Wellesley vs. Washington and Lee

Comparable Facts

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

Wellesley College is larger than Washington and Lee based on total student enrollment (2,407 students vs. 2,241 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Wellesley vs. Washington and Lee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wellesley 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 Wellesley College than Washington and Lee ($22,174 vs. $23,055).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Washington and Lee University are 11.1% lower than at Wellesley College ($18,685 vs. $21,024).
• Washington and Lee University is 1.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wellesley (about $869 more per year; $68,045.00 vs. $67,176.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.3% higher at Washington and Lee than at Wellesley College (about $869 more per year; $68,045.00 vs. $67,176.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Washington and Lee University than at Wellesley College (64% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wellesley College students is 0.3% larger than aid received by Washington and Lee University students ($64,116 vs. $63,945).

Wellesley vs. Washington and Lee Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wellesley 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 Wellesley.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wellesley College (1510) is 20 points higher than at Washington and Lee (1490).
• Incoming Wellesley 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: Wellesley College 1460/1560; Washington and Lee University 1430/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wellesley College 33/35; Washington and Lee University 33/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wellesley - Test optional; Washington and Lee - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wellesley Jan 8, 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 Wellesley (3.86).
• Wellesley has a higher acceptance rate (14%) than Washington and Lee (14%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47.6% at Wellesley vs. 41.2% at Washington and Lee.

Wellesley vs. Washington and Lee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wellesley 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).

• Wellesley College's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Washington and Lee University's (91%).
• Graduates from Washington and Lee University earn a median of about $20,900 more per year than Wellesley graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,000 vs. $68,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wellesley College graduates have a $12,600 lower median loan debt than Washington and Lee graduates ($8,900 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Wellesley graduates have an estimated $130 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Washington and Lee graduates ($92 vs. $222).
• More Washington and Lee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wellesley students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 86%)

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.