Washington and Lee University Acceptance Rate, Admissions & Graduation

I am going to walk you through what official United States government data say about this university: what kind of school it is, whom it admits, how much it costs, who receives aid, what life is like for a student there, and how likely a student is to leave with a degree. I am not going to tell you whether it is the right school for your child. No report can tell you that. But if you finish this article with a clear understanding of this piece of the puzzle, you will be able to put it together with what your child wants to study and what your family can afford. A plan comes from that combination, not from a single number.

What kind of school it is

Washington and Lee is in Lexington, Virginia, in a town setting, far from major urban areas. That is not a decorative detail: if your family does not live nearby, you have to think separately about where your child would live, how your child would get to campus, and how often your child could return home. The official data only locate the school's address; they do not calculate your trip or your budget for flights or gas. You have to figure that out.

It is a private, nonprofit, four-year institution, and the federal system records a doctorate as the highest degree level it reports offering, although the school's real emphasis is on bachelor's degrees. The Carnegie Classification—the system that organizes United States colleges and universities according to what they do—describes it as a small, highly residential, arts-and-sciences-focused bachelor's college within the country's most selective admissions group. "Highly residential" means that, when this classification was made, at least half of undergraduate students lived in institution-owned or institution-affiliated housing, and at least 80 out of every 100 studied full time. Living on campus is not free: room and board are charged separately, and that expense is included in the full cost discussed later.

Washington and Lee is not recorded as a historically Black college or university, a tribal college or university, or a land-grant institution. These are three separate designations with distinct histories; of the 3,012 universities in this federal census, 138 have at least one of the three. The fact that this university has none of them says nothing about which students it serves today, how many Latino students are on campus, or how your child would feel there. Ask directly: what cultural centers exist, what student organizations are active today, and, better yet, speak with someone who already studies there.

A small community, with few Latino students within it

In the fall of 2023, Washington and Lee had 2,277 students enrolled in total: 1,898 undergraduates and 379 graduate students. It is primarily a bachelor's-degree institution. Compared with the 941 selective private schools in this census, its size falls right in the middle of the group: neither among the large schools nor among the small ones. Almost all of its students attend full time.

Within that community, 8 out of every 100 undergraduate students are Hispanic or Latino. It is a small minority, and compared with those same 941 schools, it falls below the group's midpoint. That does not make the school bad, nor would a larger number make it good: it only describes who is enrolled today. If your child will be one of the few Latino students on that campus, it is worth asking during the visit what student groups exist, whether anyone in the office speaks Spanish, and speaking with a Latino student who is already there before deciding. The number you see here is for the entire school; your child's specific major may feel different.

The campus is almost evenly divided between men and women: 51 out of every 100 are women. There are almost no adult students: only 1 out of every 100 is between 25 and 64 years old. And something that often surprises families: fewer than 25 out of every 100 first-time students reported living in Virginia before entering—they were 17 out of every 100. The rest come from other states or other countries, or their residency was not reported precisely. Put simply: it is a school where most of your roommates come from far away.

How the academic year works

Washington and Lee operates on a 4-1-4 calendar: four courses over four months, followed by one month with a single course, and then another four courses over the next four months. The school reported that it accepts credit for AP exams, but it did not indicate that it accepts credit for life experience. It does not admit high school students to college courses for credit.

Accepting AP does not mean the school awards credit for every exam at every score. The report does not say what scores are required or how many credits are awarded, much less whether those credits count toward your child's specific major. Before calculating any savings, request the course-equivalency evaluation in writing.

In a recent year, the university awarded 453 bachelor's degrees across 17 fields of study. The largest was business and management, with 29 out of every 100 degrees—no other field exceeded it, but it did not account for the majority either. This counts degrees awarded in one year, not people or the current catalog of majors. Before deciding, ask specifically about the major that interests your child: how many students graduate in it, how long they take, and what the curriculum is like.

One figure worth examining closely is the student-to-instructional-staff ratio of 8 to 1. Compared with the 941 similar schools in this census, it is in the lowest quarter—that is, among the tightest ratios. But a low aggregate ratio is not the same as small classes, and it does not guarantee individual attention. It is a school-wide average. Ask directly how many students are in first-year classes for the major that interests your child.

The institution also reports structured academic pathways: study abroad and teacher-certification preparation pathways, both within the institution and through an agreement with another institution. These are reported opportunities, not guarantees of access or available space. Ask about them directly if they interest your child.

Getting in: what they require and what actually happens

This is where it helps to sit down and take your time, because there are two different questions that people often mix together: what does the university require to review an application, and how many applicants does it accept?

Washington and Lee does not have open admissions. Of the nine application components this report examines—not counting standardized tests or legacy status—it marked three as required: the high school record, completion of the college-preparatory program the university requires, and letters of recommendation. Other components are not required but are considered if you submit them: the high school GPA, class rank, personal essay, a formal demonstration of work or competencies, work experience, an English-proficiency exam when applicable, and whether a family member attended the university. The undergraduate application fee is $60.

On legacy status: if no one in your family attended Washington and Lee, do not spend energy worrying about it. It is something your child cannot change. Invest that energy instead in what is within your child's control: the academic record, the essay, and the letters.

Now for the second question, the one that truly matters in planning: in the 2023 cycle, Washington and Lee received 6,820 first-time applications and offered admission to 1,184. That is 17 out of every 100. Compared with the 942 selective private schools in this census, it is among those that accept the fewest applicants: nine out of ten schools in that group, or more, accepted a higher percentage of applicants. On the other side of that calculation are 5,636 applicants who did not receive an offer. This number does not distinguish among those who were rejected, those who were waitlisted, and those who withdrew their applications.

A low admission rate does not make a school better, and a high one does not make it worse. It only measures how many spots were offered compared with how many people requested them. It says nothing about your child's worth. What I will tell you, with a hand on your shoulder, is this: make sure your child's college list includes schools with different levels of selectivity, not only those that accept few applicants.

Of those who did receive an offer of admission in 2023, 42 out of every 100 decided to enroll at Washington and Lee; the other 58 chose something else. Compared with similar schools, this "yes, I will attend" proportion is on the high side. But this number does not measure quality or satisfaction: it only counts how many admitted students enrolled that fall. When your child's admission letters arrive, this figure is not what will make the decision for you. Put the letters side by side and compare net price, major, and distance before the deposit deadline.

On testing: the SAT and ACT are not required at Washington and Lee. If your child submits them, they are considered; if not, the application proceeds just the same. Among students who did enroll, 27 out of every 100 submitted an SAT score, and among them, the middle half scored between 710 and 750 in reading and writing and between 700 and 780 in mathematics. That range describes students who were already enrolled and chose to submit their scores—it is not a minimum for admission or a guarantee if your child reaches it.

And on transfers: in the fall of 2023, 4 students arrived by transferring from another institution. It is a low number compared with similar schools, but remember that it is a count of people, not a proportion, and it goes hand in hand with the school's small size. The transfer-out rate—how many entering students leave for another university—is not reported in this file. That does not mean no one transfers; it means that this specific figure is not available here.

The sticker price: $87,000 per year

Here is the big number, the one that makes many families close the tab before continuing to read. For the 2023–24 year, Washington and Lee reported a total cost of attendance of $87,000 for a first-time, full-time student living on campus. That budget is the same for Virginia residents and students from outside the state—there is no in-state discount here.

Broken down:

Compared with 888 similar schools in this census, this cost of attendance is among the highest in the group.

But this number, by definition, is the sticker price. It is not a bill. It is what the school uses as a starting point before calculating aid. Before ruling out or choosing the school based on this number, complete the FAFSA and request the financial-aid letter in writing. Until you have it in hand, you do not know how much this school would cost your family.

The actual price, according to how much your family earns

At Washington and Lee University, among 12 first-time, full-time, credential-seeking students who received federal Title IV aid and whose EFC records showed family income below $30,000, the average net price was $76. Among 23 students in the same population with EFC family income from $48,001 to $75,000, it was $6,983; among 66 students with EFC family income above $110,000, it was $42,745. For dependent students, the band combines their parents' income with their own.

There is a difference of $42,669 between the average for the lowest-income band (12 students) and the average for the highest-income band (66 students). These are group averages, not a prediction of your family's price. Among first-year students who received any grant or scholarship, the average was $24,667.

Among the 937 schools of the same type and control included in this census that reported this figure with the same period coverage, this school falls within the least expensive quarter for lower-income families after grants and scholarships are subtracted. That does not mean it will be inexpensive for your family. It is a meaningful figure when you build the list of schools to which your child will apply.

Because the price changes so much from one income band to another, correctly identifying yours is the first step. The income bands in this profile describe first-time, full-time, credential-seeking students who received federal Title IV aid; at public institutions, they use the in-state or in-district rate. The overall average with grants and scholarships, when shown, describes first-time, full-time, credential-seeking students who received federal, state, local, or institutional grants or scholarships. The financial-aid letter sent to you is what ultimately governs.

The aid they receive, and something almost no one expects: few loans

At Washington and Lee, 64 out of every 100 degree-seeking students received aid that does not have to be repaid—grants and scholarships, not loans. That is more than half, although not everyone. Compared with similar schools, this proportion falls within the quarter where grants and scholarships reach fewer students; among those who did receive them, the annual average was $52,625.

The Pell Grant—federal aid for students with demonstrated financial need—reached only 11 out of every 100 students. That means at least 53 out of every 100 received aid that was not Pell but came from another source: probably the university's own institutional grants and scholarships.

An average grant or scholarship of $52,625 is real money, but it is not a price: what matters is the amount left afterward, and you have to request that school by school.

Now for the figure that gives this section its name. In the 2022–23 school year, only 15 out of every 100 Washington and Lee undergraduate students received a federal student loan. The vast majority were not awarded one that year. Compared with 942 selective private schools in this census, federal loans are used less here than at almost all of them: nine out of ten schools in that group, or more, had a higher proportion of students with loans.

Among those who did borrow, each received an average of $5,986 that year. Do not confuse the two figures: the 15 out of every 100 refers to the entire undergraduate population; the $5,986 applies only to those who received a loan.

The fact that most students did not use federal loans does not explain how the others covered the rest of the bill. They may have used grants and scholarships, work, family savings, or another kind of debt that this report does not record. And that average does not include Parent PLUS loans that parents sometimes sign for, bank debt, or credit-card debt. Nor is it the total debt with which a student leaves upon graduating: that would require adding together every year, and that number is not in this report.

The university also reports a tuition payment plan, as a mechanism for managing the expense over the course of the year.

Living on campus, sports, and what exists beyond the classroom

If your child enters Washington and Lee as a full-time first-year student, living on campus is not optional: the school requires it. Meal plans are available, although the number of meals per week varies by the plan you choose. The maximum capacity of institution-controlled housing is 1,478 students. When comparing this school's price with others, include room and board from the beginning: this expense cannot be cut here.

ROTC opportunities are available in two branches: Army and Air Force. The branch not marked is Navy. The fact that a program is reported does not mean it is necessarily taught on this campus or that space is guaranteed: ask directly by name before building a plan around it.

The university competes in intercollegiate athletics and is affiliated with the NCAA. The report confirms membership for football, basketball, baseball, and cross-country or track and field, but it does not specify the division, available roster spots, or whether each sport provides athletic scholarships. If sports are part of the plan, write directly to the coach and request the answer in writing.

There is no distance education: not a single course, at either the undergraduate or graduate level. If your child needs scheduling flexibility because of work or caring for someone at home, everything here is in person.

The library operates with employed staff, and its annual expenditure exceeds the threshold the government uses to classify it as "staffed." It has physical and digital collections and participates in interlibrary lending. The institution also reports academic and career counseling services, employment services for current students and graduates, participation in the Yellow Ribbon program for veterans, a student veterans' organization, and a published web address for disability services. The fact that these services are reported confirms that they exist on paper; it does not measure their quality or how many people use them. Ask about them directly during the visit.

Those who stay, and those who finish

Here we reach the figures many families look for first, although I prefer that you read them at the end, with everything else already in mind.

Of the cohort that entered in the fall of 2022—476 first-time, full-time, bachelor's-degree-seeking students—454 met the official retention criterion: they were still enrolled there or had already graduated. That is 95 out of every 100. Compared with 930 similar schools, Washington and Lee is among those that retain the largest share of their cohort. This figure combines two different groups—those still enrolled and those who have already graduated—without saying how many are in each, and it does not reveal what happened to the remaining 22.

On graduation: among those who entered a bachelor's-degree program in 2017 as full-time students without having previously studied at another college or university, 95 out of every 100—447 out of 471—graduated within six years. At four years, the figure was already 92 out of every 100, just three points lower. Compared with 920 similar schools, it is among those that graduate the largest shares of students: nine out of ten schools in that group, or more, reported an equal or lower proportion.

And at eight years, looking at a different cohort that entered between July 2015 and June 2016—including full-time and part-time students, first-time students, and those with prior college experience—94 out of every 100 had earned a degree or certificate from this school by the August 2023 reporting date. Compared with similar schools, it is also among those that graduate the largest shares of students within this period.

All of these figures are high, and they are real. But a high percentage for the cohort of 2017 or 2015-16 is not a promise for your child. It is what happened to those young people, at that school, at that time. What is within your control, and your child's, is making sure your child begins the first semester with credits in order, knows who the academic adviser is, and learns early when registration opens for the courses required for the major.

What this article cannot tell you

There are no data here about what a Washington and Lee graduate earns, employment after graduation, or how much total debt someone carries upon leaving with a degree. That belongs to another conversation, with other sources, and is not authorized in this report.

Putting the pieces together

You now know in detail one of the three pieces you need to decide: what Washington and Lee is, what it requires, how much it costs on paper, how much it has cost in practice according to family income, and how likely its students have been to stay and graduate.

You are still missing what only your child knows: what your child wants to study, how far from home your child is willing to live, and what kind of community your child seeks. And you are missing what only your family knows: how much you can and are willing to pay, and how comfortable you are with the idea of your child living in a town far from the city.

If you are just beginning to build the college list: use the net price by income band as your real starting point, not the sticker price of $87,000. If you already have an admission letter in hand: compare the amount your family would have to pay out of pocket, not the size of the grant or scholarship offered. If the major that interests your child is highly specific: ask about it directly, because almost all the figures in this article describe the entire school, not a particular program.

None of the figures you have read here makes the decision for you. But now, when you sit down to discuss it as a family, you will do so with solid ground beneath your feet.

Source note: the information in this article comes from official IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) reports from the United States Department of Education, corresponding primarily to the 2023 cycle and to the periods specified for each individual figure. Best College Aid does not represent Washington and Lee University or any government agency; this article organizes and explains public data to help families understand them.