At $23,911/yr net price, Washington and Lee University graduates earn $94,810/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $60,810/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $23,911 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $95,644 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $94,810/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$60,810/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 1.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 94.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $19,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $76/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $887/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $6,983/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $9,222/yr |
| $110,001+ | $42,745/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $91,744 | |
| Mathematics. | Bachelor | $76,460 | |
| Law. | Doctoral | $72,642 | $97,335 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $66,449 | $16,750 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $56,641 | |
| Economics. | Bachelor | $55,964 | $23,399 |
| Journalism. | Bachelor | $42,682 | |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor | $41,007 | |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor | $37,593 | |
| History. | Bachelor | $30,409 |
The Risk Factor
94.9% of students at Washington and Lee University graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
Washington and Lee gives you one of the strongest financial returns you'll find at a private liberal arts school. Median earnings ten years out clear $94,000 against a median debt of $19,500, meaning most graduates carry less than a single year's salary in loans. A 94.9% graduation rate and 95.4% retention mean you're very likely to actually finish, which is where most of the ROI risk at other schools lives.
Computer science is the clear earnings leader here, paying roughly $35,000 more than economics a decade after graduation. That gap matters because W&L is known as a business and economics school, yet the quantitative majors pay off harder. Accounting stands out on value: it pairs solid pay with the lowest debt of the listed programs. Economics is the weak spot on the money side, combining the lowest earnings among these five with the highest debt load. If you're set on economics, you're paying more to earn less.
The financial risk here is concentration in the humanities and social sciences that don't appear in the top earnings programs. A small residential school in rural Lexington doesn't have a local tech or finance market feeding you jobs, so your career depends on the alumni network and relocating for work.
The net price tiers are the real story. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay under $900 a year, and under $30,000 you pay almost nothing. That makes W&L a strong bet for lower-income families. The jump is steep in the middle: at $48,000 to $75,000 you pay roughly $7,000. Above $110,000 you pay $42,745, close to full freight. If you're a high-income family paying that sticker, the return is still positive but you're financing most of it yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Washington and Lee University worth the cost?
With graduates earning $94,810 after 10 years and relatively low debt of $19,500, Washington and Lee offers solid ROI despite its selective nature. The strong graduation rate of 95% and net price of $23,911 make it a reasonable investment for most students.
What are the highest paying majors at Washington and Lee University?
Computer Science leads with $91,744 in median earnings, followed by Mathematics at $76,460 and Law at $72,642. Business majors earn $56,641, which is lower than the school's overall graduate average.
How much debt do Washington and Lee University graduates have?
The median debt is $19,500, which is manageable given graduate earnings of nearly $95,000. This debt-to-income ratio makes Washington and Lee less risky than many private colleges.
Does Washington and Lee University provide good financial aid?
The net price of $23,911 is significantly lower than the sticker price, indicating substantial aid for many students. However, aid varies widely based on family income, so run the net price calculator before assuming affordability.