Penn vs. Washington and Lee

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA with Washington and Lee University in Lexington, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Pennsylvania is larger than Washington and Lee based on total student enrollment (29,109 students vs. 2,241 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Pennsylvania is located in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting); Washington and Lee University is in Lexington, VA (Distant Town setting).
• University of Pennsylvania is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Washington and Lee University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Pennsylvania 8:1; Washington and Lee University 7:1.

Penn vs. Washington and Lee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn 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 Washington and Lee University than Penn ($23,055 vs. $23,570).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Washington and Lee University are 2.6% lower than at University of Pennsylvania ($18,685 vs. $19,174).
• University of Pennsylvania is 0.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Washington and Lee (about $641 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $68,045.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.9% higher at Penn than at Washington and Lee University (about $641 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $68,045.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Washington and Lee University than at University of Pennsylvania (64% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Pennsylvania students is 2.4% larger than aid received by Washington and Lee University students ($65,458 vs. $63,945).

Penn vs. Washington and Lee Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Penn 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 Penn.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Pennsylvania (1540) is 50 points higher than at Washington and Lee (1490).
• Incoming Penn students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 33 at Washington and Lee).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Pennsylvania 1510/1570; Washington and Lee University 1430/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Pennsylvania 34/36; Washington and Lee University 33/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn - Required; Washington and Lee - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Penn Jan 5, 2027; Washington and Lee Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Washington and Lee (3.87).
• Washington and Lee has a higher acceptance rate (14%) than Penn (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 68% at Penn vs. 41.2% at Washington and Lee.

Penn vs. Washington and Lee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn 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).

• University of Pennsylvania's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Washington and Lee University's (91%).
• Graduates from University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $34,600 more per year than Washington and Lee graduates about ten years after starting college ($123,600 vs. $89,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $867 lower median loan debt than Washington and Lee graduates ($20,633 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Penn graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Washington and Lee graduates ($213 vs. $222).
• More Washington and Lee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 84%)

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.