MHC vs. Washington and Lee

Comparable Facts

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

Mount Holyoke College is larger than Washington and Lee based on total student enrollment (2,275 students vs. 2,241 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mount Holyoke College is located in South Hadley, MA (Large Suburban setting); Washington and Lee University is in Lexington, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Mount Holyoke 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: Mount Holyoke College 9:1; Washington and Lee University 7:1.

MHC vs. Washington and Lee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MHC 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 MHC ($23,055 vs. $32,526).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Washington and Lee University are 5.1% lower than at Mount Holyoke College ($18,685 vs. $19,684).
• Washington and Lee University is 1.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than MHC (about $1,027 more per year; $68,045.00 vs. $67,018.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.5% higher at Washington and Lee than at Mount Holyoke College (about $1,027 more per year; $68,045.00 vs. $67,018.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount Holyoke College than at Washington and Lee University (77% vs. 64%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Washington and Lee University students is 22% larger than aid received by Mount Holyoke College students ($63,945 vs. $52,418).

MHC vs. Washington and Lee Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MHC 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 MHC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Washington and Lee University (1490) is 30 points higher than at MHC (1460).
• Incoming MHC 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: Mount Holyoke College 1380/1530; Washington and Lee University 1430/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount Holyoke College 32/35; Washington and Lee University 33/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MHC - Test optional; Washington and Lee - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MHC Jan 15, 2027; Washington and Lee Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman MHC students have the same average high school GPA (3.87) as students at Washington and Lee (3.87).
• MHC has a higher acceptance rate (36%) than Washington and Lee (14%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at MHC vs. 41.2% at Washington and Lee.

MHC vs. Washington and Lee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MHC 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 Mount Holyoke College's (85%).
• Graduates from Washington and Lee University earn a median of about $39,000 more per year than MHC graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,000 vs. $50,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mount Holyoke College graduates have a $294 lower median loan debt than Washington and Lee graduates ($21,206 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, MHC graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Washington and Lee graduates ($219 vs. $222).
• More Washington and Lee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MHC 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.