Washington and Lee University School of Law is a private law school located in Lexington, Virginia. Founded in 1849, it is the oldest continually operating law school in the United States. It is a member of the Association of American Law Schools and is ranked highly by U.S. News & World Report, placing at #38 among all law schools in 2020. The school offers both full-time and part-time Juris Doctor degrees and various joint degree programs, including a JD/MBA program with the Washington & Lee University School of Business. The curriculum focuses on developing legal skills through experiential learning, such as through its externship program and its legal clinics. In addition to its academics, Washington & Lee also offers students opportunities to get involved through student organizations and publications such as the Law Review or Federalist Society.
This page focuses on national rankings, acceptance rates, program costs, and merit-based scholarships of Washington and Lee University School of Law, an accredited law program in the United States. Should you be interested in official name and common abbreviation of Washington and Lee University School of Law, please follow this link: https://www.abbreviationfinder.org/acronyms/wlu_washington-and-lee-university.html
Motto: Non incautus futuri
Established: 1849 by John White Brockenbrough ยท 1866 (merger with Washington College)
School type: Private school of law
Endowment: $85.7 million (2013)
Dean: Melanie D. Wilson
Location: Lexington, Virginia, U.S.
Enrollment: 383
USNWR ranking: 35th (2023)
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Ranking: Washington and Lee University
Washington and Lee University School of Law is ranked among the top law schools in the country. According to U.S. News & World Report, the school is ranked #1 in legal writing, #7 in clinical training, and #38 overall. Additionally, Washington and Lee is also highly regarded for its international law program and its moot court program, which places them among the top 10 programs nationally. The school has been consistently ranked among the top 40 law schools since 2001, and has been consistently within the top 20 most selective law schools since 2007. The faculty at Washington and Lee are highly respected within their respective fields of study, with many receiving numerous awards for their contributions to legal education. Additionally, students at Washington and Lee benefit from a wide variety of experiential learning opportunities such as externships, clinical experiences, pro bono work, internships abroad, as well as public service projects. These opportunities provide students with a well-rounded legal education that prepares them for all facets of a successful career in law.
| Top Law Schools of 2020 | |
|---|---|
| Score | 62 |
| Peer assessment score (5.0 highest) | 3.4 |
| Assessment score by lawyers/judges (5.0 highest) | 3.8 |
| 25th-75th percentile GPA scores for all students | 3.27-3.7 |
| 25th-75th percentile LSAT scores for all students | 160-166 |
| Overall acceptance rate | 33.3% |
| Student/faculty ratio | 9.5 |
| Graduates employed at graduation | 75.0% |
| Graduates known to be employed nine months after graduation | 93.3% |
| School’s bar passage rate for first-time test takers | 83.3% |
| State where the greatest number of first-time test takers took the bar | VA |
| Statewide bar passage rate for first-time test takers | 75.6% |
Tuition & Scholarships: Washington and Lee University
Washington and Lee University School of Law offers a competitive tuition rate for students who are enrolled full-time. The tuition for the 2021-2022 academic year is $56,400. In addition to the tuition rate, there are other related expenses that students may incur such as fees, books and supplies, and living expenses. To help offset these costs, Washington and Lee University School of Law offers several scholarship opportunities to its students. Scholarships are available through the University itself as well as through various foundations, organizations, and other sources. The school also offers need-based aid in the form of grants and loans. Additionally, Washington and Lee University School of Law provides merit-based scholarships to its most academically talented students. These scholarships are awarded based on a student’s academic achievements including their GPA, LSAT scores, and other criteria set by the admissions office. Each scholarship varies in terms of amount awarded and conditions associated with receiving it; however they all provide financial assistance to qualified applicants who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement or promise in law school studies.
| Financial Aid Office Information | |
|---|---|
| Financial aid application deadline | 02/15 |
| Financial aid director | Cynthia Hintze |
| Financial aid telephone | (540) 458-8729 |
| 2019-2020 Expenses | |
| Tuition | Full-time: $36,297 per year |
| Room and board | $9,250 |
| Books | $1,500 |
| Miscellaneous expenses | $6,728 |
| Is the tuition the same for first-, second-, and third-year students? | Yes |
| Does the university offer housing restricted to law students? | Yes |
| Does the university offer graduate student housing for which law students are eligible? | Yes |
| Does the university offer a public-interest scholarship program to current J.D. students? | Yes |
| 2019 Grants | |
| Percentage of full-time students receiving grants of less than one-half tuition | 43.7% |
| Percentage of part-time students receiving grants of less than one-half tuition | N/A |
| Percentage of full-time students receiving grants of one-half tuition or more but less than full | 18.4% |
| Percentage of part-time students receiving grants of one-half tuition or more but less than full | N/A |
| Percentage of full-time students receiving grants of full tuition | 2.0% |
| Percentage of part-time students receiving grants of full tuition | N/A |
| Percentage of full-time students receiving grants of more than full tuition | 0.0% |
| Percentage of part-time students receiving grants of more than full tuition | N/A |
| 25th percentile grant amount of aid per full-time recipient | $10,000 |
| Median grant amount of aid per full-time recipient (50th percentile) | $12,000 |
| 75th percentile grant amount of aid per full-time recipient | $18,500 |
| 25th percentile grant amount of aid per part-time recipient | N/A |
| Median grant amount of aid per part-time recipient (50th percentile) | N/A |
| 75th percentile grant amount of aid per part-time recipient | N/A |
| Indebtedness | |
| Average indebtedness of 2019 graduates who incurred law school debt | $86,814 |
| Proportion who borrowed | 96.5% |
| Does the school offer a loan repayment assistance program for 2019 J.D. graduates? | Yes |
