeles, CA2171 mi · ~62h 43m drive
San Francisco, CA2326 mi · ~67h 12m drive
San Diego, CA2142 mi · ~61h 53m drive
Seattle, WA2249 mi · ~64h 58m drive
Portland, OR2266 mi · ~65h 28m drive
Denver, CO1378 mi · ~39h 49m drive
Phoenix, AZ1848 mi · ~53h 23m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1738 mi · ~50h 13m drive
Honolulu, HI4716 mi · ~136h 14m drive
Mid-Atlantic / Central (moderate winters, warm summers)

Visit Planning

Deadline Calendar

Washington and Lee University Application Checklist

Decision Notifications