Overview
Enrollment
Washington and Lee University occupies a historic campus in the Shenandoah Valley town of Lexington, Virginia, approximately 150 miles southwest of Washington, D.C. The liberal arts institution, founded in 1749 as Augusta Academy, is the ninth-oldest college in the United States and features distinctive Colonnade architecture, designated as a National Historic Landmark. Named after George Washington, who provided a foundational endowment, and Robert E. Lee, who served as president after the Civil War and established the university's journalism program and honor system, W&L maintains highly selective undergraduate admissions standards. The university consists of the College, offering liberal arts programs, and the Williams School of Commerce, Economics, and Politics, alongside a School of Law, with particular strengths in business, journalism, and pre-professional programs. Most undergraduate students reside on the central campus, which maintains a residential college system within its historic dormitories and modern housing facilities.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Washington and Lee is rated within the top 7% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 10 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Washington and Lee University within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#28 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#28 in Best Private Colleges in the U.S.
#1 in Best Colleges in Virginia
#1 in Best Private Colleges in Virginia
#27 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#2 in Best Value Colleges in Virginia
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1410/1530 |
| ACT | 32/35 |
| Estimated GPA | 3.87 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Jan 1, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Very High |
| Application Fee | $60 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $2,290 |
| Other Fees | $1,210 |
| Room and Board | $17,685 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $2,500 |
| Total One Year Cost | $87,000 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Social Sciences | 21% |
| Business | 19% |
| Foreign Languages | 9% |
| History | 7% |
| Biology | 7% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering Washington and Lee are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=234207 IPEDS survey data for Washington and Lee University.
Current students may use the Washington and Lee University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025