Washington and Lee vs Claflin University
Washington and Lee University, a private liberal arts institution in Lexington, Virginia, and Claflin University, a private historically Black university in Orangeburg, South Carolina, offer distinct educational experiences. Washington and Lee boasts a highly selective admissions process with an acceptance rate of 20%, while Claflin University maintains a more open admissions policy with an acceptance rate of 75%. Both universities offer a range of undergraduate programs, with Washington and Lee excelling in fields like business, economics, and political science, while Claflin University is known for its strong programs in education, nursing, and social work. The student bodies at the two universities also differ, with Washington and Lee having a predominantly white student population and Claflin University having a predominantly Black student population. Additionally, Washington and Lee has a higher graduation rate of 89% compared to Claflin University's 48%. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more key differences and similarities between these two institutions and make
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![]() Claflin University |
![]() Washington and Lee University |
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Overview |
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Location | Orangeburg, South Carolina | Lexington, Virginia |
Campus setting | Town: Distant | Town: Distant |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | 4-1-4 |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 71.0% | 96.0% |
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Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Methodism | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 62.5% | 18.8% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$30
Graduate:
$50
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$60 |
SAT range | N/A | 1410 - 1530 |
ACT range | N/A | 32 - 35 |
Students submitting SAT score | 26.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 32.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 8,467 | 6,621 |
Total number of admissions given out | 5,289 | 1,248 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 315 | 484 |
Yield rate | 6.0% | 38.8% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $39,446 | $80,300 |
Average net price | $19,308 | $26,063 |
Tuition | $16,476 | $58,260 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,030
Meal plan:
$5,450
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Room/dormitory:
$8,600
Meal plan:
$7,670
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
97.0%
Average amount $13,431 |
56.0%
Average amount $51,537 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
80.0%
Average amount $6,294 |
13.0%
Average amount $4,878 |
Students taking out private loans |
2.0%
Average amount $9,735 |
6.0%
Average amount $25,474 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,779
Men 29.1% Women 70.9% |
1,857
Men 48.7% Women 51.3% |
Graduate students |
87
Men 29.9% Women 70.1% |
381
Men 48.8% Women 51.2% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | 22.2% | 81.2% |
International students | 2.3% | 5.0% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Distant | Town: Distant |
Dormitory capacity | 1,174 | 1,520 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | Yes |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | South Carolina Georgia Florida Michigan Missouri | Virginia North Carolina Texas New York Georgia |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 13:1 | 8:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 51.1% | 93.6% |
Dropout rate | 21.6% | 6.2% |
Transferred out | 25.4% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Human Resources Management and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
Sociology (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Journalism (Bachelor's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
History (Bachelor's Degrees)
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