Research.com
Washington and Lee University logo

Washington and Lee University

#151 in US ranking Lexington, VA
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Programs:
4 years or more

Represent this school?

Update this profile on Research.com

Washington and Lee University award
Washington and Lee University award

Cost

Cost / year
$91,700
Tuition & fees
$71,365
Avg. aid
$58,158
Receiving aid
70%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
14%
SAT range
1430–1540
ACT range
33–34

Outcomes

Graduation rate
94%
Median salary
$61,380
1 yr after graduation

What are the graduation rates for students at Washington and Lee University?

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.

What is the earning potential for graduates at Washington and Lee University?

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.

Washington and Lee University Graduation Rate

Avg. graduation
94%
4-year graduation
89%
6-year graduation
94%

Washington and Lee University Retention and Employment

First-year retention, full-time students
97%
Employed 1 year after graduation
97%

Washington and Lee University Median Alumni Salary Over Time

1 year after graduation
$61,380
4 years after graduation
$100,514
5 years after graduation
$96,366
7 years after graduation
$107,657
10 years after starting college
$102,966

Alumni Salary for Washington and Lee University Degrees

Degrees

Avg. salary

Business Administration, Management and Operations

$56,231

Economics

$51,643

Political Science and Government

$47,231

Washington and Lee University Graduations Per Degree

BACHELOR’S Degree

Women Men Total

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services

5589144

Social Sciences

373067

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

39645

Psychology

36541

Physical Sciences

91524

History

71219

Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs

9716

Engineering

51116

Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

11415

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services

31114

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.

Recently Published Articles