- Acceptance rate: 14% for fall 2024
- SAT, middle 50%: 710–760 reading and writing, 720–780 math
- ACT, middle 50%: 33–34 composite
- Average net price: $24,667 a year (2022–23)
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How does your GPA compare?
Don't know your GPA? Online GPA calculator
Where you standEnter your GPA
Add a test score to compare it with what Washington and Lee University reported: an acceptance rate of 14% for fall 2024 and an ACT middle 50% of 33–34.
Weighted GPAs above 4.0 can't be compared directly. Many colleges recalculate on their own scale, so use your unweighted GPA here.
A guide based on reported data, not a prediction. Washington and Lee University reviews each application.
Washington and Lee University GPA requirements
Washington and Lee University doesn't require a high school GPA from first-year applicants but considers one if it's submitted, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024.
Federal data doesn't include GPA averages, and Washington and Lee University hasn't published one we could verify, so this page doesn't list an average GPA.
Washington and Lee University acceptance rate
Washington and Lee University admitted 1,147 of 8,213 first-year applicants for fall 2024, an acceptance rate of 14%, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Washington and Lee University is a private nonprofit 4-year university in Lexington, Virginia, with 1,886 undergraduates.
SAT and ACT scores
Scores of the first-year students who entered Washington and Lee University in fall 2024 and submitted them. Half of them scored between the 25th and 75th percentiles:
| Test | 25th percentile | Median | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading and Writing | 710 | 730 | 760 |
| SAT Math | 720 | 750 | 780 |
| ACT Composite | 33 | 34 | 34 |
| ACT English | 34 | 35 | 35 |
| ACT Math | 30 | 32 | 34 |
The U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard estimates an average SAT score of 1498 for admitted students.
Admission requirements
What Washington and Lee University looks at when it decides on first-year applicants, as it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024:
| Admission factor | Status |
|---|---|
| High School RecordYour transcript: the courses you took and the grades you earned. | Required |
| College Preparatory ProgramCompletion of a college preparatory curriculum in high school. | Required |
| RecommendationsLetters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, or other mentors. | Required |
| High School GPAYour cumulative high school grade point average. | Considered if submitted |
| High School Class RankYour ranking relative to other students in your graduating class. | Considered if submitted |
| Essay or Personal StatementA personal statement or essay written for your application. | Considered if submitted |
| Test ScoresSAT or ACT scores. | Considered if submitted |
| Other TestsOther admission tests, such as the Wonderlic or WISC-III. | Considered if submitted |
| Demonstration of CompetenciesEvidence of specific skills through portfolios, auditions, or other demonstrations. | Considered if submitted |
| Work ExperiencePaid or volunteer work. | Considered if submitted |
| Legacy StatusWhether a parent or other relative attended the college. | Considered if submitted |
AP credit
Washington and Lee University awards college credit for Advanced Placement (AP) exams, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for 2024–25. The college decides which exams and scores earn credit.
It doesn't award credit for life experience.
Average net price
First-time, full-time undergraduates who received grant or scholarship aid paid an average net price of $24,667 a year at Washington and Lee University in 2022–23, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
Net price is the full cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships.
Frequently asked questions
How selective is Washington and Lee University?
Highly selective: fewer than 1 in 4 applicants got in. Washington and Lee University admitted 14% of first-year applicants for fall 2024.
Is Washington and Lee University test optional?
Yes. Washington and Lee University considers SAT or ACT scores if you send them, as it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024. Of its fall 2024 first-year students, 24% sent SAT scores and 20% sent ACT scores.
How important is GPA for getting into Washington and Lee University?
It's one factor among several: Washington and Lee University requires high school record, college preparatory program and recommendations. It considers high school GPA, high school class rank, essay or personal statement, test scores, other tests, demonstration of competencies, work experience and legacy status if you send them. That's what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024.
What GPA do you need to get into Washington and Lee University?
Washington and Lee University doesn't require a high school GPA but considers one if submitted, according to its filing with the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024. It hasn't published an average GPA we could verify, so we don't list one.
Can I get into Washington and Lee University with a 3.5 GPA?
GPA alone can't tell you here. Washington and Lee University admitted 14% of first-year applicants for fall 2024. It considers a high school GPA but hasn't published an average we could verify, so there's no admitted-student GPA to compare a 3.5 against. Your transcript and test scores are the clearer guide.
How many applicants get into Washington and Lee University?
Washington and Lee University's acceptance rate was 14% for fall 2024: it admitted 1,147 of 8,213 first-year applicants, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
What SAT and ACT scores do Washington and Lee University students have?
The middle 50% of Washington and Lee University's fall 2024 first-year students who sent scores had SAT 710–760 in reading and writing and 720–780 in math; ACT composite 33–34, according to what the college reported to the U.S. Department of Education. A quarter scored below that range.
Does Washington and Lee University give credit for AP exams?
Yes. Washington and Lee University awards college credit for Advanced Placement (AP) exams, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for 2024–25. The college decides which exams and scores earn credit.
Does Washington and Lee University consider legacy status?
Yes. Washington and Lee University considers whether a parent or other relative attended, though it isn't required, it said in its report to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024.
What is the average net price at Washington and Lee University?
First-time, full-time undergraduates who received grant or scholarship aid paid an average of $24,667 a year at Washington and Lee University in 2022–23, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships.
Before you apply, check Washington and Lee University's official admissions site: requirements can differ by program and change from year to year.
Sources
- College Navigator: Washington and Lee UniversityU.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS (2024–25 provisional data): admissions, test scores and admission factors for fall 2024, undergraduate enrollment for fall 2024, net price for 2022–23 and credit policies for 2024–25.
- College Scorecard dataAverage SAT: an estimate by the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (June 10, 2026 release).
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