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Washington College

Chestertown, Maryland 21620-1438

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Sciences-focusedTight-knitCollege townGreek life

Strong graduate outcomes — known for biology

Washington College is a private institution in Chestertown with particular strength in biology and business. With an average SAT of 1274, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A small campus of 890 undergraduates with a 9:1 student-faculty ratio. The town location creates a classic college-town feel.

74% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $65,518 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $29,095.

Established
1723
Mascot
Gus the Goose
Type
Private liberal arts college
Conference
Centennial Conference
Division
Division III

Campus Visits

46 upcoming visits · Next: Fri, May 29 · Campus Tour

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66%Acceptance
1274SAT Avg
890Students
9:1Student:Faculty
74%Grad Rate
$65,518Earnings 10yr
$29,095Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate65.5%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1274

Reading & Writing
605690
Math
580655

ACT Score Range

Composite
2530

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

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$54,356
Room & Board$15,814
Books & Supplies$900
Total Cost of Attendance$70,191
Average Net Price$29,095
Median Debt at Graduation$26,956
Monthly Payment (10yr)$286

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$13,498
$30–48K$18,675
$48–75K$25,670
$75–110K$31,138
$110K+$35,886

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

50.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

3.6%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$21,000

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

5

Peer Average

3

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

1

Burglary

0

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

0

Motor Vehicle Theft

1

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

2

Drug Arrests

1

Liquor Arrests

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

Programs (31)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

87%

Positive

Student Body

Undergrads
890
Gender Split
57% / 43%
Women / Men
First Generation
16%
Pell Grant Recipients
21%

Race & Ethnicity

White 67%
Black 9%
Hispanic 9%
Asian 3%
Int'l 2%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate74.1%
Freshman Retention86.6%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$48,763
10 Years$65,518

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

Rankings

U.S. News
#19
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Shoremen

BasketballBasketball beganSoccerTrackCross countryGolfRowingLacrosseLacrosse players

History & Fun Facts

  • The Maryland legislature granted its first college charter to Washington College in May 1782.
  • With his election as the first President of the United States, General Washington retired from the Board of Visitors and Governors.
  • He accepted the honorary degree of doctor of laws, which a delegation from Chestertown presented to him on June 24, 1789, in New York, then the seat of Congress.
  • The original college building cornerstone was laid in May 1783; it opened in 1788 after selling off acreage and starting a lottery to fund the project.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

113High

Estimated from MD state average

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 30"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Baltimorepop. 570K
30 mi(52 min)
Washingtonpop. 690K
56 mi(97 min)
Philadelphiapop. 1.6M
70 mi(121 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

BWI Baltimore-Washington32 mi
PHL Philadelphia63 mi
MDT Harrisburg77 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA340 mi · ~9h 49m drive
New York, NY150 mi · ~4h 20m drive
Hartford, CT251 mi · ~7h 15m drive
Providence, RI304 mi · ~8h 47m drive
Albany, NY266 mi · ~7h 41m drive
Syracuse, NY265 mi · ~7h 39m drive
Rochester, NY284 mi · ~8h 12m drive
Buffalo, NY293 mi · ~8h 28m drive
Philadelphia, PA70 mi · ~2h 1m drive
Pittsburgh, PA225 mi · ~6h 30m drive
Harrisburg, PA85 mi · ~2h 27m drive
Newark, NJ145 mi · ~4h 11m drive
Washington, DC56 mi · ~1h 37m drive
Baltimore, MD30 mi · ~52 min drive
Atlanta, GA596 mi · ~17h 13m drive
Charlotte, NC381 mi · ~11h drive
Raleigh, NC276 mi · ~7h 58m drive
Miami, FL960 mi · ~27h 44m drive
Orlando, FL798 mi · ~23h 3m drive
Tampa, FL860 mi · ~24h 51m drive
Nashville, TN622 mi · ~17h 58m drive
New Orleans, LA1020 mi · ~29h 28m drive
Richmond, VA137 mi · ~3h 57m drive
Chicago, IL634 mi · ~18h 19m drive
Detroit, MI424 mi · ~12h 15m drive
Minneapolis, MN965 mi · ~27h 53m drive
St. Louis, MO760 mi · ~21h 57m drive
Kansas City, MO990 mi · ~28h 36m drive
Indianapolis, IN539 mi · ~15h 34m drive
Columbus, OH372 mi · ~10h 45m drive
Cleveland, OH335 mi · ~9h 41m drive
Milwaukee, WI670 mi · ~19h 21m drive
Dallas, TX1238 mi · ~35h 46m drive
Houston, TX1275 mi · ~36h 50m drive
Austin, TX1372 mi · ~39h 38m drive
San Antonio, TX1442 mi · ~41h 39m drive
Los Angeles, CA2344 mi · ~67h 43m drive
San Francisco, CA2481 mi · ~71h 40m drive
San Diego, CA2321 mi · ~67h 3m drive
Seattle, WA2356 mi · ~68h 4m drive
Portland, OR2384 mi · ~68h 52m drive
Denver, CO1536 mi · ~44h 22m drive
Phoenix, AZ2030 mi · ~58h 39m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1886 mi · ~54h 29m drive
Honolulu, HI4875 mi · ~140h 50m drive
Mid-Atlantic / Central (moderate winters, warm summers)

Visit Planning

Deadline Calendar

Washington College Application Checklist

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