Washington and Lee University
What Washington and Lee University's own numbers say, from its Common Data Set 2025-26.
See your odds at Washington and Lee University →All 7 insights at Washington and Lee University PRO
InternationalWashington and Lee University
International applicants face 7.6× tougher odds at Washington and Lee University.
1.8% of international applicants are admitted, against 14% overall.
Overall14%
International1.8%
Source: Washington and Lee University's Common Data Set 2025-26
Early DecisionWashington and Lee University
Washington and Lee University's ED number is inflated.
28% of Early Decision applicants get in, but that pool includes recruited athletes and legacies, admitted at far higher rates. Without them, our estimate is about 22%. Everyone else: 12%.
ED, as reported28%
ED, without hooks (estimate)≈22%
Everyone else12%
Source: Washington and Lee University's Common Data Set 2025-26; hooked share is an estimate (A12)
Getting harderWashington and Lee University
Getting into Washington and Lee University is 1.4× harder than in 2019.
The admit rate fell from 19% (2019-20) to 14% (2025-26).
2019-2019%
2025-2614%
Source: Washington and Lee University's Common Data Set 2025-26
WaitlistWashington and Lee University
Washington and Lee University's waitlist is a long shot: 0.3%.
2 of 604 students who stayed on the list got in.
Admitted off the list0.3%
Not admitted100%
Source: Washington and Lee University's Common Data Set 2025-26
MoneyWashington and Lee University
Washington and Lee University meets 100% of need.
The average need-based grant is $71,985 a year, against tuition of $73,575.
Average grant$72k
Tuition$74k
Source: Washington and Lee University's Common Data Set 2025-26
Early DecisionWashington and Lee University
58% of Washington and Lee University's class is filled in Early Decision.
That leaves about 210 seats for 7,915 applicants outside ED.
Admitted Early Decision58%
Everyone else42%
Source: Washington and Lee University's Common Data Set 2025-26
ApplicationsWashington and Lee University
Applications to Washington and Lee University are up 53%.
From 5,855 in 2018-19 to 8,963 in 2025-26.
2018-195,855
2025-268,963
Source: Washington and Lee University's Common Data Set 2025-26
10 more things the data says PRO
- 54% of applicants applied without a test score, but only about 35% of the class enrolled without one.
- The share of international students in the first-year class has risen from 5% to 9% since 2019-20, about 0.8 points a year.
- After ED, 210 of 499 seats were left for 7,915 other applicants: about one seat for every 38.
- The admit rate has moved down steadily, from 18.6% in 2019-20 to 13.5% in 2025-26. If the trend holds, expect about 12.3% in 2026-27.
- 604 students stayed on the waitlist and 2 were admitted from it (0.3%).
- ED applicants were admitted at 28%, against 11.7% for everyone else: 2.4 times the rate.
- Early Decision filled about 58% of the 2025-26 first-year class, less than most similar colleges.
- It reports meeting 100% of financial need for first-years who have need.
- Only 30% of enrolled first-years sent an SAT score, so its SAT range describes a minority of the class.
- Applications rose 53% from 2018-19 to 2025-26 (5,855 to 8,963), faster than 68% of colleges here.
What students say PRO
From students' own posts on Reddit and admissions forums: self-reported, unverified, never used in your odds.
- Admits aiming at politics or government usually had a clear spike: Model UN or debate leadership, campaign or government internships, or founding a civic group.
- Most admits held top roles, such as president, captain or founder, of clubs or teams (Model UN, coding, math, mock trial, student council).
- Admits aiming at computing or STEM often had built something, like an app or nonprofit website, or had research or internships.
- Among admits who named a round, most applied Regular Decision (4 of 5) and one applied Early Decision II; test scores shared ran from about 1310 to 1570.
- Students report the waitlist rarely turns into admission: roughly 2 to 67 students came off it in recent years, and under 3% of those accepting a spot got in.
- Students report W&L is need-blind and meets full need, and about 10% of each class gets the Johnson full-ride scholarship.
- Students report CSS Profile fee waivers are limited and denials can't be appealed; aid requests do not affect admission.
- International students report mixed aid outcomes, from full-ride and generous offers to a package well below what the family could pay.
- Students report the class of 2029 admit rate was about 13.6% and that W&L swings between over- and under-enrolling.
Every number, year by year: Washington and Lee University on Open College Data.