Lexington, VA · 1.9k students
Trajecta score
+2.9 since '20Ranked #32 of 2,375
5-year trend
77.3 · #35
2020
78.2 · #42
2021
78.4 · #47
2022
79.6 · #40
2023
80.2 · #36
2024
Academic Profile
89/ 100
Career Outcomes
88/ 100
Student Success
93/ 100
Affordability
61/ 100
Academic Investment
95/ 100
Access & Equity
41/ 100
Academic Profile
89
Career Outcomes
88
Student Success
93
Affordability
61
Academic Investment
95
Access & Equity
41
AI Fit Analysis
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Cost / Net Price
$87k / $24k
SAT Avg
1,498
Retention
97%
Grad Rate
94%
Admissions
Test Scores
Scores represent the midpoint of enrolled students, not a cutoff.
Finances
Tuition
In-State Tuition
$68,045
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$68,045
per year
Aid & Debt
Pell Grant Share
11%
undergraduates receiving Pell
Federal Loan Share
14%
students borrowing
Median Debt
among completers
$19,500
Admissions Factors
Self-reported by the school in its Common Data Set (section C7) — the school's own statement of which application factors matter in its admissions decisions.
Source: Common Data Set 2024-2025, what Washington and Lee University reports weighing in admissions.
| Factor | Very Important | Important | Considered | Not Considered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rigor of secondary school record | Rigor of secondary school record: Very Important | |||
| Class rank | Class rank: Considered | |||
| Academic GPA | Academic GPA: Considered | |||
| Standardized test scores | Standardized test scores: Considered | |||
| Application essay | Application essay: Considered | |||
| Recommendation(s) | Recommendation(s): Very Important | |||
| Interview | Interview: Considered | |||
| Extracurricular activities | Extracurricular activities: Very Important | |||
| Talent/ability | Talent/ability: Considered | |||
| Character/personal qualities | Character/personal qualities: Very Important | |||
| First generation | First generation: Considered | |||
| Alumni/ae relation | Alumni/ae relation: Considered | |||
| Geographical residence | Geographical residence: Considered | |||
| State residency | State residency: Considered | |||
| Religious affiliation/commitment | Religious affiliation/commitment: Not Considered | |||
| Volunteer work | Volunteer work: Considered | |||
| Work experience | Work experience: Considered | |||
| Level of applicant's interest | Level of applicant's interest: Considered |
Supplemental Essays · 2026-27
school's admissions site ↗Optional "Why W&L?" statement
Optional250 wordsThere are over 8,200 accredited colleges and universities in the U.S. alone. You have chosen to apply to Washington and Lee University. Please describe how you have familiarized yourself with W&L and what aspects of its community are most exciting to you.
Optional short answer, Option 1: Life outside school
OptionalChoose 1250 wordsPlease describe an aspect of your life outside of school that is important to you, such as an extracurricular activity, a job, or a family responsibility. How has your involvement shaped your personal qualities and growth, and how has it impacted those around you?
Optional short answer, Option 2: Diversity you bring
OptionalChoose 1250 wordsW&L’s mission statement focuses on preparing graduates for lifelong learning in a global and diverse society. Engaging with faculty, staff, and classmates with diverse identities, experiences, and perspectives is an essential component of our education. Recognizing that diversity takes many forms, what diverse aspect would you bring to W&L?
Optional short answer, Option 3: Curious mind
OptionalChoose 1250 wordsReveal to us how your curious mind works by sharing something you spend considerable time thinking or learning about.
Optional short answer, Option 4: A name and its significance
OptionalChoose 1250 wordsOn a residential college campus with a Speaking Tradition that encourages connections between individuals, using each other’s names matters. Please share the story of any name you go by and what significance it holds for you.
Drafting these? Write them with AI feedback in Trajecta →
Methodology
The Trajecta Score (0–100) blends six dimensions of public college data into one comparable number, then nudges it by how much data each school reports. Selectivity tiers are separate — they’re based purely on a school’s admission rate.
Read the full methodologyMedian earnings 10 years out, earnings vs. a high-school grad, and loan repayment.
Admission selectivity and the incoming class’s SAT / ACT scores.
Average net price after aid and the typical debt of graduates.
Graduation rate and first-year retention.
Instructional spending and faculty salaries per student.
Share of Pell-grant students and reliance on federal loans.
Data from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and IPEDS. Figures are the most recent reported and may lag a year or two. This tool is read-only and not personalized — inside the Trajecta app, scores are tailored to your profile as a fit score.
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