Mary Washington College vs. Washington and Lee

Comparable Facts

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

University of Mary Washington is larger than Washington and Lee based on total student enrollment (3,826 students vs. 2,241 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Mary Washington is located in Fredericksburg, VA (Small Suburban setting); Washington and Lee University is in Lexington, VA (Distant Town setting).
• University of Mary Washington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Washington and Lee University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Mary Washington 13:1; Washington and Lee University 7:1.

Mary Washington College vs. Washington and Lee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mary Washington College 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 University of Mary Washington than Washington and Lee ($21,800 vs. $23,055).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Mary Washington are 23.7% lower than at Washington and Lee University ($14,250 vs. $18,685).
• Washington and Lee University is 364.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mary Washington College (about $53,405 more per year; $68,045.00 vs. $14,640.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 146.9% higher at Washington and Lee than at University of Mary Washington (about $40,485 more per year; $68,045.00 vs. $27,560.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Mary Washington than at Washington and Lee University (99% vs. 64%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Washington and Lee University students is 509.5% larger than aid received by University of Mary Washington students ($63,945 vs. $10,491).

Mary Washington College vs. Washington and Lee Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mary Washington College 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 Mary Washington College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Washington and Lee University (1490) is 220 points higher than at Mary Washington College (1270).
• Incoming Washington and Lee students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 29 at Mary Washington College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Mary Washington 1170/1370; Washington and Lee University 1430/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Mary Washington 27/31; Washington and Lee University 33/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mary Washington College - 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 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Mary Washington College (3.71).
• Mary Washington College has a higher acceptance rate (79.8%) than Washington and Lee (14%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.7% at Mary Washington College vs. 41.2% at Washington and Lee.

Mary Washington College vs. Washington and Lee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mary Washington College 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 University of Mary Washington's (71%).
• Graduates from Washington and Lee University earn a median of about $33,500 more per year than Mary Washington College graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,000 vs. $55,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Washington and Lee University and Mary Washington College graduates have the same median loan debt ($21,500 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Washington and Lee University and Mary Washington College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($222 vs. $222).
• More Washington and Lee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mary Washington College students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 80%)

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.