Washington and Lee University: A Comprehensive Overview of Rankings, Academics, and Student Life

Washington and Lee University (W&L), a private liberal arts college in Lexington, Virginia, has a rich history and a strong reputation for academic excellence. Founded in 1749, it is the ninth-oldest college in the United States. This article delves into various aspects of W&L, including its rankings, academic programs, campus culture, and student opportunities, providing a comprehensive overview for prospective students and those interested in learning more about this distinguished institution.

A Legacy of Academic Excellence

Washington and Lee University stands out for its academic excellence, commitment to affordability, and distinctive student experience. Our retention and four-year graduation rates are among the highest in the nation, and our students graduate fully prepared for professional success and lifelong intellectual and civic engagement. The heart of the academic experience at W&L lies in fostering free, creative, and humane thinking. Every student is rooted in the liberal arts and sciences through The College, while also enjoying full access to the Williams School of Commerce, Economics, and Politics-one of the only business schools embedded in a top liberal arts university.

This uncommon model means that a student of history or biology can easily take courses in accounting, finance, or entrepreneurship, while a business or economics student can deepen their perspective through philosophy, art, or the sciences. Alongside these core divisions, W&L offers pre-professional opportunities that are rarely found at a small liberal arts college: journalism and strategic communication, engineering, and education, as well as robust pre-health and pre-law pathways.

Interdisciplinary opportunities and distinctive academic centers addressing human capability, ethics in public life, entrepreneurial innovation, and the complexities of race, culture, and politics expand the ways students connect classroom learning to pressing global and societal issues. The result is an education that’s both timeless and forward-looking-flexible enough for any ambition and distinctive enough to shape graduates who lead lives of consequence.

Rankings and Recognition

The ostensible purpose of rankings is to guide students and families who are making important decisions about which college or university to attend. News and World Report pioneered the genre in the 1980s. The subsequent proliferation of rankings has bred confusion rather than enlightenment. Some publications lump together research universities and liberal arts colleges, which are fundamentally incomparable types of institution, on a single scale. Even rankings that focus on liberal arts colleges disagree with each other, sometimes dramatically, leaving readers to wonder which of them to believe. These disagreements result from the fact that publications use different criteria to evaluate schools, making it difficult to interpret the various rankings.

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Washington and Lee enjoys an outstanding reputation. We reliably fall in the top 20, and quite often in the top 10, of every reasonably credible national ranking of liberal arts colleges. Prospective students and families should use rankings only as a very rough guide to the college search process. It is worth knowing which schools are highly regarded, but rankings alone cannot tell an individual student which college or university will be the best fit in terms of location, size, character, and culture.

W&L never manages to rankings. We are guided by our mission and our values, rather than by external judgments that change frequently, conflict with each other, and often fail to measure what is most important. The heart of our educational enterprise is talented students learning from exceptional teachers in small classes. Outside the classroom, a host of dedicated employees support and mentor our students in countless ways. These academic and extra-curricular activities take place in first-rate facilities. The desire of talented students to come to Washington and Lee shows up in the number and quality of applications we receive and in the percentage of students who accept our offers of admission, which are at all-time highs. The enthusiasm of current students is reflected in our retention rate and in their expressed satisfaction and willingness to recommend W&L. The success of our students, which is a testament not only to them but also to our faculty and staff, is manifest in their graduation rate and post-graduate outcomes. We have very few peers on these critical measures.

Alumni express their appreciation for the education they received at Washington and Lee, and their desire to provide the same opportunities for current students, by volunteering for and donating to the university. Financial contributions to W&L last year were the 2nd highest in school history, and our endowment - which enhances the education of every student by covering 40% of our expenses - is the 11th largest per student among liberal arts colleges. These measures give us great confidence in the present strength and future prospects of Washington and Lee. But some of what matters most cannot be measured. We are distinguished by our Honor System and our tradition of student self-governance. We are distinguished by the Speaking Tradition and our culture of warmth and civility. And we are distinguished by the lives led by our alumni. We know the financial return on their investment in a W&L education is outstanding - a recent Georgetown University study determined that our graduates enjoy the 2nd highest net present value over the course of their careers at $1.58 million.

Rankings will continue to drift on the autumn breeze like the leaves, but they are equally ephemeral. What abides at Washington and Lee is our commitment to our mission and values.

Fluctuations in Rankings

Eyes are on where the university stands in national rankings as Early Decision II applicants receive their admissions decisions. News and World Report’s rankings on liberal arts colleges, Washington and Lee dropped from No. 11 to No. 21. Similarly, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) includes a diversity factor, which makes up 10 percent of its ranking. WSJ gave the university a diversity score of 33 out of 100, which is almost 40 points lower than any other categorical score the university received from WSJ. According to a September statement from the University President William Dudley, WSJ ranked the school as No. College Raptor does not include diversity or social mobility in its methodology and ranked the university No. Washington and Lee’s first-year retention rate also greatly impacts its academic rankings. College Raptor includes both 4-year and 6-year graduation rates as a total of 32 percent.

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Another important aspect of these rankings is success, which is defined differently by each source. News uses peer assessment. The assessment asks university presidents to rank the quality of up to 200 other schools on a 5-point scale, Price said. It is worth noting that different publications use different criteria, leading to varying results. For example:

U.S. News & World Report: In recent years, U.S. News & World Report changed its criteria significantly. And with just three points (out of 100) separating #11 and #21, even small changes in methodology create large fluctuations in the ranking. News eliminated small class size and deemphasized graduation rate - two key measures of educational quality on which we ranked #1 among our peers last year. News also increased the weight it places on the percentage of low-income students at each school. W&L made socio-economic diversity an explicit priority in our 2018 strategic plan. News relies upon old data, counting the Pell recipients who arrived on campus from 2013 to 2016. At that time, Washington and Lee had among the fewest Pell-eligible students in the country, resulting in our ranking of 134th on this factor. Since then, we have increased the number of low-income students at W&L by more than 30%.
The Wall Street Journal: The Wall Street Journal - which is one of the publications that combines different types of institution on a single list - just ranked us the 9th best liberal arts college in the country. This is a notable improvement on our 25th position in this category in 2022. W&L leapt upward because the WSJ changed its criteria to emphasize student outcomes and student satisfaction, on which we excel. The WSJ recognized us as the #1 liberal arts college for learning opportunities, learning facilities, career preparation, and the likelihood of our students to recommend Washington and Lee.
Other Rankings: News are two of the best-known rankings, but there are many others, each employing its own methodology to reach its own conclusions. Among national liberal arts colleges, W&L is ranked 10th by Forbes, 8th by Washington Monthly, 6th by College Raptor, 11th by Niche, and 12th by College Consensus. There are also quite a few specialized rankings. Niche ranks us #1 among liberal arts colleges for best professors.

Academics: A Blend of Tradition and Innovation

W&L offers over 30 majors and more than 40 minors. Its academic offerings set the university apart, with W&L being one of the only leading liberal arts colleges with nationally accredited programs in business and journalism. W&L also offers an engineering program-a rarity for liberal arts schools. Class sizes are small with an average number of 15 students. The university’s academic structure comprises three main units:

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The College: This is the heart of the liberal arts and sciences at W&L, providing students with a broad foundation in various disciplines.
The Williams School of Commerce, Economics, and Politics: Uniquely integrated within a top liberal arts university, this school offers students access to business-related courses, allowing them to combine their liberal arts education with practical business knowledge.
The School of Law: This school provides a comprehensive legal education, preparing students for careers in law.

Unique Academic Opportunities

Washington and Lee University, one of the oldest colleges in the country, has a longstanding tradition of giving students the "unique opportunity to customize my academic path," which one student declares a perfect example of how the school encourages an individualized and dynamic learning experience."

W&L not only offers "some of the best educational opportunities," but it also provides ample "resources when it comes to studying abroad, conducting research, finding internships, and personal projects." Students at Washington and Lee University stand by what they were told when they first spoke with the school: “You’ll never be without a job.” With a high employment or continuing education placement of 96 percent, that’s largely accurate, and students credit the university for offering “many opportunities for one to explore their interests and find good career prospects.”

W&L offers 40 undergraduate majors (including interdisciplinary majors in neuroscience, Medieval and Renaissance studies, and Russian area studies) and 30 minors, including interdisciplinary programs in Africana studies, East Asian studies, Education and Education policy, environmental studies, Latin American & Caribbean studies, Middle East and South Asian studies, poverty and human capability studies (Shepherd Program),[58] and women's, gender, and sexuality studies.

The undergraduate calendar is an unusual three-term system with 13-week fall and winter terms followed by a four-week spring term. The spring-term courses include topical, often unique, seminars, faculty-supervised study abroad, and some domestic and international internships.

Pre-Professional Programs

Alongside these core divisions, W&L offers pre-professional opportunities that are rarely found at a small liberal arts college: journalism and strategic communication, engineering, and education, as well as robust pre-health and pre-law pathways.

A Thriving Campus Community

The university’s culture is deeply rooted in student self-governance, as evidenced by our renowned Honor System, while the campus-wide Speaking Tradition and intentional efforts to foster free expression and civil discourse aid in creating a trusting, welcoming community that shapes every aspect of campus life.

The community and traditions at W&L "[make] our students eager to come back in the fall." These traditions include Mock Convention (a simulated presidential nomination every four years) and Fancy Dress Ball as particular highlights. "You can usually find [at least] three club-hosted events such as dances, dinners, university guests talks every month to attend," and "everything is open to everyone…you can walk into a room not knowing anyone, and know that someone is going to come introduce themselves and start a conversation."

Honor System and Speaking Tradition

We are distinguished by our Honor System and our tradition of student self-governance. We are distinguished by the Speaking Tradition and our culture of warmth and civility. And we are distinguished by the lives led by our alumni.

The honor system is administered by students through the executive committee of the Student Body (and has been since 1905).[39] Students found guilty of an Honor Violation by their peers are subject to a single sanction: expulsion.[40] The honor system is defined solely by students, and there is an appeal process. Appeals are heard by juries composed of students drawn randomly by the University Registrar. A formal assessment of the honor system's "White Book",[41] occasionally including referendums, is held every three years to review the tenets of the honor system. Washington and Lee's honor system does not have a list of rules that define punishable behavior-beyond the traditional guide of the offenses lying, cheating or stealing. Exams at W&L are ordinarily unproctored and self-scheduled. The honor system is strongly enforced. In most years, only a few students withdraw in the face of an honor charge or after investigations and closed hearings conducted by the executive committee of the Student Body, the elected student government (with the accused counseled by Honor Advocates, often law students). In recent years, four or five students have left each year.[citation needed] Students found guilty in a closed hearing may appeal the verdict to an open hearing before the entire student body, although this option is rarely exercised.

Student Activities and Traditions

Many students "are greatly invested in Greek life," which "is so much more than a social sphere; rather, many people contribute to the philanthropy of their fraternity/ sorority and support their peers." The Outing Club is also popular, "they take you on hikes and backpacking to explore the beauty of the area." The region is known for its "beautiful mountains and trails" and "people love to get outside" and explore.

Every four years, the school sponsors the Washington and Lee Mock Convention for whichever political party (Democratic or Republican) does not hold the presidency. The convention has received gavel-to-gavel coverage on C-SPAN and attention from many other national media outlets. The convention has correctly picked the out-of-power nominee for 20 of the past 27 national elections. It has been wrong three times s…

Affordability and Financial Aid

We are dedicated to making a W&L education accessible through generous need-based financial aid. We follow a need-blind admissions policy for all undergraduate applicants and guarantee to meet 100% of demonstrated financial need-without loans. Through the W&L Promise, students from families with annual incomes under $150,000 pay no tuition, while those with incomes under $75,000 receive full coverage for tuition, housing, and meals. Beyond need-based aid, the university awards the prestigious Johnson Scholarship to approximately 10% of each incoming class. This merit-based scholarship covers full tuition, housing, and meals while providing an additional $10,000 for summer experiences. Recipients are selected based on academic excellence, leadership, integrity, and their potential to contribute to the intellectual and civic life of the university and beyond.

The university grants both merit and need-based scholarships, and families making less than $125,000 can receive financial aid equating to the full cost of tuition.

Career Development and Outcomes

And the outcomes are clear. Within six months of graduation, 94% of W&L graduates are employed or pursuing advanced study. Over the past five years, acceptance rates have averaged 92% for medical school and 96% for law school-well above national norms. Whether your path leads to business, medicine, public service, the arts, or beyond, you’ll leave W&L with lasting connections and prepared for whatever comes next. 97 percent of graduates have a defined plan, either being employed or in grad school within six months.

One feature in particular that they highlight is the Career Fellows program, which helps students learn vital résumé, job search, and professional skills by doing: “It’s a great way to gain leadership experience while helping your peers.” The Office of Career and Professional Development (CPD) also gets top marks for being “amazing” and that it “really prepares students well for entering the workforce after college.” Whether students need step-by-step guides for building digital portfolios or are seeking tools for help preparing for a big interview, CPD has them covered.

Campus and Location

Washington and Lee's 325-acre campus sits at the edge of Lexington and abuts the campus of the Virginia Military Institute in the Shenandoah Valley region between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Allegheny Mountains.

Lexington and Surrounding Area

The region is known for its "beautiful mountains and trails" and "people love to get outside" and explore. Richard L. Downtown Lexington is a Nationally Historically Registered Landmark, and visitors can take walking and carriage tours highlighting the many points of historical interest in the downtown area. For the shoppers in our midst, Lexington is home to a number of great boutiques. There are also art galleries, bookstores, restaurants, an ice cream parlor featuring a tremendous selection of homemade flavors, a couple of really good bakeries, and local coffee shops in the downtown area.

Transportation

University Shuttle Service: During the academic year, the university provides shuttle services to and from airports exclusively for students. Shuttles currently serve the Roanoke Airport, Charlottesville Airport or Amtrak Station, Richmond International Airport, and Dulles International Airport. Advance reservations are required.
Maury Express: This public transit service operates in Lexington, Buena Vista, and Rockbridge County. The fare is 50 cents per ride; however, Washington and Lee University and Virginia Military Institute students can ride for free by presenting a valid student ID.
Virginia Breeze: In partnership with Megabus, the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation offers daily bus service between Blacksburg and Washington, D.C., with a stop in Lexington at the Food Lion in Stonewall Square.
Lexington Car Rentals: Options include Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Central Virginia Rental, and Turo Private Rentals. Vehicles rented in Lexington must be returned there.
Roanoke Airport Car Rentals: Rental services are available from Avis, Budget, Hertz, and National. Vehicles rented from these providers must be returned to Roanoke Airport.
Transportation Services: For travel to and from airports, train stations, and other locations, several providers offer services requiring advance reservations.

Directions

From the north: Take I-81 S. Rte. 11 S., which becomes Main St. in Lexington. On Rte. 11, you pass Virginia Military Institute and then enter the Washington and Lee campus, 8 miles from I-81.
From the south: Take I-81 N. to the second Lexington exit and I-64 W.; from I-64 W. Rte. 11 S. Rte. 11 S.

Accommodation

The Georges: Lexington’s premier hotel properties, beautiful restored historic inns, one at the corner of Main and Washington streets, and the other on Main Street.
Wingate Inn: Pleasant, well-maintained motel off I-64 one mile from downtown Lexington, W&L. Spacious bedrooms with connecting rooms available. Children welcome, indoor pool, Wi-Fi, breakfast included.

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