University of Virginia vs Washington and Lee University

Washington and Lee University is the more selective of the two at 14%, versus 17% at University of Virginia. Here is how they compare on selectivity, test scores, and what they weigh, plus a free way to estimate your odds at each.

University of Virginia
Highly selective
17%
acceptance rate
SAT 75th pct: 1510
Public · Virginia
Washington and Lee University
Highly selective
14%
acceptance rate
SAT 75th pct: 1470
Private · Virginia

University of Virginia vs Washington and Lee University: the differences that matter

How University of Virginia and Washington and Lee University stack up on selectivity, scores, and what they value.

Washington and Lee University is meaningfully harder to get into, admitting about 14% of applicants versus 17% at University of Virginia, a gap of roughly 3 percentage points. Treat Washington and Lee University as the bigger reach of the two when you build your list.

The two also read applications a little differently. University of Virginia leans more on a similar mix of factors, while Washington and Lee University puts more weight on application essay, recommendations, talent / ability. The same profile can land differently at each, which is why a per-school estimate matters more than a single GPA.

On test scores, University of Virginia's admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1510 and Washington and Lee University's is around 1470. Admitted students at University of Virginia post somewhat higher scores. Run your own numbers below to see where you stand at each.

What each school weighs

Factors either school weighs heavily, side by side.

FactorUniversity of VirginiaWashington and Lee University
Rigor of secondary school recordvery importantvery important
Academic GPAvery importantvery important
Standardized test scoresimportantimportant
Application essayimportantvery important
Recommendationsimportantvery important
Extracurricular activitiesimportantimportant
Talent / abilityimportantvery important
Character / personal qualitiesimportantvery important
Calculate your chances at both →

Frequently asked questions

Is University of Virginia or Washington and Lee University harder to get into?

Washington and Lee University is harder to get into, with a 14% acceptance rate versus 17% at University of Virginia.

What's the difference in SAT scores between University of Virginia and Washington and Lee University?

University of Virginia's admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1510, and Washington and Lee University's is around 1470.

What are my chances at University of Virginia and Washington and Lee University?

That depends on your full profile. CollegeCalcAI gives a free, personalized estimate for each school in a few minutes.