Is Washington and Lee test optional?

Yes. You can apply without a score. A common rule is to send it if it's at or above 1480 and hold it if it's under.

What is Washington and Lee's acceptance rate?

14% of applicants were admitted in 2024–25, according to the college's Common Data Set or, where that's missing, IPEDS, the federal college survey. In fall 2024, 1,147 of 8,213 applicants were admitted. Applications rose 53%, from 5,377 in 2015 to 8,213 in 2024, and Washington and Lee's admit rate went from 24% to 14%.

What ACT score do you need for Washington and Lee?

20% of first-year students sent an ACT, and they scored 33–34, with a median of 34. On the official ACT–SAT concordance, their SAT range of 1430–1540 works out to about 32–35.

Why might Washington and Lee's SAT range look high?

Only 24% of enrolled students sent an SAT. The range counts only those who did, and students with lower scores tend to hold theirs back.

How many students get off the waitlist at Washington and Lee?

67 of the 735 students who stayed on the waitlist were admitted, or 9.1%, per the Common Data Set 2024–25.

All colleges

What SAT score do you need for Washington and Lee? (Middle 50%: 1430–1540)

First-year students at Washington and Lee who sent an SAT scored 1430–1540, with a median of 1480 (Common Data Set 2024–25). Washington and Lee admits 14% of applicants and is test optional.

Washington and Lee University · Lexington, VA

Where your score lands at Washington and Lee

First-year students who sent an SAT: 1430–1540, median 1480

Your score

Middle 50% of admitted students Median Fewer than half sent a score, so the range runs high

Enter your SAT or ACT to see which tier Washington and Lee is for you and whether to send your score.

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Washington and Lee by the numbers

Admit rate: 14%
Middle 50% SAT: 1430–1540
Median SAT: 1480
About on the ACT: 32–35
Sent an SAT: 24%

Test optional · checked Nov 9, 2026 · Washington and Lee admissions · SAT range from the Common Data Set, 2024–25; admit rate from it or IPEDS

Washington and Lee admit rate over 10 years

Applications rose 53%, from 5,377 in 2015 to 8,213 in 2024, and Washington and Lee's admit rate went from 24% to 14%.

Show the numbers

Fall	Applied	Admitted	Admit rate
2024	8,213	1,147	14%
2023	6,820	1,184	17%
2022	7,224	1,225	17%
2021	6,621	1,248	19%
2020	4,998	1,225	25%
2019	6,178	1,147	19%
2018	5,855	1,239	21%
2017	5,455	1,200	22%
2016	5,101	1,203	24%
2015	5,377	1,284	24%

In fall 2024, 472 of the 1,147 admitted students enrolled. Applicants and admits from IPEDS, the federal college survey, by fall of entry.

What each SAT score means at Washington and Lee

Which tier your score puts them in, and whether it's worth sending.

Your SATTierSend it?

Under 1380Far reachHold
1380–1470ReachHold
1480 and upReachSend

1250135014501550

Tiers here use only your SAT and their admit rate. Essays, activities and recommendations still decide most admissions at selective colleges.

Washington and Lee SAT sections, ACT and class rank

Scores of enrolled first-year students who sent one, by percentile.

Test	25th	Median	75th
SAT Math	720	750	780
SAT Reading and Writing	710	730	760
SAT total	1430	1480	1540
ACT composite	33	34	34

Of enrolled first-year students, 24% sent an SAT and 20% sent an ACT. Common Data Set 2024–25.

Top 10% of their class: 77%; of new students who reported a rank

Washington and Lee waitlist

Waitlist

1,476 applicants were offered a spot, 735 took it, and 67 were admitted from it.

9.1%of students who stayed on the waitlist got in

Common Data Set 2024–25.

Washington and Lee cost and outcomes

What students pay after grants, how many finish, and what they earn.

Average net price: $23,781; per year, after grants
Graduate in 6 years: 94%
Median earnings: $94,810; 10 years after starting
Undergraduates: 1,896

College Scorecard, 2022–23, from the US Department of Education. Net price averages federal-aid students across family incomes.

Colleges like Washington and Lee

Similar SAT ranges and admit rates.

More colleges in Virginia

Every college for an SAT of1430 1480 1540

Sources

Washington and Lee Common Data Set 2024–25
SAT and ACT ranges, early decision, waitlist, GPA and class rank, as the college reported them.
College Navigator (IPEDS)
Applications, admissions and enrollment by year, from the federal college survey.
College Scorecard
Net price, graduation rate and earnings, from the US Department of Education.
Washington and Lee admissions
Test policy for 2026–27, checked Nov 9, 2026.
Washington and Lee website
Washington and Lee University

Updated Nov 9, 2026. Spot a number that's off? Email support@tryashore.com and we'll check it against the source.

Questions

Still have a question? support@tryashore.com

There's no cutoff. The middle 50% of first-year students who sent an SAT scored 1430–1540, and the median was 1480. At 1480 or higher you're above half of them. Washington and Lee admits 14% of applicants, so a top score keeps you in the running but doesn't decide it.

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SAT Math · 1 of 5

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A jacket's price is increased by 20% and then the new price is decreased by 20%. The final price is what percent of the original price?

A $96\%$
B $100\%$
C $104\%$
D $80\%$