B+
Very Good
Score: 76/100
Overall (traditional)
A+
Outcome Rating
95/100 · earnings-weighted

Washington and Lee University

4-Year Private Non-Profit
📍 Lexington, Virginia 24450
Washington and Lee University campus, Lexington, VA
Washington and Lee University campus, Lexington, VA. Photo: Bobak Ha'Eri, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
Outcomes
A+
96/100
Affordability
F
24/100
Resources
A
85/100
Experience
A+
94/100
Prestige
A
80/100

Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology

Quick Stats

2,277
Total Enrollment
95%
Graduation Rate
95%
Retention Rate
8.0:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
17%
Acceptance Rate
N/A
Avg Net Price

Earnings, Debt & Completion

What happens to students who enroll at Washington and Lee University, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.

$94,810
Median earnings 10 yrs after entry
$76,516
Median earnings 6 yrs after entry
$19,500
Median debt at graduation
93.9%
Completion rate (within 150% of normal time)
1,498
Average SAT
34
Median ACT
11.3%
Students receiving Pell grants

Typical debt at graduation equals about 21% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.

Earnings rank: 96th percentile among bachelor’s-degree-focused colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (VA wage index 1.21). This drives the Outcome Rating.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.

Earnings by Major at Washington and Lee University

Median pay of bachelor's degree graduates by field of study, and how each program ranks against every college reporting that major — by raw pay and adjusted for state wage levels. Same school, very different paychecks.

Major1 yr after4 yrs aftervs. nationalRank (pay)Rank (wage-adj.)Median debt
Business Administration, Management and Operations$76,627$121,699+78%#11 of 1176#12—
Accounting and Related Services$81,625$118,946+56%#9 of 796#13$16,750
Economics$71,737$115,837+40%#37 of 368#51$23,399
History—$100,087+97%#5 of 459#6—
Political Science and Government—$95,190+50%#8 of 565#20—

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working; small programs are not reported.

For parents & investors

The Washington and Lee University Town Property Report

  • Avg home value near campus: $373,683
  • Avg rent near campus: $1,651/mo — vs ~$1,026/mo campus room rate
  • Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 24448 (7.6% cap, Iron Gate)

Get the free 1-page report: rent-vs-dorm math, the 3 best nearby ZIPs by yield, and the “kiddie condo” strategy parents use.

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🏆 Where Washington and Lee University Ranks

Rankings based on Repit College Grade among schools offering each program.

🥇
Accounting and Business/Management
of 10 schools
#30
Research and Experimental Psychology, Other
of 88 schools

Costs & Financial Aid

Tuition & Fees

Category In-State Out-of-State
Tuition $63,315 $63,315
Room $9,230
Board $8,455
Total Cost (On-Campus) $87,000 $87,000

Financial Aid

69%
Receive Any Aid
13%
Receive Pell Grants
18%
Take Out Loans
N/A
Avg Net Price

Student Demographics

2,277
Total Students
51%
Women
99%
Traditional Age (18-24)

👥 Race & Ethnicity

White 68%
Hispanic 8%
Black 5%
Asian 5%
Two or More 4%
Non-Resident 6%

🏠 Living Arrangements

💻 Learning Mode

In-Person 100%

📊 Age Distribution

18-24 (Traditional) 99%
25-64 (Adult) 1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Washington and Lee University?
Washington and Lee University has an acceptance rate of 17%. This makes it a highly selective institution where admission is very competitive.
How much does it cost to attend Washington and Lee University?
Tuition at Washington and Lee University is $63,315 for in-state students and $63,315 for out-of-state students .
What is the graduation rate at Washington and Lee University?
The graduation rate at Washington and Lee University is 95%. This is considered an excellent graduation rate, indicating strong student success and support systems.
Is Washington and Lee University a good school?
Washington and Lee University has a Repit College Score of 76/100 (Grade: B+). Our rating evaluates five key factors:
  • Outcomes (A+): Graduation and retention rates
  • Affordability (F): Net cost and financial aid access
  • Resources (A): Class sizes and selectivity
  • Experience (A+): Campus life and learning format
  • Prestige (A): Reputation and recognition
How many students attend Washington and Lee University?
Washington and Lee University has a total enrollment of 2,277 students. Most students (99%) are traditional college-age (18-24).

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🎓 Similar Colleges to Washington and Lee University

Compare with other 4-Year private non-profit institutions of similar size.

B+
University of Richmond
University of Richmond, VA · 3,776 students
C+
Hampton University
Hampton, VA · 3,649 students
C+
Hampden-Sydney College
Hampden-Sydney, VA · 876 students
C+
Randolph-Macon College
Ashland, VA · 1,523 students
C+
Hollins University
Roanoke, VA · 782 students
C+
Shenandoah University
Winchester, VA · 4,343 students

Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology