Washington and Lee University

Lexington, VA · Private nonprofit · offers Graduate degrees

Distant town

14%Acceptance rate
$23,781Average net price / year
94%Graduation rate
$94,810Median earnings 10 yrs after entry
$19,500Median debt at graduation
1,881Undergraduates

Cost

In-state tuition & fees
$68,045
Total cost of attendance
$87,000
Room & board
$18,685
Books & supplies
$2,370
Average net price
$23,781

Net price by family income

$0–30k
$-1,777
$30–48k
$75
$48–75k
$4,497
$75–110k
$8,162
$110k+
$40,646

Official net price calculator

Admissions

Acceptance rate
14.0%
Average SAT
1498
SAT reading (25–75%)
710–760
SAT math (25–75%)
720–780
ACT composite (25–75%)
33–34

Outcomes

Graduation rate
94%
First-year retention
97%
Median earnings (6 yrs)
$76,516
Median earnings (10 yrs)
$94,810
Median debt (graduates)
$19,500
3-year loan default rate
0.0%
Students with Pell grants
11%
Students with federal loans
14%

Programs: what graduates earn

8 of 35 programs have published earnings or debt data. Earnings are median salaries of graduates one year after completing the program (or the latest available year).

Bachelor's degree

ProgramGraduatesEarningsMedian debt
Accounting and Related Services40$81,625$16,750
Business Administration, Management and Operations96$76,627—
Economics67$71,737$23,399
Journalism6$54,059—
Mathematics15$69,951—
Political Science and Government70$45,285—
History17$100,087—

First professional degree

ProgramGraduatesEarningsMedian debt
Law107$77,253$97,335

Students

Undergraduates
1,881
Graduate students
355
Part-time
0%
Women / men
51% / 49%
White
68%
Hispanic
9%
Black
5%
Asian
5%
International
8%

Faculty & school

Student–faculty ratio
7:1
Avg faculty salary
$127,395 / year
Full-time faculty
88%
Accreditor
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Website
www.wlu.edu
Also known as
Washington and Lee, W&L, WLU

Most popular fields

  • Communication & Journalism – 3% of degrees
  • Computer & Information Sciences – 5% of degrees
  • Engineering – 6% of degrees
  • English – 3% of degrees
  • Biological Sciences – 12% of degrees
  • Mathematics & Statistics – 2% of degrees

Frequently asked questions

What is the acceptance rate at Washington and Lee University?

14.0% of applicants were admitted, and admitted students averaged 1498 on the SAT.

How much does Washington and Lee University cost?

The average net price after grants is $23,781 per year; in-state tuition and fees are $68,045 and the full cost of attendance is $87,000.

How much do Washington and Lee University graduates earn?

Students who enrolled earn a median of $94,810 ten years later. See the program table above for salaries by major.

What is the graduation rate?

94% of first-time, full-time students graduate within 150% of normal time.

Other colleges in Lexington

CollegeNet priceAcceptanceGraduationEarnings
Virginia Military Institute
Lexington, VA · Public · 1,527 students
$17,11371%76%$77,369

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, June 2026 release.