University of Richmond vs. Washington and Lee

Deciding between University of Richmond 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.

University of Richmond
Washington and Lee University

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • University of Richmond University of Richmond, VA
  • Washington and Lee Lexington, VA
  • Setting
  • University of Richmond Midsize City
  • Washington and Lee Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • University of Richmond 3,722
  • Washington and Lee 2,241
  • Type
  • University of Richmond Private 4 Year
  • Washington and Lee Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • University of Richmond #38
  • Washington and Lee #31
  • Religious Affiliation
  • University of Richmond -
  • Washington and Lee -
  • Status
  • University of Richmond Non-profit
  • Washington and Lee Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • University of Richmond
  • Washington and Lee
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • University of Richmond $65,230
  • Washington and Lee $68,045
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • University of Richmond $65,230
  • Washington and Lee $68,045
  • Room & Board
  • University of Richmond $17,140
  • Washington and Lee $18,685
  • Average Net Price
  • University of Richmond $30,037
  • Washington and Lee $23,055
  • Average Grant Aid
  • University of Richmond $51,039
  • Washington and Lee $63,945
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • University of Richmond 56%
  • Washington and Lee 64%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • University of Richmond 16,152
  • Washington and Lee 8,213
  • Admitted
  • University of Richmond 3,585
  • Washington and Lee 1,147
  • Acceptance Rate
  • University of Richmond 22.2%
  • Washington and Lee 14%
  • Enrolled
  • University of Richmond 23.5%
  • Washington and Lee 41.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • University of Richmond 1470
  • Washington and Lee 1490
  • Typical ACT score
  • University of Richmond 34
  • Washington and Lee 33
  • Average High School GPA
  • University of Richmond 3.71
  • Washington and Lee 3.87
  • Typical High School Grades
  • University of Richmond A-
  • Washington and Lee A
  • Admissions Standards
  • University of Richmond Elite
  • Washington and Lee Exceptional
  • Applicant Competition
  • University of Richmond Very High
  • Washington and Lee Very High
  • ACT Range
  • University of Richmond 33/35
  • Washington and Lee 33/34
  • SAT Range
  • University of Richmond 1410/1530
  • Washington and Lee 1430/1540
  • Submit Test Scores
  • University of Richmond Test optional
  • Washington and Lee Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • University of Richmond Jan 1, 2027
  • Washington and Lee Jan 1, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • University of Richmond 7:1
  • Washington and Lee 7:1
  • Popular Majors
  • University of Richmond
    • Business (30%)
    • Social Sciences (17%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
    • Foreign Languages (5%)
    • Biology (5%)
  • Washington and Lee
    • Social Sciences (21%)
    • Business (19%)
    • Foreign Languages (9%)
    • History (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • University of Richmond 83%
  • Washington and Lee 91%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • University of Richmond $73,900
  • Washington and Lee $89,000
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • University of Richmond 75%
  • Washington and Lee 88%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • University of Richmond $21,148
  • Washington and Lee $21,500
  • Median Loan Payment
  • University of Richmond $218
  • Washington and Lee $222
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • University of Richmond 44%
  • Washington and Lee 50%
  • % Women
  • University of Richmond 56%
  • Washington and Lee 50%
  • Racial Diversity
  • University of Richmond High
  • Washington and Lee Very Low
  • HBCU
  • University of Richmond No
  • Washington and Lee No
  • % White
  • University of Richmond 59%
  • Washington and Lee 82%
  • % Asian
  • University of Richmond 7%
  • Washington and Lee 3%
  • % Black
  • University of Richmond 8%
  • Washington and Lee 2%
  • % Hispanic
  • University of Richmond 7%
  • Washington and Lee 3%
  • % Native American
  • University of Richmond 0%
  • Washington and Lee 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • University of Richmond 0%
  • Washington and Lee 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • University of Richmond 4%
  • Washington and Lee 3%
  • % International
  • University of Richmond 8%
  • Washington and Lee 4%
  • % Unknown Race
  • University of Richmond 6%
  • Washington and Lee 2%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • University of Richmond 12%
  • Washington and Lee 17%
  • % Out-of-State
  • University of Richmond 77%
  • Washington and Lee 74%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • University of Richmond Yes
  • Washington and Lee Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • University of Richmond No
  • Washington and Lee Yes
  • Meal Plan
  • University of Richmond Yes
  • Washington and Lee Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • University of Richmond Yes
  • Washington and Lee No
  • Daycare Facility
  • University of Richmond No
  • Washington and Lee No
  • Learn More
  • University of Richmond Details
  • Washington and Lee Details

Comparable Facts

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

University of Richmond is larger than Washington and Lee based on total student enrollment (3,722 students vs. 2,241 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Richmond is located in University of Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting); Washington and Lee University is in Lexington, VA (Distant Town setting).
  • University of Richmond 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 Richmond 7:1; Washington and Lee University 7:1.

University of Richmond vs. Washington and Lee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Richmond 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 University of Richmond ($23,055 vs. $30,037).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Richmond are 8.3% lower than at Washington and Lee University ($17,140 vs. $18,685).
  • Washington and Lee University is 4.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Richmond (about $2,815 more per year; $68,045.00 vs. $65,230.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 4.3% higher at Washington and Lee than at University of Richmond (about $2,815 more per year; $68,045.00 vs. $65,230.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Washington and Lee University than at University of Richmond (64% vs. 56%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Washington and Lee University students is 25.3% larger than aid received by University of Richmond students ($63,945 vs. $51,039).

University of Richmond vs. Washington and Lee Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Richmond 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 University of Richmond.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Washington and Lee University (1490) is 20 points higher than at University of Richmond (1470).
  • Incoming University of Richmond 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 Richmond 1410/1530; Washington and Lee University 1430/1540.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Richmond 33/35; Washington and Lee University 33/34.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Richmond - Test optional; Washington and Lee - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: University of Richmond Jan 1, 2027; 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 University of Richmond (3.71).
  • University of Richmond has a higher acceptance rate (22.2%) than Washington and Lee (14%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.5% at University of Richmond vs. 41.2% at Washington and Lee.

University of Richmond vs. Washington and Lee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Richmond 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 Richmond's (83%).
  • Graduates from Washington and Lee University earn a median of about $15,100 more per year than University of Richmond graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,000 vs. $73,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Richmond graduates have a $352 lower median loan debt than Washington and Lee graduates ($21,148 vs. $21,500).
  • Among borrowers, University of Richmond graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Washington and Lee graduates ($218 vs. $222).
  • More Washington and Lee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Richmond students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 75%)

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.