Washington and Lee University
Lexington, VA · Town (distant)
Admissions
- Acceptance rate (most recent year)
- 14.0%
- Applicants (fall 2023)
- 6,820
- Admitted (fall 2023)
- 1,184
- Enrolled freshmen (fall 2023)
- 502
- Yield (admitted who enroll)
- 42%
- Acceptance rate – women (fall 2023)
- 19%
- Acceptance rate – men (fall 2023)
- 16%
- SAT reading, middle 50%
- 710–760
- SAT math, middle 50%
- 720–780
- ACT composite, middle 50%
- 33–34
- Enrollees who sent SAT / ACT
- 27% / 25%
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey, fall 2023 entering class; test ranges and rate from U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
What they look at
- High school GPA
- considered
- High school class rank
- considered
- High school record (transcript)
- required
- College-prep program completed
- required
- Recommendations
- required
- Demonstration of competencies
- considered
- SAT/ACT scores
- considered
- English proficiency test (TOEFL etc.)
- considered
- Other test
- not considered
- Work experience
- considered
- Personal statement or essay
- considered
- Legacy status
- considered
“Considered” means the college uses it if you submit it, but it isn’t required.
What families actually pay
Average yearly net price (after grants and scholarships) for first-time, full-time students who got aid, by family income.
- Full sticker price (per year)
- $87,000
- Tuition & fees – in-state
- $68,045
- Tuition & fees – out-of-state
- $68,045
- Median debt at graduation
- $19,500
- Students with federal loans
- 14%
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Outcomes
- Graduate within 6 years
- 94%
- Freshmen who return for year 2
- 97%
- Median earnings, 1 year after graduating
- $60,434
- Median earnings, 10 years after starting
- $94,810
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Students & campus
- Undergraduates
- 1,881
- Graduate students
- 355
- Student-to-faculty ratio
- 7 : 1
- Women
- 51%
- Students receiving Pell grants
- 11%
- Full-time faculty
- 88%
Undergraduate diversity
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Most popular majors
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release) (share of bachelor’s degrees awarded)
Contacts & links
- President
- Dr. Will Dudley
- Main phone
- (540) 458-8400
- Address
- 204 West Washington Street, Lexington, VA 24450-2116
How to apply (2026–27)
| Plan | Apply by | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Early Decision (binding) | November 1 | December 20 |
| Early Decision II (binding) | January 5 | February 1 |
| Regular Decision | January 5 | April 1 |
- Apply with
- Common App, Coalition/Scoir, QuestBridge
- SAT/ACT
- Optional
- Essays
- Optional 'Why W&L?' statement (250 words) + 1 optional short answer
- Recommendations
- 1 counselor + 2 teachers
Testing: Test-optional for fall 2027 entry (2026–27 cycle)
Financial aid policies
- Need-blind for U.S. applicants
- Meets 100% of demonstrated need
- No-loan financial aid
- CSS Profile required (plus FAFSA)
- Merit scholarships: Johnson Scholarship (full ride); essay due December 1
- Full-tuition grant for family income under $200K from 2027–28; under $75K pays no tuition, room or board
Early rounds & waitlist (2025-2026)
- Early Decision admit rate
- 27.6% (289 of 1,048)
- Waitlist: offered / accepted / admitted
- 1,274 / 604 / 2
Source: the college’s official website and Common Data Set 2025-2026: wlu.edu, wlu.edu, wlu.edu, wlu.edu. Dates can change, so always confirm on the college’s site.