


Washington and Lee's reported graduation outcomes are high for the measured first-time undergraduate cohorts. Approximately 89% completed within four years, and 94% completed within six years. The reported first-year retention rate was 97%, meaning most students in the measured cohort returned the following fall.
These measures have different denominators and time frames. The federal-style graduation rate follows first-time, full-time degree-seeking entrants; it is not a graduation prediction for every transfer student, part-time student, or individual applicant. Retention measures continuation after the first year, not completion. Students comparing schools should use the same cohort definition and reporting year rather than treating unlike rates as directly interchangeable.
Field-level College Scorecard figures report median earnings measured one year after completion for certain Washington and Lee programs. Reported amounts include $56,231 for business administration, $51,643 for economics, and $47,231 for political science and government.
These are medians for the graduates captured by the federal earnings measure, not starting-salary offers or predictions for everyone who completes a major. The measure has coverage restrictions, and results for small programs may be suppressed. One-year earnings also say little about students in graduate school, people taking lower-paid public-service roles, or how careers develop later.
For career planning, the figures are most useful alongside information about graduate study, occupations, location, debt, and the kinds of work graduates choose. Washington and Lee offers career counseling, résumé and interview support, employer events, and alumni networking; the availability of those services should not be confused with a verified employment outcome.
Degrees
Business Administration, Management and Operations
$56,231Economics
$51,643Political Science and Government
$47,231BACHELOR’S Degree
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
Social Sciences
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Psychology
Physical Sciences
History
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs
Engineering
Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
Data last updated on November 2, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.