Houghton University vs. Washington and Lee

Deciding between Houghton University and Washington and Lee University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Houghton University
Washington and Lee University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Houghton University Houghton, NY
  • Washington and Lee Lexington, VA
  • Setting
  • Houghton University Remote Rural
  • Washington and Lee Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Houghton University 1,200
  • Washington and Lee 2,241
  • Type
  • Houghton University Private 4 Year
  • Washington and Lee Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Houghton University #432
  • Washington and Lee #31
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Houghton University Wesleyan
  • Washington and Lee -
  • Status
  • Houghton University Non-profit
  • Washington and Lee Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Houghton University
  • Washington and Lee
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Houghton University $18,430
  • Washington and Lee $68,045
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Houghton University $18,430
  • Washington and Lee $68,045
  • Room & Board
  • Houghton University $11,360
  • Washington and Lee $18,685
  • Average Net Price
  • Houghton University $21,274
  • Washington and Lee $23,055
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Houghton University $9,902
  • Washington and Lee $63,945
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Houghton University 100%
  • Washington and Lee 64%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Houghton University 1,041
  • Washington and Lee 8,213
  • Admitted
  • Houghton University 923
  • Washington and Lee 1,147
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Houghton University 88.7%
  • Washington and Lee 14%
  • Enrolled
  • Houghton University 23.2%
  • Washington and Lee 41.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Houghton University 1270
  • Washington and Lee 1490
  • Typical ACT score
  • Houghton University 28
  • Washington and Lee 33
  • Average High School GPA
  • Houghton University 3.25
  • Washington and Lee 3.87
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Houghton University B+
  • Washington and Lee A
  • Admissions Standards
  • Houghton University Difficult
  • Washington and Lee Exceptional
  • Applicant Competition
  • Houghton University
  • Washington and Lee Very High
  • ACT Range
  • Houghton University 26/31
  • Washington and Lee 33/34
  • SAT Range
  • Houghton University 1170/1375
  • Washington and Lee 1430/1540
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Houghton University Test optional
  • Washington and Lee Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Houghton University
  • Washington and Lee Jan 1, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Houghton University 12:1
  • Washington and Lee 7:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Houghton University
    • Business (23%)
    • Education (15%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Washington and Lee
    • Social Sciences (21%)
    • Business (19%)
    • Foreign Languages (9%)
    • History (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Houghton University 68%
  • Washington and Lee 91%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Houghton University $44,300
  • Washington and Lee $89,000
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Houghton University 77%
  • Washington and Lee 88%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Houghton University $25,500
  • Washington and Lee $21,500
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Houghton University $263
  • Washington and Lee $222
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Houghton University 41%
  • Washington and Lee 50%
  • % Women
  • Houghton University 59%
  • Washington and Lee 50%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Houghton University Low
  • Washington and Lee Very Low
  • HBCU
  • Houghton University No
  • Washington and Lee No
  • % White
  • Houghton University 78%
  • Washington and Lee 82%
  • % Asian
  • Houghton University 2%
  • Washington and Lee 3%
  • % Black
  • Houghton University 3%
  • Washington and Lee 2%
  • % Hispanic
  • Houghton University 2%
  • Washington and Lee 3%
  • % Native American
  • Houghton University 0%
  • Washington and Lee 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Houghton University 0%
  • Washington and Lee 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Houghton University 4%
  • Washington and Lee 3%
  • % International
  • Houghton University 11%
  • Washington and Lee 4%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Houghton University 1%
  • Washington and Lee 2%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Houghton University 59%
  • Washington and Lee 17%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Houghton University 33%
  • Washington and Lee 74%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Houghton University Yes
  • Washington and Lee Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Houghton University No
  • Washington and Lee Yes
  • Meal Plan
  • Houghton University Yes
  • Washington and Lee Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Houghton University No
  • Washington and Lee No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Houghton University No
  • Washington and Lee No

Comparable Facts

Compare Houghton University in Houghton, NY 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 Houghton University based on total student enrollment (2,241 students vs. 1,200 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Houghton University is located in Houghton, NY (Remote Rural setting); Washington and Lee University is in Lexington, VA (Distant Town setting).
  • Houghton 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: Houghton University 12:1; Washington and Lee University 7:1.

Houghton University vs. Washington and Lee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Houghton University 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 Houghton University than Washington and Lee ($21,274 vs. $23,055).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Houghton University are 39.2% lower than at Washington and Lee University ($11,360 vs. $18,685).
  • Washington and Lee University is 269.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Houghton University (about $49,615 more per year; $68,045.00 vs. $18,430.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 269.2% higher at Washington and Lee than at Houghton University (about $49,615 more per year; $68,045.00 vs. $18,430.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Houghton University than at Washington and Lee University (100% vs. 64%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Washington and Lee University students is 545.8% larger than aid received by Houghton University students ($63,945 vs. $9,902).

Houghton University vs. Washington and Lee Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Houghton University 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 Houghton University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Washington and Lee University (1490) is 220 points higher than at Houghton University (1270).
  • Incoming Washington and Lee students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 28 at Houghton University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Houghton University 1170/1375; Washington and Lee University 1430/1540.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Houghton University 26/31; Washington and Lee University 33/34.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Houghton University - Test optional; Washington and Lee - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Washington and Lee Jan 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Washington and Lee students have a 0.62 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Houghton University (3.25).
  • Houghton University has a higher acceptance rate (88.7%) than Washington and Lee (14%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.2% at Houghton University vs. 41.2% at Washington and Lee.

Houghton University vs. Washington and Lee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Houghton University 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 Houghton University's (68%).
  • Graduates from Washington and Lee University earn a median of about $44,700 more per year than Houghton University graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,000 vs. $44,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Washington and Lee University graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than Houghton University graduates ($21,500 vs. $25,500).
  • Among borrowers, Washington and Lee graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Houghton University graduates ($222 vs. $263).
  • More Washington and Lee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Houghton University students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 77%)

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.