About Washington and Lee University

Founded in 1749, Washington and Lee University. is a Private college. Located in Virginia, which is a city setting in Virginia, the campus itself is Town. The campus is home to 1,830 full time undergraduate students, and 330 full time graduate students.

The Washington and Lee University Academic calendar runs on a Four-one-four plan basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 8:1. There are 244 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Washington and Lee University include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate23%
Application Deadline15-Nov
Application Fee50
SAT Range1320-1460
ACT Range30-33

Admissions at W&L are considered Most Selective, with ,10% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 9 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

99% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 98% were in the top quarter, and 81% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Washington and Lee University.

5%
“We”re apathetic”
23%
“We know about current events and vote”
68%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
5%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
6%
“We save it for the classroom”
28%
“Sometimes, but not often”
43%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
23%
“All the time, including weekends”
1%
“I”m always terrified”
6%
“I only go out in groups”
5%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
88%
“I feel extremely safe”
50%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
47%
“We bought the gear”
4%
“We live for the big game”
11%
“It”s not really our thing”
53%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
35%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
1%
“We”re a very artistic group”
1%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
11%
“They keep regular office hours”
88%
“They”re always available”
0%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
0%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
10%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
90%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
0%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
0%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
23%
“We only party on weekends”
77%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
6%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
43%
“There might be people who do”
44%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
7%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
5%
“We”re apathetic”
23%
“We know about current events and vote”
68%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
5%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
6%
“We save it for the classroom”
28%
“Sometimes, but not often”
43%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
23%
“All the time, including weekends”
1%
“I”m always terrified”
6%
“I only go out in groups”
5%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
88%
“I feel extremely safe”
50%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
47%
“We bought the gear”
4%
“We live for the big game”
11%
“It”s not really our thing”
53%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
35%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
1%
“We”re a very artistic group”
1%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
11%
“They keep regular office hours”
88%
“They”re always available”
0%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
0%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
10%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
90%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
0%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
0%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
23%
“We only party on weekends”
77%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
6%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
43%
“There might be people who do”
44%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
7%
“There”s a huge drug scene”

Washington and Lee University REVIEWS

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  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    24 Students rated on-campus housing 3.5 stars. 17 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    17 Students rated off-campus housing 3.6 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    24 Students rated campus food 3.3 stars. 13 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    24 Students rated campus facilities 4.3 stars. 42 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    24 Students rated class size 4.7 stars. 75 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    24 Students rated school activities 4 stars. 42 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    24 Students rated local services 3.5 stars. 8 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    24 Students rated academics 4.2 stars. 58 % gave the school a 5.0.

What's your overall opinion of Washington and Lee University?

9 Students rated Washington and Lee University

Giang - 10/06/2020

As long as you don't lose your identity among the whole school scene you will do just fine. If there's a group you don't seem to fit in, don't force yourself. It might not look like a diverse campus but it actually has variations of different types, it might take some time but don't let it discourages you.

Sally

The school is great. Academics are amazing. Yes, most of the funding seems to go to the business school but the school does care about the other programs. The science center is home to high tec and up-to-date equipment. You only go to football games for a half, but you see almost all of the school out on WFS nights.

Maya

Choosing a university is a complex and difficult process, but I truly think this is the best choice I could have made. On my campus, I feel safe, included, and have already met some of the most ambitious and intelligence people I have ever encountered. There are a plethora of opinions, and intellectual conversation is a staple of both the classroom and the dining hall. We are a politically active and outspoken campus. We need to work (a lot) on diversity, but there are outlets for minority students, such as my place in the Latino Student Organization. Overall, this campus has become a true second home to me.

Riley

It was not until about halfway through my junior year that I even knew Washington and Lee existed. When I did learn about it, however, I was immediately attracted to the school. I was fascinated by the rich history of the university and by the awe inspiring views of the picturesque mountain setting. I was also impressed by the enduring honor code system which is instituted at the university. To further immerse myself in the school, I followed W&L on multiple social media outlets, such as Instagram and Snap-chat. With all these attractions in mind, the final ideal situation which pushed me towards making the decision to apply to W&L, was the ability to compete in the varsity sport of wrestling. In April I met Coach Shearer and he invited me onto campus for a visit. I was delighted to see that everything I had read online was true, but I was also substantially impressed by the wrestling program that he was building. He has been able to round up a group of guys who are not only good wrestlers, but truly great people with outstanding character. There is nothing that would make my college experience more enjoyable then to be a student at a prestigious university such as W&L and to be able to compete in the sport I love with a group of individuals who have the same goals as I do.

Washington and Lee University FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at Washington and Lee University?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Washington and Lee University is 23%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.

  2. Is the stereotype of students at your school accurate?

    Although many students fit this mold, some of these characteristics would make it seem that most students here are snobby or that there is no diversity, which I think is completely untrue. The vast majority of people I have met here are incredibly friendly, kind, and down-to-earth and are willing to work hard to achieve their goals. Before I got here, I was under the impression that I would meet hardly any international or minority students, but I have met and become friends with a large number of them. I think people make too big of a deal of the supposed homogenous nature of this school, because now that I'm here, I don't even think this is true. W&L doesn't emphasize diversity for diversity's sake, but I don't think they should be expected to do so just to meet some kind of quota.

    Read all  104 answers
  3. What is the stereotype of students at your school?

    Washington & Lee students are typically thought to be wealthy, southern, and conservative.

    Read all  104 answers
  4. What is your overall opinion of this school?

    1. Beautiful campus 2. Small class sizes + awesome professors 3. An Honor System that really works 4. Greek Life 5. Alumni who love W&L

    Read all  97 answers
  5. What are the academics like at your school?

    I have enjoyed most of my classes here and almost all, if not all, of the professors I've had have known my name and still say hello to me if I run into them on campus. Professors are incredibly approachable overall and willing to help me if I'm struggling in a class. Most of the classes I've taken have actually been easier than I expected, and the workload is generally very reasonable. Some classes though, like art history and Spanish literature, seemed that they would be easy but ended up being much more difficult than I expected. Students do participate fairly frequently in class, although some classes are much more discussion-based than others. I think that most students tend to study a lot, although there are those types who never seem to study and still make straight A's. The best class I've taken here so far was probably Brain and Behavior, a psychology class with an excellent professor that made me want to be a psych major. I think W&L's academic requirements are very reasonable and not at all burdensome. I also find that most students really do care about learning, but some don't seem to display the thirst for knowledge that I think should characterize a student at this school. I have heard and participated in interesting intellectual conversations outside of class, like during meals. Students don't seem to compete with each other for grades but rather just with themselves, trying to always do better than they have before.

    Read all  92 answers
  6. What are the most popular student activities/groups?

    Social life was my biggest concern when I was considering W&L, because I'm not into the Greek system or the partying scene, and I don't drink. People party a lot here, and you could go out every night if you wanted to. I've found that there are a lot of other interesting things to get involved with, though, and I generally feel comfortable with my social life here. My closest friends I met either from my fall term classes or actually during orientation week, and we like to do things like going out to eat, to movies, going to athletic events on campus, and hiking. I like to go see guest speakers and go to concerts and other activities on campus as well. Even though this is a small town, I think there is enough to do to keep you busy as long as you don't write it off immediately as a boring small town. I've actually come to appreciate the relaxed pace of life in Lexington. Greek life is a huge deal at this school, and most people I know are involved with it. I chose not to be because regardless of what the viewbooks and tour guides may tell you, the Greek system is very exclusivist and chooses people based on how attractive and wealthy they are and for other shallow reasons, and I wanted no part in that. Actual quote from a sorority girl before rush week: "Make sure you edit all your Facebook pictures and only leave the pretty ones so you have the best chances of getting in to your sorority." I might also add that though this is not always true, the "snob" stereotype fits people involved with the Greek scene much more than it does independents, likely because of the exclusive, "secret society" ideas the system promotes. Girls join the system through rush week, which is characterized by silly rules which tear down the sense of school community (i.e., freshmen girls cannot speak to upperclassmen that week unless they are wearing a pink scarf or some other identifying object, and you can't discuss sororities or even tell anyone which one you want to join). Even if you are not rushing, people make you observe these "rules," which are far better suited to a junior high clique than a prestigious university. For guys, joining a fraternity means eight weeks of "pledgeship," which is a politically correct word for "hazing." Don't be fooled by the anti-hazing policies--they aren't adhered to. The university also allows the Greek system to hold far too much power at this school and turns a blind eye to these serious issues. We say we value honor and character so highly, but what is honorable about hazing a freshman? We say we are a school of multitudinous opportunities, but yet the sororities are tremendously exclusive and use a lot of slick and polished excuses to limit the opportunities of others. I think it's high time that someone exposed this flagrant hypocrisy. Yet most people are afraid to do so because the Greek system has been allowed to become practically sacred here. It doesn't deserve that position. I could practically write a book about this situation, but that should give you some idea of the real deal.

    Read all  86 answers
  7. Describe the students at your school.

    Inteligent students from a wealthy background, who desire to make lots and lots of money later in life.

    Read all  85 answers
  8. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    Washington and Lee University is an excellent educational experience for the comitted and intelligent student. Be prepared to spend five hours a day outside of class on schoolwork on a regular weekday, and more when preparing for tests. The social life is unparalelled, with a highly involved Southern greek scene that you will find nowhere else in the United States. The alumni are comitted to the university and its students, and have no problem either helping you find a job after college or sitting on the porch reminicing upon their days at Washington and Lee.

    Read all  57 answers
  9. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    Prepare yourself for the real world. While it may seem like you are in a social bubble at college and it may seem like everybody there is a happy student who wants to make new friends, there WILL be people who will hurt you. People will make decisions that could adversely affect you for the rest of your life. There may not be a way to prevent this but at least know coming in that this could occur and mentally prepare yourself for dealing with people who aren't necessarily looking out for you. Within three months of attending school I was raped. It was not my fault and looking back I cannot see a way to prevent it. That being said, I didn't realize that someone who I considered to be my best friend would be capable of this type of action. You have to open your eyes and realize that not everyone in this world is good and they do not all have good motives. The people closest to you are the ones that are capable of hurting you the most.

    Read all  27 answers
  10. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    An amazing, vibrant, exciting place where you attain an excellent education.

    Read all  14 answers
  11. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    Mostly I tell my friends about the amazing academics: the classes are small and the professors pay attention to your individual needs.

    Read all  7 answers
  12. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    Because there are students at Washington and Lee who come from the upper classes, there is a tendency of arrogance and apathy about the student body that can make it hard to get things done. Those students do not participate in fundraisers or charity events, and usually spend most of their time focusing on their personal goals. Not that personal goals are a bad thing, but it is leading to a lack of overall school spirit.

    Read all  6 answers
  13. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    Artsy people may feel out of place at times.

    Read all  5 answers
  14. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    How huge the greek scene is. To get the full "college experience" at Washington and Lee, one HAS to join a frat or srat.

    Read all  5 answers
  15. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    Sometimes its hard to fit in. For example, since so many people on campus are involved with greek life, labels are associated with certain frats or sororities. Being a member of one will automatically cause people to make assumptions about you and your friends, family, economic status, personality, etc.

    Read all  4 answers
  16. What's unique about your campus?

    The students here are focused on school, but still know how to have a good time.

    Read all  4 answers
  17. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    Rober E. Lee was president of the university and is buried there

    Read all  4 answers
  18. What's the Greek scene like?

    W&L frats hold the "Pentathalawn Smoke-Off" to see who can produce the best BBQ.

    Read all  2 answers
  19. Tell us about the food and dining options.

    By George Cafe is a student hangout on campus.

    Read all  2 answers
  20. What is the stereotype of students at your school? Is this stereotype accurate?

    Rich, white, Republican, Greek-obsessed, Southern, snooty, alcoholics. Very accurate. Those who aren't have no friends; how sad is that?

    Read all  1 answers
  21. What kind of person should attend this school?

    You should attend Washington and Lee University if you are a motivated, intelligent, and amicable person. The Washington and Lee and Lexington community is for students of all backgrounds. It is a very intriguing area and full of fun places to go and sights to see. Students tend to come in from the upper classes of the Virginia region, but the school's diversity ensures that everyone is comfortable. So whatever your interest is and wherever you come from, you will certainly find a home at Washington and Lee.

    Read all  1 answers

Student Body

Students

48%

female

52%

male

1,830

Total Undergrad Enrollment

330

Total Grad Students

79%

Out-Of-State

18%

In-State

3%

International

Organizations

103

Student Organizations

17

Fraternities

7

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

56%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
N/A
% Asian/Pacific Islander
3%
% Black or African-American
2%
% Hispanic/Latino
4%
% White or Caucasian
83%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

60% of students attending Washington and Lee University receive some sort of financial aid. 6% were awarded federal grants. While 23% received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$48,267

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$1,800

Books and Supplies

$11,380

Room and Board

61,447

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$920
$30 - $48K
$1,789
$48 - $75K
$8,962
$75 - $110K
$18,436
$110K & UP
$34,627

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

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