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Colleges / Washington and Lee University

Washington and Lee University

Lexington, VA 4-Year Private
Acceptance Rate17%

Washington and Lee Tuition Information

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at Washington and Lee was $63,315 a year.

In 2023, tuition increased 4.5%–from $60,590 the previous year. On average, college tuition goes up about 3% every year.

If this makes attending the college of your dreams sound impossible, remember, the "sticker price" of tuition doesn't give you all the info you need to know how much you will actually have to pay for college. Many students find the actual cost of college is much less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts kick in. And, student loans can make thecost of college feel more doable until you're done with college.

Washington and Lee University meets 100% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student at Washington and Lee University is around $67,330 a year.

Graduates in the class of 2023 had an average of $21,269 in student loans per borrower.

Washington and Lee University: In-state vs. Out-of-State Tuition

Washington and Lee University is a private, nonprofit institution, which means it has the same tuition for students from Virginia as it does for residents from other states.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. These institutions offer a lower cost of attendance for students who are residents of that state.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state residency can cut the cost of college tuition. Don't forget to confirm your state's guidelines for how to qualify for in-state tuition. Each state has different requirements to qualify as in-state resident. The most common requirement is that students must have lived in the state for a full year before starting school. There may be additional requirements too, depending on the state you and your parents currently live in.

Explore other Virginia colleges

Is Washington and Lee University's Tuition Different for International Students?

Tuition at Washington and Lee University is the same for all students.

International students usually do not qualify for for federal financial aid, but should research private or school-specific aid and scholarships. International students with need may be eligible for the following types of financial support at Washington and Lee University:

•On-campus jobs •Loans from outsideWashington and Lee University •Washington and Lee University-specific loans •Washington and Lee University-specific scholarships

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships.


Washington and Lee University Room, Board, Fees, and More


In addition to tuition, there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Washington and Lee University.

House and Food Costs at Washington and Lee University

Room and board at Washington and Lee University costs $17,685 a year. This covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, and a meal plan that enables you to eat in the Washington and Lee University's on-campus cafeterias and dining facilities.

Board costs can depend on the number of meals you intend to eat on-campus

Cost of Books at Washington and Lee University

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The real cost of books and supplies depends on the courses you take and the materials required. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Yearly Fees

The majority of colleges also have fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

There may be optional fees associated with participating in certain activities, like Greek Life, or playing on an intramural sports team. Many schools have resources for students with demonstrated need to find ways to lower or eliminate these fees.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Transportation costs at Washington and Lee University

The cost of transportation in college can really vary. Will you take a subway, car or an airplane to get to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus small enough that you can easily walk from class-to-class?? Do you plan to bring a car or will you need to use busses, subways, or other modes of transportation? All of these factors can make a big difference in your estimated cost of transportation. At Washington and Lee University, freshman are allowed to park on campus.

A school's location can also have a big effect on transportation costs. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the other hand getting around in an urban area can be pricey, but there may be more trains, busses or low-cost flight options to actually get to school. The Washington and Lee University campus is in a town in Virginia.

Other Costs

When estimating your budget for college, be sure to factor in personal expenses, like entertainment, clothes, furnishings and toiletries.


The Full Cost of Attending Washington and Lee University


Now, let’s do a rundown of all of the costs associated with college, to get a better idea of how much students can expect to shell out for Washington and Lee University.

How Much Does Washington and Lee University Cost?

What will the cost of attending Washington and Lee University be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
Tuition $63,315
Room and Board $17,685
Other expenses $2,500

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Total Estimated Costs
On-Campus $84,710
Off-Campus $64,525

The breakdowns above provide a good estimate of the total cost of attendance before financial aid and scholarships. Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.


Financial Aid at Washington and Lee University


In 2023, 884 of the 1,867 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Washington and Lee University meets 100% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $67,330 a year. Around 32% of Washington and Lee University undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Washington and Lee University graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $21,269 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans $15,169
Washington and Lee University-Specific Loans $20,406
Private Loans $36,199
Most Common Loans for Washington and Lee University Students
Federal Loans 29%
Institutional Loans 7%
Private loans 3%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Washington and Lee University financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Washington and Lee University

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, Washington and Lee University awarded 883 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $51.9 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $12.16 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Washington and Lee University Net Cost

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Washington and Lee University students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Washington and Lee University was $67,330 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Washington and Lee University seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
On-Campus $17,380
Off-Campus $-2,805

Note: a negative number can indicate that a refund will be given to use toward other expenses such as housing, fees, and books. In such cases, be sure to reach out to the school directly for any clarification or questions.

What will attending Washington and Lee University really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families make more informed decisions about the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Washington and Lee University's net cost calculator on their website.

Washington and Lee University Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Washington and Lee University does not have guaranteed tuition.

Washington and Lee University offers an Installment Payment Plan, which allows students to pay tuition in a series of smaller chunks instead of one lump sum.

Washington and Lee Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes waiver tuition for certain groups, to reduce the total cost of attendance. Some schools offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

Washington and Lee has some full or partial tuition waivers available for: - Employees or Children of Employees

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

Washington and Lee University's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

As of 2022, the total market value of Washington and Lee University's endowment was $1.361 billion. The average college endowment was $905 million in 2021.


Learn More About Washington and Lee University


Click below to find out more about the admissions requirements and deadlines, student life, academics, majors and more.

Overview

Student Life

Academics

Admissions

See what others are saying about Washington and Lee University in the College Confidential forums

Washington and Lee Tuition & Fees

Tuition & Fees

$82,210

In State

$82,210

Out-of-State
Cost Breakdown
In State
Out-of-State
State Tuition
$63,315
$63,315
Fees
$1,210
$1,210
Housing
$17,685
$17,685
Books
Unknown
Unknown

Washington and Lee Financial Aid

Students Who Receive Need-Based Aid

47%

Average Financial Aid Package

$65,841

Data Source: IPEDs and Peterson's Databases © 2022 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved

Quick Facts

Total Enrollment

2,243

Campus Setting

Small Town

Acceptance Rate

17%

Tuition and Fees

In State

$64,525

Out-of-State

$64,525

Fall Freshmen
Application Deadline

Jan 1
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