The red-brick Colonnade on the front lawn is the image most people know of Washington and Lee, a small, highly selective university in Lexington, Virginia. Its roots go back to 1749. About 1,900 undergraduates study liberal arts and business, and a small law school sits on the same campus. A student-run honor system shapes daily life, down to exams taken without a proctor in the room.
Lexington, Virginia, United States
Official website: wlu.edu
1749
Private liberal arts university
About 1,900 undergraduates
Washington and Lee School of Law
$67,000 – $71,000
Tuition and fees before financial aid
$17,000 – $20,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on wlu.edu before you apply.
BS Business Administration
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100
BA Economics
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100
BS Accounting
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100
BA Politics
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100
Juris Doctor
DoctorateDuration
36 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100
A student-run honor system trusted across campus.
Business and accounting through the Williams School.
The historic Colonnade and a small-town campus.
Graduates join banks, consultancies and law firms, especially in New York, DC and Charlotte.
Alumni networks are close and very active.
Bachelor's graduates can apply for OPT, with extensions for STEM majors.
Undergrad
1 Jan 2027
Postgrad
No PG intake
Undergraduates live on or near campus, and Virginia Military Institute is right next door. Lexington's small downtown is a short walk away.
Lexington sits in the Shenandoah Valley with the Blue Ridge Mountains close by. Hiking and rivers are easy to reach. Roanoke is about an hour south.
Form I-20 issued by Washington and Lee University
Proof of funds for one academic year
SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
Completed DS-160 online application
US embassy or consulate interview
Passport valid six months beyond stay
Early Decision I closes around 1 November. Early Decision II and Regular Decision close around 1 January 2027. Applications go through the Common App or QuestBridge.
First-year students start in September. The academic year includes a short spring term.
You'll need an F-1 visa. Once you accept your offer and send proof of funding, Washington and Lee University issues the Form I-20. After that it's the SEVIS fee, the DS-160 form and an interview at a US embassy or consulate.
Business administration, economics, accounting and politics are popular. Admission is very selective and holistic. International applicants whose first language isn't English need about TOEFL 100 or IELTS 7.0.
W&L meets the full demonstrated need of admitted students, and international students can receive need-based aid. The Johnson Scholarship covers a large share of costs for a small group of students. Check international eligibility on the aid pages.
