Amherst vs. Washington and Lee

Comparable Facts

Compare Amherst College in Amherst, MA with Washington and Lee University in Lexington, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Washington and Lee University is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (2,241 students vs. 1,914 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Washington and Lee University is in Lexington, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Washington and Lee University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; Washington and Lee University 7:1.

Amherst vs. Washington and Lee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Amherst or Washington and Lee? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Amherst College than Washington and Lee ($19,049 vs. $23,055).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Amherst College are 1.6% lower than at Washington and Lee University ($18,390 vs. $18,685).
• Amherst College is 3.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Washington and Lee (about $2,435 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $68,045.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.6% higher at Amherst than at Washington and Lee University (about $2,435 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $68,045.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Washington and Lee University than at Amherst College (64% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 7.3% larger than aid received by Washington and Lee University students ($68,591 vs. $63,945).

Amherst vs. Washington and Lee Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Amherst or Washington and Lee? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Washington and Lee and Amherst.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Amherst College (1540) is 50 points higher than at Washington and Lee (1490).
• Incoming Amherst students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at Washington and Lee).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 1490/1580; Washington and Lee University 1430/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 33/35; Washington and Lee University 33/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Amherst - Test optional; Washington and Lee - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Washington and Lee Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Amherst students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Washington and Lee (3.87).
• Washington and Lee has a higher acceptance rate (14%) than Amherst (9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 41.2% at Washington and Lee.

Amherst vs. Washington and Lee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Amherst and Washington and Lee? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Amherst College's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Washington and Lee University's (91%).
• Graduates from Washington and Lee University earn a median of about $7,000 more per year than Amherst graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,000 vs. $82,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $8,525 lower median loan debt than Washington and Lee graduates ($12,975 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $88 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Washington and Lee graduates ($134 vs. $222).
• More Washington and Lee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Amherst students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 83%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.