George Washington gave fifty guineas and his name to this college on Maryland's Eastern Shore when it was chartered in 1782. Washington College is small, with around 1,000 students, and sits in Chestertown on the Chester River. Environmental science, English and business are among its strongest subjects, helped by a river field station and the Sophie Kerr Prize for student writers. It's a quiet, close place.
Chestertown, Maryland, United States
Official website: washcoll.edu
1782
Private liberal arts college
Around 1,000 students
$50,000 – $54,000
Tuition and fees, before scholarships
$13,000 – $16,000
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 washcoll.edu before you apply.
BS Environmental Science
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 80
BA Business Management
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 80
BA English
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 80
BA Psychology
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 80
The Sophie Kerr Prize, one of the largest US undergraduate literary awards.
River and Chesapeake Bay fieldwork through its environmental centre.
A small college with a colonial-era charter.
Environmental graduates work in conservation, policy and consulting around the Chesapeake.
Business and English graduates head to Baltimore, Washington DC and Philadelphia.
Bachelor's graduates can apply for OPT to work in the US.
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
No PG intake
The campus is a short walk from Chestertown's brick colonial waterfront. Students row and sail on the Chester River, and most live on campus.
Chestertown is small and rural. Baltimore is about 90 minutes away and Philadelphia a little further. Costs are low but a car helps.
Form I-20 issued by Washington College
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
Washington College has Early Decision and Early Action deadlines in autumn and then admits on a rolling basis. International students should apply by early spring for fall.
New students start in late August.
It's the F-1 student visa. Get your I-20 from Washington College first (they need your deposit and bank documents), then pay the SEVIS fee, complete the DS-160 and attend the visa interview. Book the interview early in peak season.
Environmental science, business management, English and psychology are popular. Admission looks at grades, essays and references. Non-native English speakers need about IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 80.
The college gives merit scholarships to most students, including international students. Awards are decided at admission.
