William & Mary (W&M) vs Washington and Lee

William & Mary and Washington and Lee University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. William & Mary, located in Williamsburg, Virginia, boasts a higher acceptance rate (38%) compared to Washington and Lee's (20%). While both universities offer a diverse range of majors, William & Mary excels in fields like Public Policy and Government, while Washington and Lee is renowned for its Business and Management programs. William & Mary's student body is slightly larger and more diverse, with a higher percentage of female students. In terms of graduation rates, Washington and Lee holds a slight edge, with a higher percentage of students completing their degrees within four years. To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table highlighting these key differences and more. Explore the table to discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	William & Mary	Washington and Lee University
Overview
Location	Williamsburg, Virginia	Lexington, Virginia
Campus setting	Suburb: Small	Town: Distant
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	4-1-4
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	93.0%	96.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	36.5%	18.8%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $75 Graduate: $50	$60
SAT range	1360 - 1520	1410 - 1530
ACT range	31 - 34	32 - 35
Students submitting SAT score	51.0%	26.0%
Students submitting ACT score	19.0%	32.0%
Total number of applicants	17,475	6,621
Total number of admissions given out	6,386	1,248
Admitted students who chose to enroll	1,684	484
Yield rate	26.4%	38.8%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Not required
Recommendation letters	Required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Not required	Not required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $40,624 Out of state: $63,850	$80,300
Average net price	$18,399	$26,063
Tuition	In state: $17,434 Out of state: $40,089	$58,260
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $8,490 Meal plan: $5,246	Room/dormitory: $8,600 Meal plan: $7,670
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan Other alternative tuition plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	44.0% Average amount $21,700	56.0% Average amount $51,537
Students receiving federal student loan	22.0% Average amount $5,132	13.0% Average amount $4,878
Students taking out private loans	4.0% Average amount $27,548	6.0% Average amount $25,474

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	6,543 Men 41.6% Women 58.4%	1,857 Men 48.7% Women 51.3%
Graduate students	2,974 Men 42.7% Women 57.3%	381 Men 48.8% Women 51.2%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	35.2%	81.2%
International students	6.2%	5.0%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Small	Town: Distant
Dormitory capacity	4,755	1,520
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	Yes
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Virginia New Jersey Maryland Pennsylvania New York	Virginia North Carolina Texas New York Georgia

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Legal Profession Education Social Sciences Multidisciplinary Studies	Legal Profession Social Sciences Biological and Biomedical Sciences Foreign Languages and Literatures Physical Science
Students to faculty ratio	12:1	8:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	91.0%	93.6%
Dropout rate	2.1%	6.2%
Transferred out	6.3%	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $71,208 Year 2: $71,202 Year 3: $87,886 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $64,972 Year 2: $66,087 Year 3: $81,526 Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $85,399 Year 2: $82,440 Year 3: $80,518 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $73,897 Year 2: $68,499 Year 3: $80,071 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,977 Year 2: $65,610 Year 3: $69,021 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $54,979 Year 2: $53,108 Year 3: $57,485 Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $43,630 Year 2: $44,117 Year 3: $51,824 Public Policy Analysis (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $37,566 Year 2: $39,153 Year 3: $50,454 Area Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $34,517 Year 2: $29,685 Year 3: $48,118 History (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $26,414 Year 2: $29,685 Year 3: $47,651	Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $56,231 Year 2: $56,641 Year 3: $85,103 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $63,586 Year 2: $72,642 Year 3: $83,304 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $66,449 Year 3: $79,551 Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $76,460 Year 3: $69,951 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $51,643 Year 2: $55,964 Year 3: $68,713 Journalism (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $42,682 Year 3: $54,059 Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $47,231 Year 2: $41,007 Year 3: $45,285 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $91,744 Year 3: N/A English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $37,593 Year 3: N/A History (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $30,409 Year 3: N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between William & Mary and Washington and Lee University?

William & Mary (W&M) is a public university with a strong liberal arts focus and a broader range of graduate programs. Washington and Lee University (W&L) is a private liberal arts college with a more intimate setting and a combined undergraduate and law school. W&M is generally larger and offers a wider array of majors, while W&L is known for its strong sense of community and emphasis on honor and tradition.
How do the academic reputations of William & Mary and Washington and Lee compare?

Both William & Mary and Washington and Lee are highly regarded academically. W&M is known for its strong programs in history, government, and law, benefiting from its proximity to Colonial Williamsburg and its public policy focus. W&L excels in areas like business, journalism, and the liberal arts, with a strong emphasis on undergraduate research and close faculty-student interaction. Both institutions attract high-achieving students and boast impressive graduation rates.
What is the typical student life like at William & Mary versus Washington and Lee?

At William & Mary, student life is vibrant and diverse, with a wide range of clubs, organizations, and activities. Being a larger school, W&M offers more opportunities for involvement in various interests. Washington and Lee, with its smaller size, fosters a close-knit community where students are highly engaged in campus life. W&L is known for its strong Greek life presence and emphasis on tradition, while W&M offers a broader spectrum of social options.
How do the campus environments differ between William & Mary and Washington and Lee?

William & Mary's campus is located in historic Williamsburg, Virginia, offering a blend of colonial charm and modern facilities. The campus is integrated into the town, providing easy access to historical sites and local amenities. Washington and Lee's campus is situated in Lexington, Virginia, a smaller town in the Shenandoah Valley. W&L's campus is known for its picturesque beauty and traditional architecture, creating a more secluded and focused academic environment.
What are the costs of attending William & Mary and Washington and Lee?

William & Mary, as a public university, generally has lower tuition costs for in-state students compared to Washington and Lee, which is a private institution. However, out-of-state tuition at W&M can be comparable to W&L's tuition. Both universities offer financial aid and scholarships to eligible students. It's important to consider the overall cost of attendance, including room, board, and other expenses, when comparing the affordability of each school.
What types of students thrive at William & Mary versus Washington and Lee?

William & Mary tends to attract students who are independent, intellectually curious, and interested in a wide range of academic and extracurricular pursuits. Students who enjoy a larger university environment and the opportunities it provides often thrive at W&M. Washington and Lee appeals to students who value a close-knit community, strong traditions, and a more personalized learning experience. Students who are highly engaged in campus life and appreciate a strong sense of honor and integrity often find W&L to be a good fit.
How do the career services and alumni networks compare between the two schools?

Both William & Mary and Washington and Lee have strong career services departments that provide students with resources and support for internships, job searches, and career planning. W&M's larger alumni network can be advantageous for students seeking connections in various fields. W&L's alumni network is known for its strong loyalty and willingness to help fellow graduates, particularly in fields like law, business, and journalism. Both institutions have successful alumni who have made significant contributions in their respective fields.
What are the strengths of William & Mary's graduate programs compared to Washington and Lee?

William & Mary offers a wider array of graduate programs, including law, business, education, and marine science. These programs benefit from the university's research facilities and partnerships with government agencies and private organizations. Washington and Lee's primary graduate program is its highly regarded law school. While W&L doesn't offer the breadth of graduate programs found at W&M, its law school provides a focused and rigorous legal education.
How does the location of each school impact the student experience?

William & Mary's location in Williamsburg provides students with unique opportunities to engage with American history and culture. The proximity to Washington, D.C., also offers access to internships and career opportunities in government and public policy. Washington and Lee's location in Lexington provides a more secluded and peaceful environment, ideal for focused study and reflection. The surrounding Shenandoah Valley offers opportunities for outdoor recreation and exploration.
What are some unique traditions or aspects of each school that students should know?

William & Mary is known for its Wren Building, the oldest college building in the United States, and its traditions surrounding Convocation and Commencement. Washington and Lee is famous for its Honor System, which emphasizes student integrity and self-governance. W&L also has unique traditions like the Mock Convention, a quadrennial event where students simulate a presidential nominating convention.

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