Notre Dame vs. Washington and Lee

Comparable Facts

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

University of Notre Dame is larger than Washington and Lee based on total student enrollment (13,042 students vs. 2,241 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Notre Dame is located in Notre Dame, IN (Rural Fringe setting); Washington and Lee University is in Lexington, VA (Distant Town setting).
• University of Notre Dame is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Washington and Lee University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Notre Dame 8:1; Washington and Lee University 7:1.

Notre Dame vs. Washington and Lee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Notre Dame 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 Notre Dame ($23,055 vs. $29,300).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Notre Dame are 4.2% lower than at Washington and Lee University ($17,900 vs. $18,685).
• Washington and Lee University is 4.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Notre Dame (about $3,020 more per year; $68,045.00 vs. $65,025.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.6% higher at Washington and Lee than at University of Notre Dame (about $3,020 more per year; $68,045.00 vs. $65,025.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Washington and Lee University than at University of Notre Dame (64% vs. 61%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Washington and Lee University students is 18.5% larger than aid received by University of Notre Dame students ($63,945 vs. $53,971).

Notre Dame vs. Washington and Lee Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Notre Dame 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 Notre Dame .

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Notre Dame (1510) is 20 points higher than at Washington and Lee (1490).
• Incoming Notre Dame 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: University of Notre Dame 1455/1560; Washington and Lee University 1430/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Notre Dame 33/35; Washington and Lee University 33/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Notre Dame - Test optional; Washington and Lee - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Notre Dame Jan 1, 2027; Washington and Lee Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Notre Dame students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Washington and Lee (3.87).
• Washington and Lee has a higher acceptance rate (14%) than Notre Dame (11.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.7% at Notre Dame vs. 41.2% at Washington and Lee.

Notre Dame vs. Washington and Lee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Notre Dame 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).

• University of Notre Dame's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Washington and Lee University's (91%).
• Graduates from University of Notre Dame earn a median of about $800 more per year than Washington and Lee graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,800 vs. $89,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Washington and Lee University and Notre Dame graduates have the same median loan debt ($21,500 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Washington and Lee University and Notre Dame graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($222 vs. $222).
• More Notre Dame graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Washington and Lee students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.