More selective than 98% of Virginia colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
27% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 25% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose Washington and Lee University over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
GPA and test scores of entering students
The middle 50% of first-time students who enrolled at Washington and Lee University, as the state reports them, including high school GPA (federal data has no GPA).
| Entering | GPA | SAT | ACT | CLT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2026 | — | 1420–1530 | 32–35 | — |
| Fall 2025 | — | 1430–1530 | 33–34 | — |
State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV), B10 Admissions: First Time Freshman Profile, 2026-27. Entering freshmen 489; reporting SAT 166, ACT 102, GPA NA Entering freshmen 499; reporting SAT 148, ACT 111, GPA NA
Washington and Lee University SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. Enrolled ranges differ from admitted ranges above, because not every admitted student enrolls.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 710 | 760 |
| SAT math | 720 | 780 |
| ACT composite | 33 | 34 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 1430 | 1540 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
Washington and Lee University admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 14% | 710–760 | 720–780 | 33–34 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 17% | 710–750 | 700–780 | 32–35 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is Washington and Lee University compared with other Virginia colleges?
Washington and Lee University has the 2nd-lowest acceptance rate of 41 Virginia colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Riverside College of Health Careers | 13% | 100% | $20,744 |
| 2 | Washington and Lee University | 14% | 94% | $23,781 |
| 3 | University of Virginia | 17% | 96% | $21,565 |
| 4 | University of Richmond | 22% | 85% | $31,309 |
| 5 | University of Virginia's College at Wise | 29% | 47% | $9,210 |
| 6 | William & Mary | 34% | 89% | $19,096 |
| 7 | Regent University | 38% | 57% | $19,923 |
| 8 | Hampden-Sydney College | 41% | 62% | $22,400 |
| 9 | University of Lynchburg | 43% | 57% | $22,235 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Virginia colleges →
Who enrolls at Washington and Lee University
College Scorecard; IPEDS
Washington and Lee University admissions questions
What is the Washington and Lee University acceptance rate?
Washington and Lee University accepts 14% of applicants, about 1 in 7. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 1,184 of 6,820 applicants were admitted.
Does Washington and Lee University require the SAT or ACT?
Washington and Lee University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 27% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 25% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for Washington and Lee University?
The middle 50% of Washington and Lee University enrolled first-year students scored 1430–1540 on the SAT and 33–34 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at Washington and Lee University?
42% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (502 of 1,184).
Is Washington and Lee University getting harder to get into?
Washington and Lee University accepted 14% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 17% for Fall 2023.
Is Washington and Lee University the right fit for your family?
Get a free report comparing Washington and Lee University with up to 4 other schools on what you'd actually pay, what graduates in your major earn, and how each fits your priorities.
Build my free reportCheck my chances of getting inWe never share your contact information.
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Washington and Lee University overview