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College comparison
Notre Dame vs Washington & Lee
A side-by-side of acceptance rate, test scores, and cost — source-cited estimates, not guarantees. Want the number that actually matters for your student? Model your admit odds at each.
| Metric |  Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN |  Washington & Lee Lexington, VA |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rateUniversity of Notre Dame is more selective | 11% | 14% |
| SAT (25–75) | 1455–1560 | 1430–1540 |
| ACT (25–75) | — | — |
| Undergrad enrollment | 8,818 | 1,881 |
| Avg net price | $26,780 | $23,781 |
| Median earnings (10 yr)Notre Dame reports higher median earnings | $99,980 | $94,810 |
| Graduation rate | 95% | 94% |
| Median debt | $19,000 | $19,500 |
| Economic mobility | 0.9% | 0.6% |
| Test policy | — | — |
| Type | Private (nonprofit) | Private (nonprofit) |
Notre Dame vs Washington & Lee: how they compare
Notre Dame and Washington and Lee are both selective institutions, but one is a national Catholic research university and the other is a small, historic liberal arts college in Virginia.
By the numbers Notre Dame is slightly more selective (11% vs. 14% acceptance) with a marginally higher test score range (1455–1560 vs. 1430–1540). It yields stronger early-career outcomes, with a 10-year median earnings figure of $100k compared to W&L's $95k, and demonstrates exceptional economic mobility with a 90% mobility rate versus W&L's 57%. Washington and Lee, however, offers a slightly lower average net price ($24k vs. $27k) and a higher calculated value, returning 4.0x earnings per dollar of net price compared to Notre Dame's 3.7x. Both have stellar graduation rates (95% and 94%, respectively).
Where they overlap Both are highly selective, private institutions with outstanding graduation rates and strong financial returns on investment. They cultivate tight-knit, tradition-rich campus communities where students are academically driven.
How they differ The core difference is scale and culture. Notre Dame is a major national university with a prominent Division I athletic identity and a pervasive Catholic ethos, set in a suburban Indiana environment. Washington and Lee is a small liberal arts college in a Virginia college town, defined by a pronounced Southern heritage and a social scene where Greek life is a prominent feature, alongside a noted "work-hard, play-hard" atmosphere.
Who each suits Notre Dame suits students seeking a spirited, large-university experience with vast alumni networks, D1 sports, and a values-oriented community, particularly those from less affluent backgrounds given its high mobility rate. Washington and Lee is ideal for those who prefer an intimate, residential liberal arts setting, are comfortable within a dominant Greek-life social structure, and appreciate a culture blending Southern tradition with rigorous academics.
Quick answers
- Is University of Notre Dame or Washington and Lee University harder to get into?
- University of Notre Dame is more selective: University of Notre Dame's acceptance rate is approximately 11% and Washington and Lee University's is approximately 14% (estimates from public and primary sources).
- What SAT score do you need for University of Notre Dame vs Washington and Lee University?
- The middle-50% SAT range is 1455–1560 at University of Notre Dame and 1430–1540 at Washington and Lee University. Scores outside these bands are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
Figures are estimates compiled from public datasets (College Scorecard / IPEDS) and primary sources; verify with each institution before relying on them.
These outputs are estimates from a baseline model — not guarantees of admission, cost, or outcome.