Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Washington, Pennsylvania
81.5% Acceptance Rate
Washington & Jefferson College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
81.5%Acceptance Rate
3.54Avg GPA
1130Avg SAT
$65,117Annual Cost
$67,918Grad Salary
29.4%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
81.5%
Avg GPA
3.54
Avg SAT
1130
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1090–1160
Need-Based Aid
29.4% receive Pell
Washington & Jefferson College is a private, selective liberal arts institution in Pennsylvania known for its commitment to academic excellence, critical inquiry, and character development. With a strong focus on the liberal arts and a supportive campus community, the college fosters an environment that encourages intellectual and personal growth. Its emphasis on providing a high-value, well-rounded education makes it a premier choice for students seeking a formative and values-based collegiate experience.
Washington & Jefferson College Acceptance Rate
Washington & Jefferson College (WJ College) maintains an inclusive admission policy. With an acceptance rate of 81.5%, the institution prioritizes accessibility and opportunity for all qualified students.
Admissions Guidelines
- Inclusive Enrollment: Emphasis is placed on meeting basic eligibility and high school completion.
- Launchpad Policy: Ideal for students looking to build a GPA for future transfer or career certification.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 81.5% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.54 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.34 – 3.53
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.09
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Washington & Jefferson College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for Washington & Jefferson College is December 1 for Early Decision applicants, with additional plans listed below. Admission decisions are typically released by December 15.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 132 days left — Early Decision
Early Decision
December 1
Decision by: December 15
Early Action
January 15
Decision by: February 15
Regular Decision
March 1
Decision by: April 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (December 1, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
WJ College GPA Requirement
The average GPA of the admitted students at WJ College is 3.54. WJ College is highly selective.
Mostly A's with a few B's will keep you competitive. Taking AP/IB courses related to your field will improve your chances.
Note: This is an unweighted GPA on a 4.0 scale. Students with AP or IB courses will typically have a weighted GPA of 3.74-3.94 for this same academic profile.If your GPA is between 3.24 and 3.54, a strong SAT or ACT score is recommended.
WJ College GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.
Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.
Admissions at WJ College utilize a Holistic Review process. With an average admitted GPA of 3.54, the following table illustrates how your specific academic profile aligns with institutional expectations.
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.54 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.34 – 3.53
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.14 – 3.33
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.13
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Expert Insight: 2026 Evaluation Metrics
- W&J is test-blind, not merely test-optional - SAT/ACT scores are not considered in admission decisions even if submitted, per the college's current admissions page.
- The Magellan Project funds ~100 student-designed travel/research projects each year (roughly $3,000, 3-12 weeks) for first-years through juniors with a 2.5+ GPA.
- Formal Early Acceptance pathway with LECOM covers osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, and dental medicine, with the MCAT waived for the medicine track.
- The Temple University combined BS/MD program is the one selective exception to test-blind admission, expecting roughly a 1350+ SAT or 31+ ACT.
- The Rigor Metric: At WJ College, a slightly lower GPA (e.g., 3.8) in a transcript featuring multiple AP or IB courses is often prioritized over a 4.0 in a standard curriculum.
- The Upward Trend: If your early high school grades were lower, an upward trajectory in 11th and 12th grade demonstrates Academic Resilience.
Data Source: Verified via IPEDS and latest Common Data Set (CDS). Reviewed by our academic board led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at WJ College
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Washington & Jefferson College's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Washington & Jefferson College (WJ College) Test Requirements
In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.
Can I Get Into WJ College Without SAT or ACT?
Washington & Jefferson College does not require admission test scores (SAT/ACT) during the application process and does not recommend that students provide these scores. But it is better to submit the test score if you have performed well in the test. It gives an extra opportunity to showcase your skills and competencies and hence will improve your chances of admission. It is advisable to appear multiple times in the test unless you score well above the average SAT / ACT score of the admitted students. Normally, students may appear in the test 2 to 3 times to improve their scores. But if your score is not up to the mark and is less than the national or state average, then it is better not to submit the score as it will impact negatively.
Washington & Jefferson College Average SAT Score: 1130
The average SAT score of the admitted students at Washington & Jefferson College is 1130 on the 1600 SAT scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1130 — Less Competitive
This score makes it less competitive for SAT test scores. You need to put average efforts to score 1130 on the SAT.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1160 SAT) to stand out. If your scores are below average, consider retaking the test. Washington & Jefferson College allows Score Choice for the SAT and Superscoring for the ACT, giving you flexibility to submit your best scores.
If your score is below 1090, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at WJ College. Retaking the test multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants take the SAT two or three times to achieve their best score. There is no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 1130 | 1090 | 1160 |
It means that if you have scored less than 1090 then you are below most of the admitted students at WJ College and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 1160 or more, your chances of admission are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer scores than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of the upper 25% of the students.
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1150
Can I get into Washington & Jefferson College (WJ College) with a 1150 SAT?
With a 1150 SAT Score, your chances of admission at Washington & Jefferson College (WJ College) are good but the admission staff at WJ College tests your all-around personality and your academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission. You need to show better performance in all areas. An equally high GPA, taking IB or AP Courses and your role in leadership activities will increase your chances of admission. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, your chances of admission are high.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for WJ College
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
WJ College is accessible to students who show core competency. The focus should be on proving readiness for college-level work and securing financial aid.
Understand That W&J Is Test-Blind, Not Just Test-Optional
W&J's own admissions page states the college is test-blind: SAT/ACT scores are not considered in admission decisions even if submitted, a stricter policy than the "test-optional" label many third-party sites still use. Since scores carry zero weight, don't spend application time chasing a marginal retake - redirect that energy toward the 250-500 word personal statement, which the college's own holistic-review order lists as a distinct, weighted component, after GPA and course rigor, before extracurriculars, rather than an optional add-on.
Use the Magellan Project as a Concrete Talking Point, Not Just a Perk
W&J funds student-designed travel and research projects (the Magellan Project) for first-years through juniors with a 2.5+ GPA, covering roughly $3,000 for 3-12 week independent projects - about 100 are funded each year. In your personal statement or an interview, naming a specific, plausible Magellan project idea tied to your intended major, not a generic "travel the world" pitch, signals you've researched the school's actual distinguishing program rather than its brand name.
Leverage the LECOM Early Acceptance Pathway if Pre-Health Is the Goal
W&J has a formal Early Acceptance Program with Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) covering its D.O., Pharm.D., and D.M.D. programs - LECOM interviews candidates before or within their first two years at W&J, and students accepted into the osteopathic medicine track through this pathway are not required to take the MCAT. If medicine, pharmacy, or dentistry is the goal, contact the Pre-Health Professions Committee during your first semester, not senior year, since the interview window opens early.
Know That the Temple University BS/MD Track Is the One Selective Exception
W&J is test-blind for general admission, but its combined-degree partnership with Temple's medical school is the one program where standardized testing still matters - it typically expects a 1350+ SAT (no subscore below 600) or a 31+ ACT alongside a roughly 3.95 unweighted GPA, and weighs research, shadowing, and clinical exposure over course rigor alone. If this specific track is your target, treat it as its own separate, more selective application rather than assuming the test-blind policy applies universally.
Expert Insight:
Because W&J is genuinely easy to get into on paper (roughly 80% overall acceptance) and doesn't weight test scores at all, some applicants submit a bare-minimum application and skip the personal statement entirely - but the college's own admissions page lists the personal statement as a distinct, ordered factor in holistic review, and skipping it removes one of the only differentiating pieces of your file at a school that isn't looking at test scores to break ties.
WJ College Profile
Full Name
Washington & Jefferson College (WJ College)
City
Washington
State
Pennsylvania
ZIP Code
15301
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a WJ College Degree Worth It?
Getting into WJ College can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. WJ College offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision.
Please note that the average household income of the admitted students at WJ College is $61,400 and the graduate unemployment rate is 2.96%.
How much does a degree from WJ College Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at Washington & Jefferson College is $65,117. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Washington & Jefferson College is much less than this.
29.4% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 77 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to WJ College and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At Washington & Jefferson College, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist WJ College as your choice in the form.
How much does a WJ College Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $67,918. An average WJ College graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4–6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is $40,595.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Washington & Jefferson College. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 1088 | 21 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
| Pacific Union College | Angwin, CA | 1093 | 22 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Washington & Jefferson College. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
| Western Colorado University | Gunnison, CO | 1130 | 25 |
| Lynn University | Boca Raton, FL | 1136 | 25 |
| University of West Florida | Pensacola, FL | 1137 | 24 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Washington & Jefferson College. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 1194 | 26 |
Degree Programs at WJ College
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About WJ College Admissions
Graduates of this university typically earn a moderate salary, $67,918 annually, with some fluctuation based on the field.
The tuition fee at this university is quite high, approximately $65,117 or more per year, so it is important to consider additional funding options.
29.4% of students receive a Pell Grant at this institution. Your chances of need-based aid are moderate and depend primarily on your household income. Filing FAFSA early significantly improves your chances of receiving the maximum available grant amount.
The acceptance rate of Washington & Jefferson College is 81.5% which is relatively high, above 20%, making it somewhat easier to gain admission compared to other top-tier universities.
The average GPA of admitted students is 3.54. This reflects the competitive academic profile expected from applicants.
While there is no single cutoff that guarantees a rejection, admission staff uses your GPA to determine if you are a best fit. If you have at least a 3.24, you are in the standard pool. If you are below a 3.24, we need to focus on your personal essay and letters of recommendation to explain the context behind your grades.
If your GPA is 3.14 or less, it may make admission difficult. However, your chances may improve if you have strong test scores, extracurricular activities, and essays. But this does not mean that you must not apply, or you do not have any chances. With additional AP courses, you can increase your chances even with this GPA.
While the average GPA of admitted students is 3.54, applicants with lower GPAs can still be considered if they have strong test scores, extracurriculars, and compelling personal essays that demonstrate resilience and potential.
Admission to Washington & Jefferson College is based on SAT, and a strong SAT score is essential. Aim for scores above 1130 for the best chances, although the overall application strength also matters. Your SAT must be in the range of 1090–1160.
The application deadline for Washington & Jefferson College is December 1 for Early Decision applicants. Admission decisions are released by December 15.
The scholarship priority deadline is December 1, 2026. Submit your FAFSA before this date for maximum aid consideration.
Yes, many students successfully transfer each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.
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