CostByCollegeAdmissions
Washington and Lee University acceptance rate
The acceptance rate at Washington and Lee University is 17.4% for fall 2023. Out of 6,820 applicants, 1,184 were admitted and 502 enrolled.
The application numbers
| Figure | Fall 2023 |
|---|---|
| Applicants, fall 2023 | 6,820 |
| Admitted, fall 2023 | 1,184 |
| Acceptance rate, fall 2023 | 17.4% |
| Admitted students who enrolled, fall 2023 | 502 |
How this rate compares
Against the Virginia pilot school average of 61.2%, the rate at Washington and Lee University is 43.8 points lower, which means a smaller share of applicants were admitted.
Against the national pilot school average of 53.0%, the rate at Washington and Lee University is 35.6 points lower, which means a smaller share of applicants were admitted.
Averages here are simple averages across the pilot schools that publish a rate, 9 schools in Virginia and 235 schools nationwide on this site.
What the acceptance rate does and does not mean
The acceptance rate is the share of applicants who were offered a place. It is worked out by dividing the number of students admitted by the number who applied, for fall 2023.
A low rate means many more people applied than the school could admit. It does not by itself prove that a school is better, that teaching is stronger, or that graduates earn more. Some schools draw very large applicant pools because applying is free or simple, and some excellent schools admit a large share of a smaller, well matched pool.
A high rate does not mean admission is automatic. Schools still set entry requirements, and popular programs inside a school can be far harder to enter than the overall rate suggests. The rate also says nothing about cost. Read it beside the total cost, the average net price, and the outcomes on the cost page for Washington and Lee University.
Similar schools to compare
- Liberty University, Lynchburg, Virginia. Total cost $42,680 for one year.
- Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia. Total cost $39,967 for one year.
- University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia. Total cost $39,926 for one year.
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia. Total cost $37,252 for one year.
- George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia. Total cost $33,748 for one year.
Frequently asked questions
What is the acceptance rate at Washington and Lee University?
The acceptance rate at Washington and Lee University is 17.4% for fall 2023. It is the number admitted, 1,184, divided by the number who applied, 6,820.
How many students apply to Washington and Lee University each year?
In fall 2023, 6,820 students applied to Washington and Lee University, 1,184 were admitted, and 502 admitted students enrolled.
How selective is Washington and Lee University compared with other schools in Virginia?
The average acceptance rate across the pilot schools in Virginia that publish a rate is 61.2%, and the national average across the pilot schools on this site is 53.0%. The rate at Washington and Lee University is 17.4%.
Does a low acceptance rate mean a school is better?
No. A low rate means far more people applied than the school could admit. It says nothing on its own about teaching quality, cost, or graduate earnings, which is why this site prints the rate beside cost and outcomes figures.
How much does Washington and Lee University cost?
The total cost for one year at Washington and Lee University is $87,000 for in state students. The cost page on this site breaks that total into tuition, fees, books and supplies, room and board, and other expenses.
What is the graduation rate at Washington and Lee University?
The graduation rate at Washington and Lee University is 95%, measuring the share of a starting cohort that finished within one and a half times the normal program length.
Sources: the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, United States Department of Education. Admissions figures are for fall 2023. See the methodology page for full detail.