Case Western vs. Washington and Lee

Comparable Facts

Compare Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH with Washington and Lee University in Lexington, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Case Western Reserve University is larger than Washington and Lee based on total student enrollment (12,475 students vs. 2,241 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Case Western Reserve University is located in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting); Washington and Lee University is in Lexington, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Case Western Reserve University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Washington and Lee University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Case Western Reserve University 9:1; Washington and Lee University 7:1.

Case Western vs. Washington and Lee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Case Western 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 Washington and Lee University than Case Western ($23,055 vs. $44,000).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Washington and Lee University are 0.4% lower than at Case Western Reserve University ($18,685 vs. $18,762).
• Washington and Lee University is 2.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Case Western (about $1,437 more per year; $68,045.00 vs. $66,608.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.2% higher at Washington and Lee than at Case Western Reserve University (about $1,437 more per year; $68,045.00 vs. $66,608.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Case Western Reserve University than at Washington and Lee University (88% vs. 64%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Washington and Lee University students is 52.6% larger than aid received by Case Western Reserve University students ($63,945 vs. $41,913).

Case Western vs. Washington and Lee Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Case Western 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 Case Western.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Case Western Reserve University (1490) is the same as at Washington and Lee (1490).
• Incoming Case Western students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 33) as students at Washington and Lee (33).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Case Western Reserve University 1430/1540; Washington and Lee University 1430/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Case Western Reserve University 32/34; Washington and Lee University 33/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Case Western - Test optional; Washington and Lee - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Case Western Jan 15, 2027; Washington and Lee Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Washington and Lee students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Case Western (3.86).
• Case Western has a higher acceptance rate (36.5%) than Washington and Lee (14%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.9% at Case Western vs. 41.2% at Washington and Lee.

Case Western vs. Washington and Lee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Case Western 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).

• Washington and Lee University's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than Case Western Reserve University's (78%).
• Graduates from Washington and Lee University earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than Case Western graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,000 vs. $84,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Washington and Lee University graduates have a $2,566 lower median loan debt than Case Western graduates ($21,500 vs. $24,066).
• Among borrowers, Washington and Lee graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Case Western graduates ($222 vs. $248).
• More Washington and Lee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Case Western students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 84%)

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.