Head-to-head comparison
Davidson College vs. Washington and Lee University
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Davidson or Washington & Lee harder to get into?
Davidson is harder to get into than Washington & Lee. Davidson's 13.4% acceptance rate is lower than Washington & Lee's 14.0%.
Which is cheaper, Davidson or Washington & Lee?
Davidson costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Davidson's average net price is $17,379 vs $23,781 at Washington & Lee.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
Washington & Lee graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $81,400 at Davidson and $94,810 at Washington & Lee.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Davidson | Washington & Lee |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 13.4% | 14.0% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1400–1530 | 1430–1540 |
| ACT mid-50% | 31–34 | 33–34 |
| Cost of attendance | $79,475 | $87,000 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $17,379 | $23,781 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 1,867 | 1,881 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 91.1% | 93.9% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $81,400 | $94,810 |
| Setting | Davidson, North Carolina | Lexington, VA |
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS) and school-published admit cycle data. Last verified May 2026.
The Real Differences
Selectivity is essentially the same. Davidson's 13.4% acceptance rate and Washington & Lee's 14.0% are within a percentage point of each other. For an unhooked applicant, the difference is statistical noise. Apply to whichever you genuinely prefer.
Davidson is significantly cheaper after aid. The average net price gap is $6,402 per year, $25,608 over four years. For most families that difference is the deciding factor when both schools admit you.
Washington & Lee graduates earn $13,410 more on average at the 10-year mark. This usually reflects major distribution more than school quality — schools that concentrate in CS, engineering, and finance pull higher medians than schools with more humanities and social science graduates. Davidson grads' earnings within the same major category are typically comparable.
Geographic difference matters more than the campus tour suggests. Davidson is in Davidson, North Carolina; Washington & Lee is in Lexington, VA. Climate, cost-of-living, and proximity to job markets in your target field shape the four-year experience and post-grad pipeline more than most prospective students realize.
Student Body Composition
The two schools have different student body compositions. Davidson is 53.0% women, 10.7% international, and 5.3% Asian-American. Washington & Lee is 51.1% women, 8.2% international, and 4.7% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Davidson | Washington & Lee |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 53.0% | 51.1% |
| International | 10.7% | 8.2% |
| White | 60.4% | 68.0% |
| Asian | 5.3% | 4.7% |
| Hispanic | 11.1% | 8.6% |
| Black | 6.9% | 4.6% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Davidson vs. Washington & Lee?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick Davidson if
- Net price matters: Davidson costs $6,402 less per year on average
- its Honor Code
Pick Washington & Lee if
- Your odds are realistic at Washington & Lee (slightly easier admit)
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($94,810 vs $81,400)
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- the Honor System
Headline numbers favor one school or the other on each axis, but neither is unambiguously “better.” The right answer depends on your major fit, geographic preference, financial need, and personal odds at each. Most applicants who get into one of these schools also get into the other.
Full School Pages
For complete admissions data, supplemental essay strategy, and class profile breakdowns:
Full profile
Davidson College
13.4% accept · Davidson, North Carolina
Full profile
Washington and Lee University
14.0% accept · Lexington, VA
Sources
- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard for acceptance rates, test ranges, financial aid, demographics, completion, and earnings.
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) for the underlying federal data.
- Each school's most recent published Common Data Set for cycle-specific admissions stats.
Last verified May 2026. Stats reflect each school's most recent publicly published admit cycle.