Payback
EarningsPlus
Economic score
Washington and Lee University is a private liberal arts college located in Lexington, Virginia. Washington and Lee University is very selective in their admissions.
Return on educational investment at Washington and Lee University is in the top 5% of all ranked schools. The median student earns $86,020 10 years after enrolling, 1st in Virginia, and in the top 5% nationally. When adjusted for earning differences by major, Washington and Lee University bachelor students earn 32% more than the national average. Washington and Lee University is ranked 1st in Virginia.
Washington and Lee University’s median net annual cost of $26,175 and average years to graduate of 4.1 are reported only at the school level. We assume these same costs and graduation time for all programs.
The top 6 programs at Washington and Lee University sorted by number of graduates - Business Administration, Economics, Accounting, Poli Sci/Government, History, English Language & Lit - are shown below. To see more programs, click on "see additional programs".
Annual net cost
$26,175
Average years to graduate
4.1
Computer Science
Rank: #103
Economic score: 1.45
The average student at Washington and Lee University takes 4.1 years to graduate, with 94% graduating within 8 years. The graduation rate at Washington and Lee University is 31% more than the state average and 25% more than the average for all liberal arts colleges in the country.
At Washington and Lee University, Pell Grant recipients represent 11% of the measured graduating class, 24% lower than the national average of 35%. The average Pell Grant recipient at Washington and Lee University graduates within 4 years.
Washington and Lee University is in the bottom 10% of schools for graduating Pell recipients.
We calculate this performance by adjusting the graduation rate of Pell students by their percentage of the student body. This adjustment is made to prevent schools with large numbers of Pell students from underperforming in comparison to schools with few Pell students but high graduation rates.
Washington and Lee University’s economic mobility score of 10.92 is calculated by adjusting the 0.08 economic score of lower-income students by the 11% pell grant recipients within the student body. Washington and Lee University’s EMS of 10.92 ranks in the bottom 50% nationally.
Economic Mobility
To calculate economic mobility of low-income (household earnings below $30,000) students, we adjust each institution’s economic score by their percentage of Pell Grant students. The logic of this Pell-adjusted calculation is derived from Third Way’s Economic Mobility Index (EMI).
Bottom 50%
The average Title IV recipient at Washington and Lee University pays $26,175 a year, $51,425 less than the $77,600 advertised. See below the cost breakdown for students who receive Title IV grants, broken down by income level.
Average net price
The average net price shown by income level for all students that receive Title IV aid. Calculated by deducting the average grant and scholarship aid from tuition, fees, books, and room and board. Limited to first-time, full-time students. Public institution figures are calculated using in-state tuition figures.
Median net price $26,175
Much of the gap between net price and sticker price is filled by institutional and government grants. At Washington and Lee University, 56% of students receive some grants and scholarships, compared to the national average of 87% for all colleges and universities. The average amount of federal, state, and institutional grants that students receive is shown on the right.
This leaves a total of $26,175 on average to be covered by the student – be it through loans or out of pocket. In total, 17% of students take out loans, federal or private, at an average amount of $12,473. This is 37% less than the national average.
Federal grants
$4,878
Pell grants
$4,733
State grants
$4,102
Institutional grants
$53,770
Washington and Lee University's very selective admissions are indicated by their 19% acceptance rate. In 2021, the school had 6,621 applicants, of which 1,248 were admitted and 484 enrolled. Washington and Lee University doesn't have a rolling admissions policy, which means applications are reviewed after a hard admissions deadline.
Full time
100%
83%
Female
44%
59%
First time
100%
59%
In-state
13%
68%
1st generation
N/A
35%
White
77%
52%
Black
3%
14%
Hispanic
6%
15%
Asian
4%
5%
American Indian
N/A
1.6%
Pacific Islander
N/A
0.3%
Other
9%
12%