Amherst vs. Washington and Lee

Amherst College and Washington and Lee University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Amherst College
Washington and Lee University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Amherst (9% admitted vs 14%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1490.
  • Cheaper after aid: Amherst. Average net price is $19,049 vs $23,055 at Washington and Lee.
  • Graduation: Amherst 96% vs Washington and Lee 91%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Amherst $82,000 vs Washington and Lee $89,000 (median).
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Key differences

Amherst College Washington and Lee University
Acceptance rate
Amherst more selective
Amherst9%
Washington and Lee14%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Amherst higher
Amherst1490-1580
Washington and Lee1430-1540
Average net price
Amherst $4,006 less
Amherst$19,049
Washington and Lee$23,055
In-state tuition
Washington and Lee $2,435 less
Amherst$70,480
Washington and Lee$68,045
Out-of-state tuition
Washington and Lee $2,435 less
Amherst$70,480
Washington and Lee$68,045
Graduation rate
Amherst +5 pts
Amherst96%
Washington and Lee91%
Median earnings (10 years)
Washington and Lee +$7,000
Amherst$82,000
Washington and Lee$89,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Amherst 13,743
  • Washington and Lee 8,213
  • Admitted
  • Amherst 1,238
  • Washington and Lee 1,147
  • Acceptance rate
  • Amherst 9%
  • Washington and Lee 14%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Amherst 38.8%
  • Washington and Lee 41.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Amherst 1540
  • Washington and Lee 1490
  • Typical ACT score
  • Amherst 34
  • Washington and Lee 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • Amherst 3.91
  • Washington and Lee 3.87
  • Typical high school grades
  • Amherst A
  • Washington and Lee A
  • Admissions standards
  • Amherst Elite
  • Washington and Lee Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Amherst Extreme
  • Washington and Lee Very High
  • SAT range
  • Amherst 1490-1580
  • Washington and Lee 1430-1540
  • ACT range
  • Amherst 33-35
  • Washington and Lee 33-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Amherst Test optional
  • Washington and Lee Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Amherst Jan 2, 2027
  • Washington and Lee Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Washington and Lee $68,045
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Washington and Lee $68,045
  • Room & board
  • Amherst $18,390
  • Washington and Lee $18,685
  • Average net price
  • Amherst $19,049
  • Washington and Lee $23,055
  • Average grant aid
  • Amherst $68,591
  • Washington and Lee $63,945
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Amherst 59%
  • Washington and Lee 64%
  • Graduation rate
  • Amherst 96%
  • Washington and Lee 91%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Amherst $82,000
  • Washington and Lee $89,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Amherst 83%
  • Washington and Lee 88%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Amherst $12,975
  • Washington and Lee $21,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Amherst $134
  • Washington and Lee $222
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Amherst 6:1
  • Washington and Lee 7:1
  • Popular majors
  • Amherst
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Washington and Lee
    • Social Sciences (21%)
    • Business (19%)
    • Foreign Languages (9%)
    • History (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Location
  • Amherst Amherst, MA
  • Washington and Lee Lexington, VA
  • Setting
  • Amherst Town Fringe
  • Washington and Lee Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Amherst 1,914
  • Washington and Lee 2,241
  • Type
  • Amherst Private 4 Year
  • Washington and Lee Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Amherst #13
  • Washington and Lee #31

Comparable Facts

Compare Amherst College in Amherst, MA with Washington and Lee University in Lexington, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Washington and Lee University is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (2,241 students vs. 1,914 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Washington and Lee University is in Lexington, VA (Distant Town setting).
  • Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Washington and Lee University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; Washington and Lee University 7:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Amherst College are 1.6% lower than at Washington and Lee University ($18,390 vs. $18,685).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 3.6% higher at Amherst than at Washington and Lee University (about $2,435 more per year; $70,480 vs. $68,045).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Washington and Lee University than at Amherst College (64% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 7.3% larger than aid received by Washington and Lee University students ($68,591 vs. $63,945).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Amherst than at Washington and Lee (34 vs. 33, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Amherst and Washington and Lee.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Washington and Lee Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Amherst average a 3.91 high school GPA, 0.04 higher than at Washington and Lee (3.87).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 41.2% at Washington and Lee.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $8,525 lower median loan debt than Washington and Lee graduates ($12,975 vs. $21,500).
  • Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $88 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Washington and Lee graduates ($134 vs. $222).
  • More Washington and Lee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Amherst students, three years after graduation (88% vs. 83%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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