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Washington and Lee University

Washington and Lee University is a private nonprofit university in a distant town with 1,898 students and a 14% acceptance rate.

Lexington, Virginia · Private nonprofit · Town, distant · 1,898 students

NCAA Division III · Old Dominion Athletic Conference

Admission rate

14%

of applicants admitted

SAT average

1,498

combined, admitted students

ACT, middle half

32–35

25th to 75th percentile

Average net price

$23,781

per year, after grants

Graduation rate

94%

within 6 years

Freshman retention

95%

return for sophomore year

Median earnings

$94,810

10 years after entry

Students

1,898

total enrollment

Source: U.S. Dept. of Education (College Scorecard and IPEDS) · data snapshot October 2, 2026 · Updated October 2, 2026

First-year deadlines, 2026–27

PlanDeadline
Early decision
Apply early, hear early, and you must enroll if admitted. Binding.		November 1, 2026
Early decision II
A second, later early decision round. Also binding.		January 5, 2027
Regular decision
The standard deadline, with answers in spring. Not binding.		January 5, 2027

Plans are listed in calendar order. What the plans mean

Source: wlu.edu · checked September 19, 2026

What families actually pay

Average yearly net price after grants, all students, by family income

$0–30,000$-1,777
$30,001–48,000$75
$48,001–75,000$4,497
$75,001–110,000$8,162
Over $110,000$40,646

Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, College Scorecard · data snapshot October 2, 2026

AP credit

Most-taken exams, lowest score that earns credit
ExamMin scoreWashington and Lee University courseCredits
Biology5
BIOL 1-SL-N (4-credit 1000-level SL non-major…BIOL 1-SL-N (4-credit 1000-level SL non-major elective) If biology, neuroscience, or environmental science major or pre-health, BIOL 1111/1112
Chemistry5
CHEM 1104 (4) SL If science major or pre-health…CHEM 1104 (4) SL If science major or pre-health, take CHEM 1204
English Language and Composition5
WRIT 1000 (3) FW Exempt from FW; consider taking…WRIT 1000 (3) FW Exempt from FW; consider taking a 2000-level literature course to fulfill HL or a 2000-level creative writing course to fulfill HA
English Literature and Composition5
WRIT 1000 (3) FW Exempt from FW; consider taking…WRIT 1000 (3) FW Exempt from FW; consider taking a 2000-level literature course to fulfill HL or a 2000-level creative writing course to fulfill HA
Psychology5
CBSC 10M (3 credit 1000-level, non-FDR, major…CBSC 10M (3 credit 1000-level, non-FDR, major elective) Any 1000-level cognitive and behavioral science course
Statistics5GEN 10N (3-credit, 1000-level, non-FDR, non-major elective)
Macroeconomics5
ECON 1002 (3), SS1 Consider taking a 2000-level…ECON 1002 (3), SS1 Consider taking a 2000-level elective ECON course, if credit for both 1001 and 1002 have been obtained
Microeconomics5
ECON 1001 (3), SS1 Consider taking a 2000-level…ECON 1001 (3), SS1 Consider taking a 2000-level elective ECON course, if credit for both ECON 1001 and 1002 have been obtained
Show all 31 exams and every score level
ExamMin scoreCourseCredits
Biology5
BIOL 1-SL-N (4-credit 1000-level SL non-major…BIOL 1-SL-N (4-credit 1000-level SL non-major elective) If biology, neuroscience, or environmental science major or pre-health, BIOL 1111/1112
Chemistry5
CHEM 1104 (4) SL If science major or pre-health…CHEM 1104 (4) SL If science major or pre-health, take CHEM 1204
English Language and Composition5
WRIT 1000 (3) FW Exempt from FW; consider taking…WRIT 1000 (3) FW Exempt from FW; consider taking a 2000-level literature course to fulfill HL or a 2000-level creative writing course to fulfill HA
English Literature and Composition5
WRIT 1000 (3) FW Exempt from FW; consider taking…WRIT 1000 (3) FW Exempt from FW; consider taking a 2000-level literature course to fulfill HL or a 2000-level creative writing course to fulfill HA
Psychology5
CBSC 10M (3 credit 1000-level, non-FDR, major…CBSC 10M (3 credit 1000-level, non-FDR, major elective) Any 1000-level cognitive and behavioral science course
Statistics5GEN 10N (3-credit, 1000-level, non-FDR, non-major elective)
Macroeconomics5
ECON 1002 (3), SS1 Consider taking a 2000-level…ECON 1002 (3), SS1 Consider taking a 2000-level elective ECON course, if credit for both 1001 and 1002 have been obtained
Microeconomics5
ECON 1001 (3), SS1 Consider taking a 2000-level…ECON 1001 (3), SS1 Consider taking a 2000-level elective ECON course, if credit for both ECON 1001 and 1002 have been obtained
World History: Modern5
HIST 10N (3-credit, 1000-level, non-FDR…HIST 10N (3-credit, 1000-level, non-FDR, non-major elective) Register for any history course
European History5
HIST 10N (3-credit, 1000-level, non-FDR…HIST 10N (3-credit, 1000-level, non-FDR, non-major elective) Register for any history course
Computer Science Principles5CSCI 1000 (4) FM Consider taking CSCI 1100
Art History4
ARTH 1-HA-M (3-credit 1000-level HA non-major…ARTH 1-HA-M (3-credit 1000-level HA non-major elective) Register for any art history course
Art History5
ARTH 1001 (3) HA Register for any art history…ARTH 1001 (3) HA Register for any art history course other than ARTH 1001
Music Theory4
Contact the department head of the Music…Contact the department head of the Music Department before the beginning of fall term
Music Theory5
MUS 1601 (3) HA & MUS 1603 (1) Take MUS 1602 and…MUS 1601 (3) HA & MUS 1603 (1) Take MUS 1602 and 1604 in winter term
Art 2D Design5ARTS 1-HA-N (3-credit 1000-level HA non-major elective)
Art 3D Design5ARTS 1-HA-N (3-credit 1000-level HA non-major elective)
Chinese Language and Culture5
Take placement test with department If exempt…Take placement test with department If exempt from FL, take CHIN 3101
Comparative Government and Politics5POL 1005 (3) SS2
Environmental Studies - Environmental Science5ENV 10N (3-credit, 1000-level, non-FDR, non-major elective)
French - French Language and Culture4
Take placement test with department (but cannot…Take placement test with department (but cannot take course below FREN 1604) If exempt from FL; take a 2000-level French course
French - French Language and Culture5
FREN 1602 (3) FL Exempt from FL; take a…FREN 1602 (3) FL Exempt from FL; take a 2000-level French course
German - German Language and Culture4
Take placement test with department If exempt…Take placement test with department If exempt from FL, take GERM 3101
German - German Language and Culture5GERM 2102 (4) FL If exempt from FL, take GERM 3101
History - U.S. History5
HIST 10N (3-credit, 1000-level, non-FDR…HIST 10N (3-credit, 1000-level, non-FDR, non-major elective) Register for any history course
Italian Language and Culture4Please get in touch with Professor Stephen McCormick
Italian Language and Culture5
ITAL 1263 (4) FL Exempt from FL; take a…ITAL 1263 (4) FL Exempt from FL; take a 2000-level Italian course
Japanese Language and Culture5
Take placement test with department If exempt…Take placement test with department If exempt from FL; take JAPN 3101
Latin5
LATN 2002 (3) FL Exempt from FL; take a…LATN 2002 (3) FL Exempt from FL; take a 3000-level Latin course
Math - Calculus AB (subscores not accepted)3
--- MATH 1210, Note #1: First-year students may…--- MATH 1210, Note #1: First-year students may opt to enroll in MATH 1220 as an advanced standing student, instead of MATH 1210. Upon completing MATH 1220 with a grade of C or better, 3 credits for MATH 1210 also will be awarded. Advanced standing is an option only available in the student’s first year.
Math - Calculus AB (subscores not accepted)5MATH 1210 (3) FM MATH 1220
Math - Calculus BC (subscores not accepted)3
--- MATH 1210, Note #1: First-year students may…--- MATH 1210, Note #1: First-year students may opt to enroll in MATH 1220 as an advanced standing student, instead of MATH 1210. Upon completing MATH 1220 with a grade of C or better, 3 credits for MATH 1210 also will be awarded. Advanced standing is an option only available in the student’s first year.
Math - Calculus BC (subscores not accepted)5MATH 1210 (3) FM & MATH 1220 (3) SC MATH 2100, 2200, or 2400
Physics 1 or Physics 25
PHYS 1-SC-N (3-credit SC non-major elective) if…PHYS 1-SC-N (3-credit SC non-major elective) if no Physics C-level credit earned If interested in physics, engineering, or integrated engineering major, take PHYS 1101A (fall) and PHYS 1102A (winter)
Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism5
PHYS 1-SC-N (3-credit SC non-major elective) If…PHYS 1-SC-N (3-credit SC non-major elective) If interested in physics, engineering, or integrated engineering major, take PHYS 1101A (fall) and PHYS 1102A (winter)
Physics C: Mechanics5
PHYS 1-SC-N (3-credit SC non-major elective) If…PHYS 1-SC-N (3-credit SC non-major elective) If interested in physics, engineering, or integrated engineering major, take PHYS 1101A (fall) and PHYS 1102A (winter)
Politics - Government and Politics: U.S5POL 1000 (3) SS2
Spanish Language or Spanish Literature4
Take placement test with department (but cannot…Take placement test with department (but cannot take course below SPAN 1604) If exempt from FL; take a 2000-level Spanish course
Spanish Language or Spanish Literature5
SPAN 1602 (3) FL Exempt from FL; take a…SPAN 1602 (3) FL Exempt from FL; take a 2000-level Spanish course

Source: wlu.edu · checked September 25, 2026

Biggest majors

MajorGraduates
Business Administration and Management96
Accounting and Business/Management48
Research and Experimental Psychology, Other41
Political Science and Government32
Economics28
Neuroscience23
History19
Computer Science14
Show the other 23 majors
Biology/Biological Sciences13
Journalism13
Mathematics12
Environmental Studies9
Engineering Science9
Biochemistry9
Religion/Religious Studies8
Chemistry8
Geology/Earth Science8
Physics8
Engineering7
Sociology and Anthropology7
English Language and Literature6
Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics5
Art History, Criticism and Conservation5
Public Relations/Image Management3
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics3
Spanish Language and Literature3
Philosophy3
Music2
Fine/Studio Arts2
German Language and Literature2
East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics2

Bachelor’s graduates, first major, most recent year · Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, IPEDS · data snapshot October 2, 2026

Ranked programs

Where Washington and Lee University ranks in the top 25 on our top-programs lists, best rank first. How we rank programs

Scholarships

Amounts and eligibility change; check the college’s page for current details.

Sports and campus life

Men’s varsity · NCAA Division III, Old Dominion Athletic Conference

Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field (Indoor), Track and Field (Outdoor), Wrestling

Women’s varsity · NCAA Division III, Old Dominion Athletic Conference

Basketball, Cross Country, Field Hockey, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field (Indoor), Track and Field (Outdoor), Volleyball

Coed varsity · NCAA Division III, Old Dominion Athletic Conference

Equestrian

ROTC

Air Force, Army

Faith groups

Hillel, InterVarsity, Newman Connection

Also

Study abroad

Greek life

75% of men in fraternities · 72% of women in sororities · 73% of undergraduates overall (Common Data Set 2022–23)

Sources: U.S. Dept. of Education athletics data (EADA), Common Data Set (Greek life), hillel.org · checked September 4, 2026 · data snapshot October 2, 2026

The place

Setting

Town, distant

Federal locale classification

More about the place

Nearest airport

Lynchburg Regional/Preston Glenn Field (LYH)

Nearest hub airport

Washington Dulles International (IAD)

Walkability

EPA walkability index 14.3 of 20

Elevation

1,015 ft

Time zone

Eastern

January low

23°F

July high

87°F

Annual snowfall

13.5 in

Days at 90°F or higher

31 per year

One-bedroom fair market rent

$980 per month

Sources: U.S. Dept. of Education (IPEDS locale), U.S. Census metro estimates, NOAA climate normals, HUD fair market rents, EPA walkability · data snapshot October 2, 2026

Colleges nearby

Straight-line distance between campuses

Similar colleges

Private nonprofit, town campus, NCAA Division III, similar size