William & Mary vs. Washington and Lee

Comparable Facts

Compare William & Mary in Williamsburg, VA with Washington and Lee University in Lexington, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

William & Mary is larger than Washington and Lee based on total student enrollment (9,818 students vs. 2,241 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• William & Mary is located in Williamsburg, VA (Large Suburban setting); Washington and Lee University is in Lexington, VA (Distant Town setting).
• William & Mary is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Washington and Lee University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: William & Mary 12:1; Washington and Lee University 7:1.

William & Mary vs. Washington and Lee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, William & Mary 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 William & Mary than Washington and Lee ($19,686 vs. $23,055).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at William & Mary are 13.4% lower than at Washington and Lee University ($16,182 vs. $18,685).
• Washington and Lee University is 162.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than William & Mary (about $42,131 more per year; $68,045.00 vs. $25,914.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 33.3% higher at Washington and Lee than at William & Mary (about $17,007 more per year; $68,045.00 vs. $51,038.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Washington and Lee University than at William & Mary (64% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Washington and Lee University students is 176.3% larger than aid received by William & Mary students ($63,945 vs. $23,144).

William & Mary vs. Washington and Lee Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, William & Mary 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 William & Mary.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Washington and Lee University (1490) is 20 points higher than at William & Mary (1470).
• Incoming William & Mary 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: William & Mary 1400/1530; Washington and Lee University 1430/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: William & Mary 32/34; Washington and Lee University 33/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: William & Mary - Test optional; Washington and Lee - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: William & Mary Jan 2, 2027; Washington and Lee Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Washington and Lee students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at William & Mary (3.85).
• William & Mary has a higher acceptance rate (34.1%) than Washington and Lee (14%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.6% at William & Mary vs. 41.2% at Washington and Lee.

William & Mary vs. Washington and Lee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for William & Mary 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).

• The graduation rate at William & Mary is the same as at Washington and Lee University (91% vs. 91%).
• Graduates from Washington and Lee University earn a median of about $20,300 more per year than William & Mary graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,000 vs. $68,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, William & Mary graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Washington and Lee graduates ($19,500 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, William & Mary graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Washington and Lee graduates ($201 vs. $222).
• More Washington and Lee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former William & Mary students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 85%)

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.