Washington and Lee vs Elon University

Washington and Lee University and Elon University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Washington and Lee, nestled in the historic town of Lexington, Virginia, boasts a lower acceptance rate and a smaller student body, fostering a close-knit community. Elon, located in the vibrant town of Elon, North Carolina, offers a more diverse student body and a higher acceptance rate, providing a welcoming and inclusive environment. While both universities excel in liberal arts education, Washington and Lee is known for its strong pre-law and business programs, while Elon is recognized for its renowned communications and performing arts programs. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about these universities' unique offerings, including popular majors, graduation rates, and additional factors that may influence your college decision.

	Elon University	Washington and Lee University
Overview
Location	Elon, North Carolina	Lexington, Virginia
Campus setting	Suburb: Midsize	Town: Distant
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	4-1-4	4-1-4
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	88.0%	96.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	77.7%	18.8%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $60 Graduate: $60	$60
SAT range	N/A	1410 - 1530
ACT range	N/A	32 - 35
Students submitting SAT score		26.0%
Students submitting ACT score		32.0%
Total number of applicants	17,834	6,621
Total number of admissions given out	13,859	1,248
Admitted students who chose to enroll	1,591	484
Yield rate	11.5%	38.8%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Not required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Not required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$55,647	$80,300
Average net price	$40,366	$26,063
Tuition	$38,218	$58,260
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $6,593 Meal plan: $6,829	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)	67.0% Average amount $13,677	56.0% Average amount $51,537
Students receiving federal student loan	30.0% Average amount $5,259	13.0% Average amount $4,878
Students taking out private loans	7.0% Average amount $25,192	6.0% Average amount $25,474

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	6,302 Men 40.2% Women 59.8%	1,857 Men 48.7% Women 51.3%
Graduate students	825 Men 36.5% Women 63.5%	381 Men 48.8% Women 51.2%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Very Low	Low
Out-of-state students	80.6%	81.2%
International students	2.0%	5.0%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Midsize	Town: Distant
Dormitory capacity	4,192	1,520
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	Yes
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	North Carolina New Jersey New York Pennsylvania Virginia	Virginia North Carolina Texas New York Georgia

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Legal Profession Health Professions Communication and Journalism Education	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	83.3%	93.6%
Dropout rate	16.7%	6.2%
Transferred out	N/A	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $101,556 Year 2: $104,061 Year 3: $105,320 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $64,803 Year 2: $71,854 Year 3: $78,720 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $58,320 Year 2: $60,016 Year 3: $77,567 Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $46,276 Year 2: $54,192 Year 3: $77,220 Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $58,564 Year 2: $62,154 Year 3: $76,604 Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $68,888 Year 2: $69,629 Year 3: $70,208 Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $50,091 Year 2: $50,022 Year 3: $64,255 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $44,189 Year 3: $59,817 Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $39,293 Year 2: $36,674 Year 3: $58,053 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $44,055 Year 3: $55,617	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 primary differences between Washington and Lee University and Elon University?

Washington and Lee University (W&L) is a highly selective, private liberal arts university with a strong emphasis on tradition and a renowned honor system. It's located in Lexington, Virginia, and is known for its small class sizes and strong programs in law, business, and journalism. Elon University, located in Elon, North Carolina, is a private university known for its experiential learning opportunities, including study abroad, internships, and undergraduate research. Elon emphasizes engaged learning and a strong sense of community.
How do the academic reputations of Washington and Lee and Elon compare?

Washington and Lee generally holds a stronger national academic reputation, particularly in the liberal arts and pre-professional fields. It's often ranked among the top liberal arts colleges in the country. Elon University has a growing reputation, especially for its programs in communications, business, and engaged learning. While not as highly ranked overall as W&L, Elon is recognized for its commitment to student success and innovative teaching methods.
What is the typical student body size at each university?

Washington and Lee is significantly smaller than Elon. W&L typically has an undergraduate enrollment of around 1,800 students, fostering a close-knit community. Elon University has a larger undergraduate population, usually around 7,000 students, offering a wider range of perspectives and experiences.
How do the campus cultures differ between Washington and Lee and Elon?

Washington and Lee has a more traditional campus culture, steeped in history and tradition, including a strong honor system that governs student conduct. Elon's campus culture is more modern and emphasizes student involvement, community engagement, and a welcoming atmosphere. Elon is known for its beautiful campus and active student life.
What are the strengths of Washington and Lee's academic programs?

Washington and Lee excels in its undergraduate programs in areas such as economics, politics, history, English, and journalism. Its Williams School of Commerce, Economics, and Politics is particularly well-regarded. W&L also has a highly respected law school and offers a unique undergraduate-law program.
What are the strengths of Elon University's academic programs?

Elon University is known for its strong programs in communications, business, education, and performing arts. It emphasizes experiential learning across all disciplines, with a focus on internships, study abroad, and undergraduate research. Elon's School of Communications is particularly well-regarded.
What are the career prospects like for graduates of Washington and Lee versus Elon?

Washington and Lee graduates often pursue careers in law, finance, consulting, journalism, and government. The university's strong alumni network and reputation provide excellent career opportunities. Elon graduates find success in a variety of fields, including communications, marketing, business, education, and the non-profit sector. Elon's emphasis on experiential learning prepares students well for the workforce.
How do the costs of attending Washington and Lee and Elon compare?

Both Washington and Lee and Elon are private universities, and their tuition costs are comparable. However, Washington and Lee may offer more generous financial aid packages to qualified students. It's essential to review the specific financial aid offerings from each institution based on your individual circumstances.
What kind of student typically thrives at Washington and Lee?

A student who thrives at Washington and Lee is typically academically driven, values tradition, appreciates a close-knit community, and is committed to upholding a strong honor system. They are often interested in pursuing careers in law, business, or public service.
What kind of student typically thrives at Elon University?

A student who thrives at Elon University is typically engaged, collaborative, and eager to participate in experiential learning opportunities. They value a strong sense of community, are open to new experiences, and are looking for a supportive and innovative learning environment.
Does either school have a religious affiliation?

While both were founded with religious affiliations, neither Washington and Lee nor Elon are currently religiously affiliated. Both universities welcome students of all faiths and backgrounds.
What are the athletic programs like at Washington and Lee and Elon?

Washington and Lee competes in NCAA Division III athletics, with a focus on providing a well-rounded student-athlete experience. Elon University competes in NCAA Division I athletics, offering a more competitive athletic environment. Elon is part of the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA).
How do the locations of Washington and Lee and Elon impact the student experience?

Washington and Lee is located in Lexington, Virginia, a small, historic town in the Shenandoah Valley. The location offers a peaceful and focused academic environment. Elon University is located in Elon, North Carolina, a college town close to larger cities like Greensboro and Raleigh-Durham, providing access to more diverse cultural and professional opportunities.

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