Vassar vs. Washington and Lee

Comparable Facts

Compare Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY with Washington and Lee University in Lexington, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Vassar College is larger than Washington and Lee based on total student enrollment (2,462 students vs. 2,241 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Vassar College is located in Poughkeepsie, NY (Large Suburban setting); Washington and Lee University is in Lexington, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Vassar 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: Vassar College 7:1; Washington and Lee University 7:1.

Vassar vs. Washington and Lee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Vassar 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 Vassar ($23,055 vs. $29,981).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Vassar College are 2.4% lower than at Washington and Lee University ($18,240 vs. $18,685).
• Vassar College is 4.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Washington and Lee (about $2,985 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $68,045.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.4% higher at Vassar than at Washington and Lee University (about $2,985 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $68,045.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Washington and Lee University than at Vassar College (64% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Washington and Lee University students is 11.3% larger than aid received by Vassar College students ($63,945 vs. $57,443).

Vassar vs. Washington and Lee Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Vassar 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 Vassar.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Vassar College (1500) is 10 points higher than at Washington and Lee (1490).
• Incoming Vassar 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: Vassar College 1450/1550; Washington and Lee University 1430/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Vassar College 33/35; Washington and Lee University 33/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Vassar - Test optional; Washington and Lee - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Vassar Jan 1, 2027; Washington and Lee Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Washington and Lee students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Vassar (3.86).
• Vassar has a higher acceptance rate (18.6%) than Washington and Lee (14%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at Vassar vs. 41.2% at Washington and Lee.

Vassar vs. Washington and Lee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Vassar 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).

• The graduation rate at Vassar is the same as at Washington and Lee University (91% vs. 91%).
• Graduates from Washington and Lee University earn a median of about $30,600 more per year than Vassar graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,000 vs. $58,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Vassar College graduates have a $5,720 lower median loan debt than Washington and Lee graduates ($15,780 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Vassar graduates have an estimated $59 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Washington and Lee graduates ($163 vs. $222).
• More Vassar 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.