Princeton vs. Washington and Lee

Comparable Facts

Compare Princeton University in Princeton, NJ with Washington and Lee University in Lexington, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Princeton University is larger than Washington and Lee based on total student enrollment (9,137 students vs. 2,241 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Princeton University is located in Princeton, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Washington and Lee University is in Lexington, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Princeton 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: Princeton University 5:1; Washington and Lee University 7:1.

Princeton vs. Washington and Lee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Princeton 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 Princeton University than Washington and Lee ($15,313 vs. $23,055).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Washington and Lee University are 7.7% lower than at Princeton University ($18,685 vs. $20,250).
• Washington and Lee University is 8.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Princeton (about $5,357 more per year; $68,045.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.5% higher at Washington and Lee than at Princeton University (about $5,357 more per year; $68,045.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Princeton University than at Washington and Lee University (67% vs. 64%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Princeton University students is 7.5% larger than aid received by Washington and Lee University students ($68,727 vs. $63,945).

Princeton vs. Washington and Lee Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Princeton 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 Princeton.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Princeton University (1550) is 60 points higher than at Washington and Lee (1490).
• Incoming Princeton students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at Washington and Lee).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Princeton University 1510/1580; Washington and Lee University 1430/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Princeton University 34/35; Washington and Lee University 33/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Princeton - Test optional; Washington and Lee - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Princeton Jan 1, 2027; Washington and Lee Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Princeton students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.93) than students at Washington and Lee (3.87).
• Washington and Lee has a higher acceptance rate (14%) than Princeton (4.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 75.5% at Princeton vs. 41.2% at Washington and Lee.

Princeton vs. Washington and Lee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Princeton 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).

• Princeton University's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Washington and Lee University's (91%).
• Graduates from Princeton University earn a median of about $24,900 more per year than Washington and Lee graduates about ten years after starting college ($113,900 vs. $89,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Princeton University graduates have a $14,000 lower median loan debt than Washington and Lee graduates ($7,500 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Princeton graduates have an estimated $145 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Washington and Lee graduates ($77 vs. $222).
• More Washington and Lee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Princeton students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 83%)

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.