Head-to-head comparison
Hamilton College vs. Washington and Lee University
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Hamilton or Washington & Lee harder to get into?
Hamilton is harder to get into than Washington & Lee. Hamilton's 13.6% acceptance rate is lower than Washington & Lee's 14.0%.
Which is cheaper, Hamilton or Washington & Lee?
Washington & Lee costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Washington & Lee's average net price is $23,781 vs $28,985 at Hamilton.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
Washington & Lee graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $78,411 at Hamilton and $94,810 at Washington & Lee.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Hamilton | Washington & Lee |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 13.6% | 14.0% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1450–1550 | 1430–1540 |
| ACT mid-50% | 33–35 | 33–34 |
| Cost of attendance | $84,230 | $87,000 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $28,985 | $23,781 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 2,030 | 1,881 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 90.6% | 93.9% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $78,411 | $94,810 |
| Setting | Clinton, New York | 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. Hamilton's 13.6% 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.
Washington & Lee is significantly cheaper after aid. The average net price gap is $5,204 per year, $20,816 over four years. For most families that difference is the deciding factor when both schools admit you.
Washington & Lee graduates earn $16,399 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. Hamilton grads' earnings within the same major category are typically comparable.
Geographic difference matters more than the campus tour suggests. Hamilton is in Clinton, New York; 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. Hamilton is 55.6% women, 8.2% international, and 9.0% Asian-American. Washington & Lee is 51.1% women, 8.2% international, and 4.7% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Hamilton | Washington & Lee |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 55.6% | 51.1% |
| International | 8.2% | 8.2% |
| White | 62.2% | 68.0% |
| Asian | 9.0% | 4.7% |
| Hispanic | 9.7% | 8.6% |
| Black | 3.1% | 4.6% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Hamilton vs. Washington & Lee?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick Hamilton if
- its open curriculum
Pick Washington & Lee if
- Your odds are realistic at Washington & Lee (slightly easier admit)
- Net price matters: Washington & Lee costs $5,204 less per year on average
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($94,810 vs $78,411)
- 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
Hamilton College
13.6% accept · Clinton, New York
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.