Washington & Jefferson College

“One of America's oldest liberal arts colleges, forging adaptive thinkers and future-ready leaders just 30 miles from Pittsburgh.”

Washington & Jefferson College is one of the oldest liberal arts colleges in the United States, tracing its founding to 1781 — the same year George Washington led the Continental Army to victory at Yorktown. Located in Washington, Pennsylvania, about 30 miles south of Pittsburgh, W&J's compact 60-acre campus anchors a thriving small city while providing easy access to the economic, cultural, and professional resources of a major metropolitan region. The college enrolls approximately 1,306 undergraduates, offering an intellectually rigorous and deeply personal educational experience where students are known by name, faculty offices are always open, and class sizes average around 15 students. W&J's most distinctive feature is its test-blind admissions policy — the college does not consider SAT or ACT scores in any admission decisions, even if submitted, reflecting a steadfast belief in holistic evaluation and equitable access. The college offers more than 60 areas of study, including popular majors in Business Administration, Biology, Psychology, Computer Science, Biochemistry, and Political Science. Dual-degree programs in engineering, environmental management, and health professions allow students to combine W&J's liberal arts foundation with professional graduate training. The college consistently earns recognition for student outcomes, ranking in the top 15% nationally for salary impact and in the top 60 for social mobility in the Wall Street Journal rankings. Campus life at W&J is shaped by proud traditions stretching back nearly 250 years, a passionate NCAA Division III athletics culture, and a tight-knit community where students, faculty, and staff share a genuine sense of purpose. The proximity to Pittsburgh opens unparalleled internship, research, and career opportunities in finance, technology, healthcare, and the arts. With a 10-year median alumni salary of approximately $67,918 and an all-admitted international student grant of $17,000, W&J delivers outstanding long-term value for both domestic and international students.