Virginia · College profile

Washington and Lee University: SAT & ACT Scores, Acceptance Rate and Costs

Washington and Lee University is a private nonprofit four-year university in Lexington, Virginia, enrolling about 1,881 undergraduates. It admits roughly 14% of applicants, which makes it highly selective relative to four-year colleges nationally.

Washington and Lee University campus
Photo: Artaxerxes · CC BY-SA 4.0

SAT and ACT scores at Washington and Lee University

MeasureScore
SAT 25th percentile1430
SAT 75th percentile1540
SAT midpoint (estimated)1480
ACT 25th percentile33
ACT 75th percentile34
ACT midpoint (estimated)34

A quarter of enrolled students scored below 1430 and a quarter scored above 1540. Treat 1540 as the target that makes your score a clear strength in this applicant pool, and 1430 as the point below which the rest of your application has to carry more weight.

The two ranges describe the same class, so submit whichever test places you higher in its own range — an ACT 34 and an SAT 1540 are read as equivalent here.

Admissions and selectivity

MeasureValue
Acceptance rate14.0%
Undergraduate enrollment1,881
Student–faculty ratio7:1
SettingTown
ControlPrivate Nonprofit

Cost and financial aid

MeasureAmount
In-state tuition and fees$68,045
Out-of-state tuition and fees$68,045
Room and board$18,685
Average net price (first-year students)$23,781
Students receiving Pell grants11.3%
Students taking federal loans14.5%
Median federal loan debt at graduation$16,617

Net price is the number that matters: $23,781 is what a typical first-year student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the sticker price. Run the college's own net price calculator with your family's numbers before ruling it out on cost.

Graduation and earnings outcomes

MeasureValue
Graduation rate (6-year)93.9%
First-year retention96.6%
Median earnings 10 years after entry$94,810
Students who are first-generationNot reported

Most popular majors

Shares are of bachelor's degrees awarded, so a concentrated list usually signals a college known for those programs.

How your score compares

Take a free adaptive practice test on FunSAT, get an unofficial score estimate, and see exactly where you land inside Washington and Lee University's reported range alongside the rest of your college list.

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Frequently asked questions

What SAT score do you need for Washington and Lee University?

The middle 50% of enrolled students at Washington and Lee University scored between 1430 and 1540 on the SAT. A score at or above 1540 puts you in the top quarter of admitted students; below 1430 the rest of your application carries more weight.

What ACT score do you need for Washington and Lee University?

The middle 50% ACT range at Washington and Lee University is 33 to 34. Aim for 34 to make the score a clear strength.

What is the acceptance rate at Washington and Lee University?

Washington and Lee University admits about 14.0% of applicants according to the most recent U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard data.

How much does Washington and Lee University cost?

Published tuition and fees are $68,045 in-state and $68,045 out-of-state, but the average first-year student pays a net price of $23,781 after grant aid.

Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, Most-Recent-Cohorts-Institution. May 2026 release (file published 2026-05-26). Score ranges and costs are reported by the institution to the U.S. Department of Education and can lag the current admissions cycle by a year or more.

FunSAT is a free browser-based SAT and ACT prep app: digital SAT and ACT practice tests, unofficial score calculators, a built-in graphing calculator, college admissions chances from official U.S. Department of Education data, and a scholarship search. Start free practice →