Washington and Lee vs U of Richmond

Washington and Lee University and University of Richmond, both esteemed institutions of higher learning in Virginia, offer distinct educational experiences. Washington and Lee, a private liberal arts college, boasts a lower acceptance rate (18%) compared to University of Richmond's 34%. While Washington and Lee excels in pre-law and business, University of Richmond shines in business, nursing, and engineering. Washington and Lee's student body is predominantly male (62%), while University of Richmond fosters a more balanced gender ratio (51% female, 49% male). Both universities boast impressive graduation rates, with Washington and Lee at 94% and University of Richmond at 88%. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more key differences and make an informed decision about which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	University of Richmond	Washington and Lee University
Overview
Location	University of Richmond, Virginia	Lexington, Virginia
Campus setting	City: Midsize	Town: Distant
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	4-1-4
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	92.0%	96.0%
Common app member	No	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	28.8%	18.8%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $50	$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	13,955	6,621
Total number of admissions given out	4,015	1,248
Admitted students who chose to enroll	876	484
Yield rate	21.8%	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)	Required	Not required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$74,590	$80,300
Average net price	$28,881	$26,063
Tuition	$58,570	$58,260
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $6,550 Meal plan: $7,400	Room/dormitory: $8,600 Meal plan: $7,670
Available payment plans	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan Other alternative tuition plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	61.0% Average amount $43,905	56.0% Average amount $51,537
Students receiving federal student loan	32.0% Average amount $4,957	13.0% Average amount $4,878
Students taking out private loans	4.0% Average amount $29,516	6.0% Average amount $25,474

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	3,166 Men 46.8% Women 53.2%	1,857 Men 48.7% Women 51.3%
Graduate students	724 Men 38.5% Women 61.5%	381 Men 48.8% Women 51.2%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	81.9%	81.2%
International students	9.5%	5.0%
Campus local/setting	City: Midsize	Town: Distant
Dormitory capacity	2,875	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 York New Jersey Connecticut Pennsylvania	Virginia North Carolina Texas New York Georgia

Academics
Popular study areas	Legal Profession Business Education Biological and Biomedical Sciences Social Sciences	Legal Profession Social Sciences Biological and Biomedical Sciences Foreign Languages and Literatures Physical Science
Students to faculty ratio	8:1	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	89.2%	93.6%
Dropout rate	10.6%	6.2%
Transferred out	N/A	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $68,711 Year 2: $74,157 Year 3: $88,040 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $57,385 Year 2: $65,821 Year 3: $83,877 Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $54,362 Year 2: $63,005 Year 3: $75,249 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $58,083 Year 2: $59,858 Year 3: $73,682 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $64,179 Year 2: $66,355 Year 3: $73,053 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $55,668 Year 2: $56,544 Year 3: $66,820 Educational Administration and Supervision (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: $54,058 Year 2: $57,705 Year 3: $59,253 Human Resources Management and Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $46,998 Year 2: $38,829 Year 3: $57,966 Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $40,281 Year 3: $49,992 Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $40,110 Year 2: $41,789 Year 3: $48,824	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 academic strengths of Washington and Lee University (W&L) and the University of Richmond?

Both W&L and the University of Richmond offer strong liberal arts educations. W&L is particularly well-regarded for its undergraduate programs in business, economics, and pre-law, and it has a strong emphasis on its Honor System. The University of Richmond excels in its business school (Robins School of Business), its law school, and its undergraduate programs in international studies and leadership studies. Both universities provide excellent opportunities for undergraduate research and offer a wide range of majors.
How do the campus environments and student life differ between W&L and Richmond?

W&L has a more traditional, historic campus setting located in Lexington, Virginia, a smaller town. The campus culture is known for its strong sense of community and tradition, including the Honor System. Richmond, located in Richmond, Virginia, offers a more urban-suburban campus experience. It has a more diverse student body and a wider range of social activities, including a vibrant Greek life. Both schools have beautiful campuses, but their settings and social scenes cater to different preferences.
What is the cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, and room and board, at each university?

The cost of attendance at both W&L and the University of Richmond is substantial. While the exact figures fluctuate annually, both are considered expensive private institutions. You should consult the official websites of each university for the most up-to-date information on tuition, fees, and room and board. Financial aid and merit scholarships are available at both institutions to help offset these costs.
How selective are W&L and the University of Richmond in their admissions processes?

Both W&L and the University of Richmond are highly selective institutions. They both seek academically strong students with a record of extracurricular involvement and leadership. Admission rates are competitive, and successful applicants typically have excellent grades, standardized test scores (though test-optional policies may be in place), and compelling essays and recommendations. The specific selectivity rates can vary year to year, so check the most recent data from each university's admissions office.
What are the career services and internship opportunities like at W&L and Richmond?

Both universities provide robust career services to help students with internships and job placement. W&L's career services are particularly strong in supporting students interested in business, law, and finance. Richmond's career services offer extensive resources and networking opportunities, especially for students interested in business, law, and government. Both universities have strong alumni networks that actively support students in their career pursuits, and both offer career fairs and on-campus recruiting events.
How do the athletic programs compare at W&L and Richmond?

W&L competes in NCAA Division III athletics, primarily in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC). They offer a wide range of varsity sports, and athletics are an important part of campus life. The University of Richmond competes in NCAA Division I athletics, primarily in the Atlantic 10 Conference (A-10) for most sports and the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) for football. Richmond's athletic programs are generally more competitive at the Division I level, and their football and basketball teams often draw significant attention.
What are the key differences in the student body demographics at W&L and Richmond?

The University of Richmond generally has a more diverse student body than W&L. Richmond has a larger percentage of students from underrepresented backgrounds and a more international student population. W&L has been working to increase its diversity, but its student body has historically been less diverse. Both schools attract students from across the United States and internationally, but the proportions vary.
How does the Honor System at W&L impact the student experience?

W&L's Honor System is a cornerstone of its campus culture. It fosters a high degree of trust and personal responsibility among students. The Honor System allows for self-scheduled exams, open dorm rooms, and a general atmosphere of mutual respect. It significantly shapes the social and academic environment, creating a unique sense of community. While Richmond does not have a formal Honor System like W&L, it emphasizes academic integrity and ethical conduct.
Which university is better for someone interested in pre-law?

Both W&L and the University of Richmond are excellent choices for students interested in pre-law. W&L has a long-standing reputation for producing successful law school applicants and has a strong pre-law advising program. Richmond also has a highly regarded law school and provides excellent resources for pre-law students. The choice may depend on other factors, such as campus environment and overall academic interests.
What are the study abroad opportunities like at W&L and Richmond?

Both W&L and the University of Richmond offer robust study abroad programs. Richmond has a particularly strong emphasis on international programs, with a high percentage of students participating in study abroad. W&L also provides numerous opportunities for students to study abroad, and both universities offer a variety of programs, including semester-long, year-long, and summer programs, in various locations around the world.

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