Washington and Lee University
With an international student body of ~1,885 students, a faculty-to-student ratio of 8:1, and an endowment per student rank in the top 25 of all U.S. colleges, we are able to provide the opportunities of a large university while retaining the personal attention of a small liberal arts community.
We pride ourselves on the depth and breadth of our curriculum, augmenting the arts and sciences with offerings not commonly found in a small college, including engineering and nationally accredited business and journalism programs. Innovative interdisciplinary programs and minors in areas like data science, entrepreneurship, and poverty studies ensure our educational values address the challenges and opportunities of the modern world.
Located in Lexington, Virginia, our idyllic Blue Ridge Mountain setting is among the things our students love most about W&L and is consistently rated as a top destination for outdoor adventure. It is also the launchpad for extensive service-learning and study abroad, with more than 700 approved programs that send 60% of students into the field in more than 40 countries for hands-on experience.
Our no-loan need-based aid program meets 100% of demonstrated need for all admitted students. Families with incomes below $150,000 with typical assets will pay $0 in tuition. Additionally, our full-ride merit-based Johnson Scholarship covers tuition, housing, meals, and $10,000 for summer funding for up 10% of each incoming class.
Academic programs
- Engineering
- Research
- Science
- Liberal Arts
- Business
- Education
- Communication
- Music
- Economics
- Finance/Accounting
- Government/Political Science
- Health Science
- Performing Arts
- Social Science
- Visual Arts
Student experience
- Athletics
- Co-op/Internship Opportunities
- Disability Services
- Greek Life
- Intramural/Club Sports
- LGBTQIA Services
- On-Campus Housing
- ROTC Program
- Study Abroad
- Undergraduate Research
Application information
First-year
Students who are currently seniors in high school or who have never taken college classes after graduating from high school should apply as first-year applicants. Our admissions process is holistic, taking into account a student's personal and academic backgrounds and accomplishments.
If you are interested in applying for W&L scholarships, you must submit the Johnson Scholarship application by Dec. 1, 2024. The supplemental scholarship application is found in the W&L portion of the Common App, under the Johnson Scholarship Program section.
Transfer
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Additional information
We meet 100% of demonstrated need through grants and student employment and without loans. The W&L Promise guarantees grant packages equal to or greater than full tuition to any undergraduate student admitted to W&L with a family income below $150,000 and assets typical for their income.
W&L's Johnson Scholarship Program selects students on the basis of academic achievement, demonstrated leadership, and their potential to contribute to the intellectual and civic life of the W&L campus and of the world at large in years to come.
A Johnson Scholarship is awarded to approximately 10% of each entering class. Winners of the Johnson Scholarship receive awards of at least tuition, housing, and meals to attend Washington and Lee University. Students with financial need higher than this amount will have any additional need met by the scholarship.
In addition, Johnson Scholars receive funding up to $10,000 to support summer experiences during their time at W&L. Internships, volunteer experiences, or research projects are just a few of the ways Johnson Scholars may use these funds to explore the world and their own potential for leadership.
Visit us
An in-person visit is a great way to help you decide if W&L is right for you. But if a visit isn’t possible, there are other ways to get to know us. On our website, you may take a virtual tour, sign up for a virtual information session, or register for a one-on-one conversation with an admissions officer. In-person or online, we would love to meet you!
One of the best things about W&L is that if you have a great idea of passion project you want to pursue, there are ALWAYS people and resources available to help you achieve it.