2022 - 2023 Tuition Letter

March 17, 2022

Dear W&L Parents and Family Members:

At a recent meeting, Washington and Lee's Board of Trustees approved the following tuition and fees for 2022-23:

• Tuition:  $60,590
• Room:  $8,945
• Board:  $7,975
• Student Activity Fee:  $590
• Student Technology Fee:  $320
• Student Health Fee:  $250

We are pleased that the current year has been much closer to a normal campus environment with in-person classes, full athletic participation and competitions, and in-person events and activities that play a vital role in our student experience and sense of community. While we continue to monitor the pandemic, we are hopeful that this trend will continue as we enter 2022-23. We are also pleased that despite some of the operating challenges we have faced in the past two years, we continue to build on the quality of the student experience through investments in facilities, people, and programs.

The university recently completed renovations in Elrod Commons, which include the new Center for Inclusion and Engagement, improved spaces for student organizations and programming, a new Executive Committee suite, and Student Affairs staff offices. This is the second major project completed under the current Strategic Plan, along with the Harte Center for Teaching and Learning. We are now in the planning stages for an additional academic building to support the Williams School of Commerce, Economics, and Politics as well as a new Student Health and Counseling Center. We anticipate breaking ground on both projects in the summer of 2023, subject to fundraising.

Our investments in people and programs include new positions in Student Affairs to help meet student demand for health and counseling services while also working to expand pre-orientation and recreation activities during the year. In addition, we are making the inaugural hires for the DeLaney Center, an interdisciplinary academic hub for teaching and research on Southern race relations, culture and politics.

While we believe in investing in what matters, the university makes a concentrated effort to operate as efficiently as possible. One way we measure this is by looking at administrative costs as a percent of instructional costs, a methodology that was developed by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni. In the most recently completed fiscal year, W&L's administrative cost ratio was 24.7%, making us one of the most efficient institutions within the top 25 liberal arts colleges by this measure. Our peers' average was 35.0%, and only two had a better ratio than W&L. We are also grateful for the dedication of our alumni, parents, and friends, whose generosity supports our distinctive educational experience. In 2021, 53% of the revenues were derived from philanthropy, which underwrites part of the cost of educating every undergraduate student. Tuition revenues accounted for 37% of total operating revenues.

At Washington and Lee, we pride ourselves on providing an incredible opportunity for those with incredible potential. We understand and appreciate the level of sacrifice you make on behalf of your child, and we will continue to strive to enhance the long-term value of a W&L education.

Cordially,

Steven G. McAllister
Treasurer and Vice President for Finance