Head-to-head comparison
Washington and Lee University vs. Wesleyan University
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Washington & Lee or Wesleyan harder to get into?
Washington & Lee is harder to get into than Wesleyan. Washington & Lee's 14.0% acceptance rate is lower than Wesleyan's 16.5%.
Which is cheaper, Washington & Lee or Wesleyan?
Washington & Lee costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Washington & Lee's average net price is $23,781 vs $30,177 at Wesleyan.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
Washington & Lee graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $94,810 at Washington & Lee and $73,897 at Wesleyan.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Washington & Lee | Wesleyan |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 14.0% | 16.5% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1430–1540 | 1415–1540 |
| ACT mid-50% | 33–34 | 33–35 |
| Cost of attendance | $87,000 | $89,020 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $23,781 | $30,177 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 1,881 | 3,067 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 93.9% | 92.6% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $94,810 | $73,897 |
| Setting | Lexington, VA | Middletown, Connecticut |
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS) and school-published admit cycle data. Last verified May 2026.
The Real Differences
Washington & Lee is modestly harder to get into. The 2.5-point gap matters at the margin but doesn't change the overall difficulty tier. Both schools draw similar applicant pools and admit similar profiles.
Washington & Lee is significantly cheaper after aid. The average net price gap is $6,396 per year, $25,584 over four years. For most families that difference is the deciding factor when both schools admit you.
Washington & Lee graduates earn $20,913 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. Wesleyan grads' earnings within the same major category are typically comparable.
Wesleyan is substantially larger with 3,067 undergrads vs 1,881 at Washington & Lee. Bigger universities have more major options and broader research opportunities; smaller ones offer more access to faculty and tighter-knit communities.
Geographic difference matters more than the campus tour suggests. Washington & Lee is in Lexington, VA; Wesleyan is in Middletown, Connecticut. 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. Washington & Lee is 51.1% women, 8.2% international, and 4.7% Asian-American. Wesleyan is 52.2% women, 9.9% international, and 9.0% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Washington & Lee | Wesleyan |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 51.1% | 52.2% |
| International | 8.2% | 9.9% |
| White | 68.0% | 53.6% |
| Asian | 4.7% | 9.0% |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 10.8% |
| Black | 4.6% | 6.0% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Washington & Lee vs. Wesleyan?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick Washington & Lee if
- Net price matters: Washington & Lee costs $6,396 less per year on average
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($94,810 vs $73,897)
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- the Honor System
Pick Wesleyan if
- Your odds are realistic at Wesleyan (slightly easier admit)
- the College of Social Studies
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
Washington and Lee University
14.0% accept · Lexington, VA
Full profile
Wesleyan University
16.5% accept · Middletown, Connecticut
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.