“America's first federally chartered college, combining 250 years of history with hands-on learning on the banks of the Chesapeake.”
Washington College is a private liberal arts institution founded in 1782, making it the 10th oldest college in the United States and the first chartered by the newly independent American nation — an honor cemented when George Washington himself donated to and lent his name to the college. Set on a 112-acre campus in Chestertown, Maryland, on the banks of the Chester River just an hour from both Baltimore and Philadelphia, Washington College combines its extraordinary historical character with an intimate and experiential approach to undergraduate education. With an 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio and just over 900 undergraduates, every student at Washington College is known by name. The college's curriculum is built around direct engagement with ideas, people, and places. Its celebrated Signature Centers — including the George Washington Scholars Program, the Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience, and the Center for Environment and Society — offer undergraduates rare opportunities to curate museum exhibitions, conduct archival research, and pursue environmental fieldwork on the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Creative Writing is a particular strength, anchored by a Visiting Writer's Program and journalism track. Business Management, Environmental Studies, and Psychology round out the most popular majors among 34 offered. Campus life at Washington College is active and close-knit. More than 80 clubs and organizations span academic interests, performance arts, outdoor pursuits, and community service. Athletics are central to campus identity — over 50% of students compete — with lacrosse commanding particular passion and national recognition. Traditions including the Spring Campus Green Festival, Fall Homecoming, and first-day-of-classes cookouts help a small campus feel like a true community. Students live on campus through their junior year, with seniors given the option to move off campus.
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
National Universities
US News 2026
Lowest Acceptance Rates — Liberal Arts Colleges
US News 2026
Test Optional — You can submit scores if they help your case, but they're not required.
Official SourceEarly Decision
Binding; priority for merit scholarship consideration
Priority Scholarship
Recommended deadline for strongest merit scholarship consideration
Regular Decision
Rolling review; apply early for best consideration
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Tuition & Fees (All Students)
$54,356
/yr
Beyond the sticker price — every named scholarship, the financial aid policy, need-aware notes, and a personalized net-cost estimate.
How life on campus actually feels — clubs, sports, traditions, housing realities, and how the school integrates with its city.
Strong programs in writing, history, language, philosophy, and performance arts grounded in the college's Chesapeake setting and American heritage.
Programs examining human behavior, society, politics, and economics with access to Washington DC policy circles.
Field-intensive science programs uniquely positioned at the edge of the Chesapeake Bay watershed, the nation's largest estuary.
Experiential learning hubs offering undergraduates rare access to archival research, museum curation, environmental fieldwork, and American studies.
4 years
One of the most recognized programs at a school of its size, featuring a Visiting Writer's Program, journalism track, and a culture of literary engagement.
4 years
Field-based learning in the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem through the Center for Environment and Society, combining science, policy, and hands-on conservation work.
4 years
Washington College's most popular major, offering specialized minors rare for a college of its size and proximity to Baltimore and Philadelphia business communities.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $55,326
Net-cost estimate is US-resident-only — international applicants are typically excluded from need-based aid at most schools and should treat the sticker price as the planning baseline.
