Davidson vs. Washington and Lee

Comparable Facts

Compare Davidson College in Davidson, NC 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 Davidson based on total student enrollment (2,241 students vs. 1,869 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Davidson College is located in Davidson, NC (Large Suburban setting); Washington and Lee University is in Lexington, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Davidson 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: Davidson College 8:1; Washington and Lee University 7:1.

Davidson vs. Washington and Lee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Davidson 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 Davidson ($23,055 vs. $27,720).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Davidson College are 8.5% lower than at Washington and Lee University ($17,100 vs. $18,685).
• Washington and Lee University is 5.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Davidson (about $3,635 more per year; $68,045.00 vs. $64,410.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.6% higher at Washington and Lee than at Davidson College (about $3,635 more per year; $68,045.00 vs. $64,410.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Davidson College than at Washington and Lee University (65% vs. 64%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Washington and Lee University students is 23.6% larger than aid received by Davidson College students ($63,945 vs. $51,755).

Davidson vs. Washington and Lee Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Davidson 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 Davidson.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Washington and Lee University (1490) is 20 points higher than at Davidson (1470).
• Incoming Washington and Lee students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 32 at Davidson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Davidson College 1400/1530; Washington and Lee University 1430/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Davidson College 31/34; Washington and Lee University 33/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Davidson - Test optional; Washington and Lee - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Davidson Jan 7, 2027; Washington and Lee Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Washington and Lee students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Davidson (3.81).
• Washington and Lee has a higher acceptance rate (14%) than Davidson (13.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47.9% at Davidson vs. 41.2% at Washington and Lee.

Davidson vs. Washington and Lee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Davidson 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).

• Davidson College's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Washington and Lee University's (91%).
• Graduates from Washington and Lee University earn a median of about $25,500 more per year than Davidson graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,000 vs. $63,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Davidson College graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than Washington and Lee graduates ($17,000 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Davidson graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Washington and Lee graduates ($175 vs. $222).
• More Davidson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Washington and Lee students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 88%)

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.