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College comparison
Washington & Lee vs Wellesley
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 |  Washington & Lee Lexington, VA |  Wellesley Wellesley, MA |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rateWashington and Lee University is more selective | 14% | 14% |
| SAT (25–75) | 1430–1540 | 1460–1560 |
| ACT (25–75) | — | — |
| Undergrad enrollment | 1,881 | 2,300 |
| Avg net price | $23,781 | $25,496 |
| Median earnings (10 yr)Washington & Lee reports higher median earnings | $94,810 | $84,803 |
| Graduation rate | 94% | 92% |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $10,000 |
| Economic mobility | 0.6% | 2.4% |
| Test policy | — | — |
| Type | Private (nonprofit) | Private (nonprofit) |
Washington & Lee vs Wellesley: how they compare
For an affluent, data-driven family, Washington and Lee and Wellesley present a sharp quantitative trade-off between high-earning professional outcomes and exceptional socioeconomic mobility, set within vastly different campus cultures.
By the numbers Both are equally selective (14% acceptance) with high standardized test scores (W&L: 1430–1540 SAT; Wellesley: 1460–1560). Financially, they are nearly identical in average net price (~$24k–$25k). The core divergence is in outcomes. Washington and Lee demonstrates stronger early-career financial ROI, with 10-year median earnings of $95k and a value score of 4.0× earnings per dollar of net price. Wellesley, with median earnings of $85k and a value score of 3.3×, trades off some immediate earnings for extraordinary upward mobility, boasting an economic-mobility rate of 241% versus W&L's 57%. Wellesley also shows superior institutional financial health (DOE score: 3.0/3 vs. 2.3/3) and a notable future-scholar yield (7.8% proceeding to Science & Engineering PhDs).
Where they overlap They share a commitment to a rigorous, intimate liberal arts education with low student-to-faculty ratios, leading to high graduation rates (94% and 92%). Both are highly selective peers in the top tier of national liberal arts colleges.
How they differ The cultures are opposites. Washington and Lee is described as conservative-leaning, with a strong honor-code tradition and a social life significantly shaped by Greek organizations, located in a classic, engaged college town. Wellesley, a historic women's college, offers a suburban setting near Boston with access to a vast consortium, fostering an academically intense environment known for producing leaders and scholars, particularly in STEM and graduate academia.
Who each suits Choose Washington and Lee for a student seeking a traditional, tight-knit Southern collegiate experience with a path to high-earning professional fields like business, law, or journalism. Choose for a student, particularly one interested in academia, research, or leadership roles, who will thrive in a powerfully empowering, intellectually collaborative environment that catalyzes long-term socioeconomic advancement and advanced degrees.
Quick answers
- Is Washington and Lee University or Wellesley College harder to get into?
- Washington and Lee University is more selective: Washington and Lee University's acceptance rate is approximately 14% and Wellesley College's is approximately 14% (estimates from public and primary sources).
- What SAT score do you need for Washington and Lee University vs Wellesley College?
- The middle-50% SAT range is 1430–1540 at Washington and Lee University and 1460–1560 at Wellesley College. 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.