Washington and Lee University

www.wlu.edu

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2024 Undergraduate Tuition

$66,800

5.5% growth from 2023

2024 Average Net Price

$23,055

After Financial Aid

2024 Acceptance Rate

14%

8,213 Applicants

2024 Enrolled Students

2,241

100% Full-Time

2024 Graduation Rate

93.9%

445 Graduates

About

Washington and Lee University is a higher education institution located in Lexington City, VA. In 2024, the most popular Professional Doctorate concentrations at Washington and Lee University were Law (142 degrees awarded).

In 2024, 748 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Washington and Lee University. 53.1% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 46.9% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (555 degrees), 8.81 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (63 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at Washington and Lee University is $66,800, which is $38,622 more than the national average for Baccalaureate Colleges ($28,178).

Baccalaureate Colleges: Arts & Sciences Focus Baccalaureate Colleges

Costs

In 2024, the median undergraduate tuition at Washington and Lee University is $66,800, which is $38,622 more than the national average for Baccalaureate Colleges ($28,178).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $23,055.

In 2024, 65% of undergraduate students attending Washington and Lee University received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 14% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$66,800

2024 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2024, the cost of tuition at Washington and Lee University was $66,800. The cost of tuition at Washington and Lee University is $38,622 more than than the overall (public and private) national average for Baccalaureate Colleges ($28,178).

This chart compares the tuition costs of Washington and Lee University (in red) with those of other similar universities.

Average Net Price

$23,055

2024 Value

6.54%

1 Year Growth

In 2024 Washington and Lee University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $23,055. Between 2023 and 2024, the average net price of Washington and Lee University grew by 6.54%.

This chart compares the average net price of Washington and Lee University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

Average net price is calculated from full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded a grant or scholarship from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.

Other Student Expenses

$17,685

Room and Board

$2,290

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at Washington and Lee University was of $17,685 in 2024. The cost of room and board increased by 4.52% between 2023 and 2024.

During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $2,290. The cost of books and supplies increased by 13.1% during the same period.

This chart compares the average student costs at Washington and Lee University (in red) with that of similar universities.

Financial Aid by Income Level

65%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

14%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

65% of undergraduate students at Washington and Lee University received financial aid through grants or loans in 2024. This represents a growth of 1.56% with respect to 2023, when 64% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

This chart compares the average award discount at Washington and Lee University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

The average award discount is the ratio between the average grant or scholarship value, and the cost, which is the sum of out-of-state tuition, room, board, book, supplies, and other expenses.

Admissions

Washington and Lee University received 8,213 undergraduate applications in 2024, which represents a 20.4% annual growth. Out of those 8,213 applicants, 1,147 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 14% acceptance rate.

There were 2,241 students enrolled at Washington and Lee University in 2024. 24% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

Washington and Lee University has an overall enrollment yield of 41.2%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

14%

Acceptance Rate in 2024

1,147

Accepted Out of 8,213

In 2024, the undergraduate acceptance rate of Washington and Lee University was 14% (1,147 admissions from 8,213 applications). This is lower than the acceptance rate of 2023, which was 17.4%. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of applicants grew by 20.4%, while admissions declined by 3.13%.

This chart compares the acceptance rate of Washington and Lee University (in red) with that of other similar universities, and the chart below shows the acceptance rate by gender.

SAT Scores

24%

Submission Percentage (2024)

111

Scores Submitted (2024)

24% of enrolled first-time students at Washington and Lee University in 2024 submitted SAT scores with their applications.

The following chart shows the average SAT scores for the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile of applicants for each section of the test that they are evaluated on.

Enrollment

Washington and Lee University had a total enrollment of 2,241 students in 2024. The full-time enrollment at Washington and Lee University is 2,241 students and the part-time enrollment is 0. This means that 100% of students enrolled at Washington and Lee University are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at Washington and Lee University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 65.7% White, 8.7% Hispanic or Latino, 5.22% Asian, 5.22% Black or African American, 3.93% Two or More Races, 0.178% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders, and 0.134% American Indian or Alaska Native.

Students enrolled at Washington and Lee University in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Female (35.5%), followed by White Male (33.4%) and Hispanic or Latino Female (4.29%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Male (33%), followed by White Female (23.7%) and Black or African American Female (5.99%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

100%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Washington and Lee University in 2024, both undergraduate and graduate, is 2,241 students. The full-time enrollment at Washington and Lee University is 2,241 and the part-time enrollment is 0. This means that 100% of students enrolled at Washington and Lee University are enrolled full-time compared with 78.9% at similar Baccalaureate Colleges.

This chart shows the full-time vs part-time enrollment status at Washington and Lee University (in red) compares to similar universities.

Retention Rate over Time

97%

2024 Retention Rate

Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at Washington and Lee University was 97%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Baccalaureate Colleges (75%), Washington and Lee University had a retention rate higher than its peers.

This chart shows the retention rate over time at Washington and Lee University (highlighted in red) compares to similar universities.

Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

Most Common Race or Ethnicity (2024)

White
1,472 enrolled students
Hispanic or Latino
195 enrolled students
Asian
117 enrolled students

The enrolled student population at Washington and Lee University is 65.7% White, 8.7% Hispanic or Latino, 5.22% Asian, 5.22% Black or African American, 3.93% Two or More Races, 0.178% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders, and 0.134% American Indian or Alaska Native. This includes both full-time and part-time students as well as graduate and undergraduates. By comparison, enrollment for all Baccalaureate Colleges is 50.5% White, 15.6% Hispanic or Latino, and 13.2% Black or African American.

Any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis is categorized as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the share of those students are shown in the chart below. Additionally, 71 students (3.17%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2024, 46 more women than men received degrees from Washington and Lee University. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at Washington and Lee University is white (555 degrees awarded). There were 8.81 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (63 degrees).

The most common Professional Doctorate concentration at Washington and Lee University is Law (142 degrees awarded).

In 2024, the most specialized majors across all degree types at Washington and Lee University, meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Legal (142 degrees awarded), Language & Linguistics (48 degrees), and Philosophy and Religious Studies (18 degrees).

Common Jobs by Major

Lawyers, & judges, magistrates, & other judicial workers

Most Common Job

The most common jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Washington and Lee University are Lawyers, & judges, magistrates, & other judicial workers (463,447 people), Other managers (304,150 people), Elementary & middle school teachers (191,761 people), Postsecondary teachers (157,926 people), and Chief executives & legislators (142,532 people).

The most specialized majors at Washington and Lee University in 2024 are Legal (142 degrees awarded), Language & Linguistics (48 degrees), Philosophy and Religious Studies (18 degrees), History (29 degrees), and Social Sciences (123 degrees) (as of 2024).

Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Magnetic resonance imaging technologists

Highest Paying Job

The highest paying jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Washington and Lee University are Magnetic resonance imaging technologists, Surgeons, Diagnostic medical sonographers, Cardiovascular technologists and technicians, and Securities, commodities, & financial services sales agents

The most specialized majors at Washington and Lee University are Legal (142 degrees awarded), Language & Linguistics (48 degrees), Philosophy and Religious Studies (18 degrees), History (29 degrees), and Social Sciences (123 degrees) (as of 2024).

Common Industries by Major

Elementary & secondary schools

Most Common Industry

The most common industries for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Washington and Lee University are Elementary & secondary schools (499,940 people), Legal services (374,322 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (361,501 people), Computer Systems Design (236,426 people), and Justice, public order, & safety activities (217,051 people).

Majors Awarded

IPEDS uses the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) standard, so the categories may not match the exact concentrations offered by Washington and Lee University.

Most Common (2024)

General Business Administration & Management
109 degrees awarded
General Political Science & Government
58 degrees awarded
Accounting & Business Management
48 degrees awarded

In 2024, the most common bachelors degree concentration at Washington and Lee University was General Business Administration & Management with 109 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of degree-majors recipients from bachelors degree programs at Washington and Lee University according to their major.

Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

351

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2024

397

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2024

In 2024, 351 degrees were awarded to men at Washington and Lee University, which is 0.884 times less than the number of degrees awarded to females (397).

This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 majors at Washington and Lee University by degrees awarded.

Most Common Male Majors

In 2024, 69 degrees were awarded to men at Washington and Lee University in General Business Administration & Management, which is 1.73 times more than the 40 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2024, 76 degrees were awarded to men at Washington and Lee University in Law, which is 1.15 times more than the 66 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

92%

100% Completion Time

95%

150% Completion Time

In 2024, 92% of students graduating from Washington and Lee University completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 95% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 95% within 200%.

The following chart shows these completion rates over time compared to the average for the Baccalaureate Colleges Carnegie Classification group.

Graduation rate is defined as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within a specific percentage of "normal time" to completion for their program.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2024)

White
555 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
63 degrees awarded
Two or More Races
32 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at Washington and Lee University is white (555 degrees awarded). There were 8.81 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (63 degrees).

1.2% of degree recipients (9 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic (2024)

White Male
319 degrees awarded
White Male
310 degrees awarded
White Male
306 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at Washington and Lee University is white male (319 degrees awarded). There were 1.03 times more white male recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white male (310 degrees).

Operations

Washington and Lee University has an endowment valued at nearly $2.04B, as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of 136M (6.65%) compared to the 7.58% average return (3.75M on 49.5M) across all Baccalaureate Colleges.

In 2024, Washington and Lee University had a total salary expenditure of 218M. Washington and Lee University employs 106 Assistant professors, 103 Professors and 45 Associate professors. Most academics at Washington and Lee University are Female Assistant professor (61), Male Professor (58), and Female Professor (45).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Washington and Lee University are: Service, with 207 employees, Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media, with 144 employees, and Office and Administrative Support with 103 employees.

Endowment

$2.04B

2024 Endowment

3.51%

growth from 2023

Washington and Lee University has an endowment valued at about $2.04B, as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year. The endowment of Washington and Lee University grew 3.51% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $1.99B higher than than the median endowment of Baccalaureate Colleges according to the Carnegie Classification grouping.

This line chart shows how the endowment at Washington and Lee University (in red) compares to that of some similar universities.

The small bar chart below shows the endowment quintiles for all universities in the Baccalaureate Colleges: Arts & Sciences Focus Carnegie Classification grouping.

Salary Expenditure

$96.8M

2024 Salaries

6.3%

growth from 2023

In 2024, Washington and Lee University paid a median of $96.8M in salaries, which represents 44.5% of their overall expenditure ($218M) and a 6.3% growth from the previous year. This is compared to a 8.98% growth between 2022 and 2023, and a 2.48% growth between 2021 and 2022.

Instructional Salaries

$36.1M

Instructional Salaries

283

Number of Employees

In 2024, Washington and Lee University paid a total of $36.1M to 283 employees working as instructors, which represents 37.2% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $522k (3.48%) for similar Baccalaureate Colleges.

Occupations by Share

In 2024, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Washington and Lee University were Service with 207 employees, Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media with 144 employees, and Office and Administrative Support with 103 employees.

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