UNC Chapel Hill vs. Washington and Lee

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill, NC with Washington and Lee University in Lexington, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is larger than Washington and Lee based on total student enrollment (32,438 students vs. 2,241 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is located in Chapel Hill, NC (Small City setting); Washington and Lee University is in Lexington, VA (Distant Town setting).
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Washington and Lee University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 15:1; Washington and Lee University 7:1.

UNC Chapel Hill vs. Washington and Lee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNC Chapel Hill or Washington and Lee? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill than Washington and Lee ($10,154 vs. $23,055).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are 26.1% lower than at Washington and Lee University ($13,804 vs. $18,685).
• Washington and Lee University is 656.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNC Chapel Hill (about $59,051 more per year; $68,045.00 vs. $8,994.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 65.1% higher at Washington and Lee than at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (about $26,842 more per year; $68,045.00 vs. $41,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Washington and Lee University than at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (64% vs. 38%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Washington and Lee University students is 259% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill students ($63,945 vs. $17,814).

UNC Chapel Hill vs. Washington and Lee Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNC Chapel Hill or Washington and Lee? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Washington and Lee and UNC Chapel Hill.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Washington and Lee University (1490) is 30 points higher than at UNC Chapel Hill (1460).
• Incoming Washington and Lee students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 31 at UNC Chapel Hill).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 1390/1530; Washington and Lee University 1430/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 28/34; Washington and Lee University 33/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNC Chapel Hill - Test optional; Washington and Lee - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNC Chapel Hill Jan 15, 2027; Washington and Lee Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Washington and Lee students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at UNC Chapel Hill (3.83).
• UNC Chapel Hill has a higher acceptance rate (15.3%) than Washington and Lee (14%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.5% at UNC Chapel Hill vs. 41.2% at Washington and Lee.

UNC Chapel Hill vs. Washington and Lee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNC Chapel Hill and Washington and Lee? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Washington and Lee University's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's (89%).
• Graduates from Washington and Lee University earn a median of about $22,900 more per year than UNC Chapel Hill graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,000 vs. $66,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduates have a $5,021 lower median loan debt than Washington and Lee graduates ($16,479 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, UNC Chapel Hill graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Washington and Lee graduates ($170 vs. $222).
• More Washington and Lee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNC Chapel Hill students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 82%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.