- 4 Year
- LEXINGTON, VA
Washington and Lee University
- grade A+Overall Grade
- 4 Year
- LEXINGTON, VA
- Rating 3.99 out of 5 465 reviews
Report Card
- Academicsgrade A+
- Valuegrade A+
- Diversitygrade A minus
- Campusgrade B+
- Athleticsgrade B minus
- Party Scenegrade A
- Professorsgrade A+
- Locationgrade B
- Dormsgrade A
- Campus Foodgrade B+
- Student Lifegrade A
- Safetygrade B
About
We pride ourselves on ensuring our talented students have the opportunity to turn their passion into action. We augment the arts, humanities, and sciences with offerings like business, journalism, and engineering that are not commonly found in a small college setting. Our core curriculum, combined with the breadth of our course catalog, allows students to make connections across disciplines. Innovative interdisciplinary and experiential programs elevate our classic education to be particularly relevant in the modern world.
With a strong support system from day one, our students find success during their four years and beyond. W&L’s graduation rate is the 3rd highest in the U.S., and 96% of graduates are employed or enrolled in graduate school within six months. We're committed to making a W&L experience affordable through generous need and merit-based financial aid. W&L meets 100% of a student’s demonstrated financial need through grants, scholarships, and campus work — without loans.
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events
Early Decision II Application Deadline
Deadline
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Students who determine Washington and Lee as their first-choice college may apply through our Early Decision (ED) program. By applying Early Decision, students commit to enroll at W&L if they are admitted and withdraw all other college applications — regardless of country — immediately after confirming their intention to enroll at W&L with a reservation deposit. ED applicants receive an admission decision within a few weeks of the application deadline, along with details of any need-based financial aid award for which they qualify. Because of its binding nature, submitting an Early Decision application requires careful consideration. We recommend discussing this option with parents and your secondary school counselor, in addition to our admissions and financial aid staff, before choosing this option.
Regular Decision Application Deadline
Deadline
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Students applying for Regular Decision may consider the admission decisions from all colleges to which they applied before making a final enrollment decision. Students have until May 1 to make their final college choice. Regular Decisions applicants who meet the January 1 deadline receive their admission decision by April 1, along with the details of any need-based financial aid award or merit-based scholarship for which they might qualify. Apply via the Common App, the Coalition App, or QuestBridge.
Washington and Lee University Rankings
Niche rankings are based on rigorous analysis of key statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and millions of reviews.
Admissions
Will You Get In?
Will You Get Into W&L?
Test Scores and High School GPA for Washington and Lee University See Other Colleges
Cost
Scholarship
Academics
Majors
Most Popular Majors
- Business98 Graduates
- Economics63 Graduates
- Political Science and Government59 Graduates
- Accounting46 Graduates
- History27 Graduates
- Research and Experimental Psychology25 Graduates
- English20 Graduates
- Biology19 Graduates
- Neuroscience and Neurobiology16 Graduates
- Sociology16 Graduates
The Johnson Scholarship
The Johnson Scholarship awards merit scholarships to talented first-year students, covering tuition, housing, and meals for all four years of enrollment, ensuring scholars graduate debt-free. Scholars also receive summer enhancement funds of up to $7,000 to support internships, community service projects, faculty-supervised research, international experiences, and leadership projects.
Students
Campus Life
After College
Washington and Lee University Reviews
1st for learning opportunities, learning facilities, and career preparation (Wall Street Journal)
1st for best professors (Niche)
1st for allowing free speech on campus (Foundation for Individual Rights & Expression)
2nd for highest career net present value at $1.58M (Georgetown University)
Overall Rank
8th (Washington Monthly and College Rapter)
9th (Wall Street Journal )
10th (Forbes)
11th (Niche)
12th (College Consensus)
And the current acceptance rate is actually 17%, (Niche is incorrect).
Why?
The personal attention students receive at W&L is actually incredible. To that, the training students receive is among the best in the world, combining an emphasis on leadership and community with elite academics. From this, W&L's shockingly powerful and close-knit alumni network is also incredible.
W&L infamous Greek scene is also coming into a new age. The school is diversifying its student population in a fair, inclusive manner, which is loosening the dominance of Greek life, while broadening its social scene. Take a look at the schools leadership team to understand how and why. They're modernizing, while preserving the positive aspects of W&L's distinct student life.
Washington and Lee are also one of the most beautiful schools in the country. No matter what season it is, it is always gorgeous! All of the buildings are historic but in phenomenal condition and the facilities are all brand new! Overall Washington and Lee are hands down one of the best universities in the country!