Washington and Lee University Acceptance Rate
Lexington, Virginia · Private not-for-profit · 4-year or above
- Applicants
- 6,820
- Admitted
- 1,184
- Yield
- 42.4%
- Test policy
- Test-optional
Latest official IPEDS 2023–24 · Updated July 2026
Acceptance rate & applications over time
Hover or tap the chart to read any year.
Over the 10 years of federal data, Washington and Lee University's acceptance rate has fallen from 19.5% in 2014–15 to 17.4% in 2023–24. Applications grew from 5,837 to 6,820 (+17%) over that period.
Its 17.4% rate makes Washington and Lee University more selective than about 95% of the 1,419 schools tracked here. Among 40 tracked Virginia schools, it is more selective than about 95%.
Washington and Lee University has been test-optional since 2021–22. Of admitted students, 42.4% enrolled (the yield rate) in 2023–24.
Full year-by-year table
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | 5,837 | 1,136 | 19.5% | 471 |
| 2015–16 | 5,377 | 1,284 | 23.9% | 454 |
| 2016–17 | 5,101 | 1,203 | 23.6% | 466 |
| 2017–18 | 5,455 | 1,200 | 22% | 471 |
| 2018–19 | 5,855 | 1,239 | 21.2% | 474 |
| 2019–20 | 6,178 | 1,147 | 18.6% | 462 |
| 2020–21 | 4,998 | 1,225 | 24.5% | 459 |
| 2021–22 | 6,621 | 1,248 | 18.8% | 484 |
| 2022–23 | 7,224 | 1,225 | 17% | 476 |
| 2023–24 | 6,820 | 1,184 | 17.4% | 502 |
Acceptance rate by gender
| Group | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 3,427 | 637 | 18.6% |
| Men | 3,393 | 547 | 16.1% |
SAT / ACT ranges & policy
Test-optional (considered if submitted).
| Test | 25th–75th percentile | % submitting |
|---|---|---|
| SAT EBRW | 710–750 | 27% |
| SAT Math | 700–780 | |
| ACT Composite | 32–35 | 25% |
How Washington and Lee compares
Where this school sits among peers of similar selectivity — each dot is a school's current acceptance rate on the same scale.
Frequently asked
What is Washington and Lee University's acceptance rate?
Washington and Lee University's acceptance rate is 17.4% for 2023–24, the most recent year of federal IPEDS data (1,184 admitted of 6,820 applicants).
Is Washington and Lee University test optional?
Washington and Lee University is test-optional: SAT/ACT scores are considered if submitted but not required.
How many people apply to Washington and Lee University?
Washington and Lee University received 6,820 applications in 2023–24 and admitted 1,184.
What SAT score do you need for Washington and Lee University?
Admitted students at Washington and Lee University typically scored 710–750 on SAT Reading/Writing and 700–780 on SAT Math (middle-50% ranges).
Is Washington and Lee University getting harder to get into?
Washington and Lee University has become harder to get into: its acceptance rate went from 19.5% in 2014–15 to 17.4% in 2023–24.
How this is calculated
Acceptance rate = admitted ÷ applicants, first-time degree-seeking undergraduates, from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS Admissions (ADM) survey; institution details from the IPEDS Institutional Characteristics (HD) survey. Data span: 2014–15 to 2023–24. Official site: www.wlu.edu/.