Washington And Lee University

Washington and Lee University admits approximately 17.4% of applicants, meaning roughly 1 in 6 applicants receives an offer of admission. This places Washington and Lee among highly selective institutions nationally, with admission rates typical of elite private liberal arts colleges and universities.

The peer median admission rate of 75.6% highlights the substantial difference between Washington and Lee's selectivity and typical four-year institutions—the university admits students at a rate 58.2 percentage points lower than its peer group. This level of selectivity means that even academically exceptional students face meaningful uncertainty in the admission process.

Students with outstanding credentials who would thrive at Washington and Lee may not receive admission due to the limited number of available spots relative to applicant volume. For this reason, students considering Washington and Lee should treat it as a reach school regardless of their academic qualifications and build comprehensive college lists that include institutions with higher acceptance rates but comparable academic quality and career outcomes.

The institution's 95.4% retention rate and 94.9% six-year graduation rate indicate that students who gain admission typically find strong institutional fit and support for degree completion.

Washington and Lee University offers seven bachelor's degree programs with sufficient federal earnings data for national ranking analysis. Applied Economics stands out as the flagship program, ranking #11 nationally and #1 in Virginia, producing 56 graduates with median earnings of $110,050 and a value score of 95.0.

Accounting Technology ranks #2 nationally and #1 in Virginia, graduating 61 students with median earnings of $101,332 and an exceptional value score of 99.6. Business Administration ranks #4 nationally and #1 in Virginia, representing the institution's largest program with 95 graduates earning $98,403 annually.

Liberal arts programs also achieve top-tier national recognition, with American History ranking #7 nationally and #1 in Virginia, graduating 28 students with median earnings of $67,315 and a value score of 97.7. English Language and Literature ranks #15 nationally and #2 in Virginia, with 22 graduates earning $57,710.

Every measured program achieves top-in-state ranking, reflecting Washington and Lee's consistent excellence across its concentrated academic portfolio.

Washington and Lee University's published cost of attendance reaches $82,990 annually, including $64,525 in tuition, $17,685 for room and board, and $2,290 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays $23,911 after financial aid, representing savings of $59,079 from the sticker price through institutional grant assistance.

This average net price is $2,099 above the peer median of $21,812, reflecting Washington and Lee's premium positioning among private nonprofit institutions. The institution demonstrates significant commitment to need-based financial aid, with net costs varying dramatically by family income level.

Net prices range from just $76 for families earning under $30,000 annually to $42,745 for families earning over $110,000, creating a progressive pricing structure that concentrates financial assistance toward lower-income families. This $42,669 gap between lowest and highest income tiers indicates that Washington and Lee uses substantial institutional resources to make attendance feasible for admitted students from diverse economic backgrounds.

Despite the high sticker price, the institution's generous financial aid policies mean that actual costs vary significantly based on family financial circumstances, with middle-income families typically paying the average net price of approximately $24,000 annually.

Washington and Lee University graduates demonstrate remarkable earnings growth trajectory and consistently strong economic outcomes across career stages. Median earnings progress from $76,516 six years after enrollment to $89,772 at eight years and $94,810 at ten years, representing 23.9% growth from the six-year mark.

These outcomes are based on a ten-year cohort of 228 graduates, providing solid confidence in the reported figures despite the institution's small size. Graduates earn $28,615 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing Washington and Lee at the 97.1st percentile for earnings uplift—a measure of the institution's ability to enhance career outcomes beyond predicted levels.

Earnings distribution shows meaningful variation, with outcomes ranging from $64,147 at the 25th percentile to $141,033 at the 75th percentile. Approximately 22.7% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, though this estimate has low confidence due to the institution's specialized program mix.

The combination of strong absolute earnings, exceptional value creation, and steady career progression positions Washington and Lee graduates favorably in the job market across multiple industries and career paths.