Washington and Lee Graduation Rate & Retention Rates

Washington and Lee University 2023 Graduation & Retention Report

How many Washington and Lee first-year students return for their second year? How many graduate and how long does it take them? On this page we'll explore Washington and Lee retention rates, graduation rates, drop out rates and more.

• Washington and Lee Retention Rate
• Washington and Lee Graduation Rate
  • First Time Undergrads Attending Full Time
  • First Time Undergrads Attending Part Time
  • Non-First Time Undergrads Attending Full Time
  • Non-First Time Undergrads Attending Part Time
• Washington and Lee Drop Out Rate
• Methodology & References

Washington and Lee Retention Rate

Freshmen retention rate refers to the percentage of first-time / full-time students who return for their second year.

With 97% students making it past their freshmen year, Washington and Lee has freshmen retention rates above the national average.

Nationwide, the average first to second year retention rate is 70.57%.

When looking at just colleges and universities in Virginia, the average is 69.66%.

Washington and Lee Graduation Rates

There were approximately 456 students in the class of 2015. How many of them actually completed their degree in a timely fashion?

89% of the cohort completed their degree in four years, 92% in six years, and 92% in eight years.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, a student is considered to have graduated on time if they complete their degree within six years, making the official Washington and Lee graduation rate 92%.

How long does it take to get a bachelor's degree at Washington and Lee? The standard length of time for most students is 4.05 years.

Washington and Lee Graduation Rates vs. National Average

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Washington and Lee Drop Out Rate

Approximately 41 students or 8% of the cohort did not complete their degree within eight years.

What happened to the 41 students who did not complete their degree?

• 0 are still enrolled.

• 35 transferred to another institution.

• Washington and Lee lost contact with the remaining 6 who we assumed dropped out.

Washington and Lee Graduation Rates by Race/Ethnicity

Some Students Take More Time To Graduate

Some schools have mainly first-time, full-time students, while others cater to part-time students, transfer students, or adult learners. For a variety of reasons first-time, full-time students under the age of 25 are usually more likely to graduate in four years.

Traditional Students:

First-time, full-time students under the age of 25.

Non-Traditional Students:

Any student that is not first-time, full-time, and under the age of 25.

The majority of students at Washington and Lee are considered 'traditional students' who are first-time attending full-time.

Comparing the graduation rates of specific cohorts shown below will be more revealing than the overall statistics shared above.

First-Time / Full-Time Washington and Lee Graduation Rates

First-time / full-time students at Washington and Lee University represent 99% of the students in the class of 2015, and 99.34% of Washington and Lee bachelor's degree graduations.

With a four-year graduation rate of 89%, first-time students in the Washington and Lee class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were more likely than average to graduate on time.

After six years, the Washington and Lee graduation rate was 92%, and by the eight year mark, 92% of the cohort had completed their degree.

Nationwide, the average graduation rate for first-time undergraduates attending classes full-time is 37.92% after four years, 46.43% after six years, and 47.82% after eight years.

Washington and Lee First-Time / Full-Time Graduation Rate vs. National Average

First-Time / Full-Time Washington and Lee Drop Out Rates

40 first-time / full-time students or 8% did not complete their degree within eight years.

Of those who did not finish:

• 0 are still enrolled.

• 34 transferred to another institution.

• Washington and Lee lost contact with the remaining 6 who we assumed dropped out.

First-Time / Part-Time Graduation Rates

First-time / part-time students at Washington and Lee University represent 0.20% of the students in the class of 2015.

With a six-year graduation rate of 100%, first-time, part-time students in the Washington and Lee class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were more likely than average to graduate on time.

After eight years, the graduation rate was 100%.

Nationwide, the average graduation rate for first-time undergraduates attending classes part-time is: 14.37% after four years, 21.59% after six years, 23.72% after eight years.

First-Time / Part-Time Washington and Lee Graduation Rates vs. National Average

Non First-Time / Full-Time Students

3 Washington and Lee students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 0.60% of the students in the class of 2015.

Non first-time students could include transfer students or adults who have returned to school after an absense.

With a six year graduation rate of 67%, returning students in the class of 2015 and attended classes full-time had a graduation rate higher than the national average for students in this category.

After eight years, the graduation rate was 67%.

Nationwide, the average graduation rate for non first-time undergraduates attending classes full-time is: 49.57% after four years, 53.83% after six years, and 55.07% after eight years.

Washington and Lee Non First-Time / Full-Time Graduation Rate vs. National Average

Non First-Time / Full-Time Washington and Lee Drop Out Rates

1 non first-time / part-time students or 33% did not complete their degree within eight years.

Of those who did not finish:

• 0 are still enrolled.

• 1 transferred to another institution.

• Washington and Lee lost contact with the remaining 0 who we assumed dropped out.

Non First-Time / Part-Time Graduation Rates

Unfortunately, we don’t have access to data on Washington and Lee returning, part-time students.

More Resources:

• An Explanation of Freshman Retention Rates.

• How Common is it to Transfer to a Different College?

• Are Non-Traditional Students Less Likely to Graduate?

• How Many People Drop-Out of College?

• How Average Time to Graduate Can Affect the Value of Your Degree.

References

• National Center for Education Statistics

• Image Credit: By User:BlueGold73 under License