Acceptance Rate
57%
Avg. SAT
1390
75th percentile
“Step into America's colonial past at this riverside liberal arts gem where George Washington's books still line the shelves and small classes spark big ideas.”
Chestertown, MD
Location
Town
Campus Setting
You'll trace your footsteps back to 1782 when Maryland chartered Washington College as the state's first higher education institution, with George Washington himself donating books from his Mount Vernon library and sending his nephew to study here. Nestled in Chestertown, a preserved 18th-century town on Maryland's Eastern Shore, this place hums with Revolutionary War echoes—think cobblestone streets, colonial mansions, and the Chester River lapping at your doorstep. Students who thrive here crave intimate discussions over lectures, cherish history-soaked traditions, and don't mind trading urban buzz for kayaking commutes and crab feasts; it's for the introspective explorer who'll volunteer at the local historical society rather than chase nightlife. The tradeoff? Chestertown's sleepy vibe (population under 6,000) means weekends often mean road trips to Annapolis or Baltimore, and the small size curtails the diversity and big-name events you'd find elsewhere.
Photo Gallery
+43
+35
Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Test Policy
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Average GPA
Application Fee
Academics
Student-Faculty Ratio
Programs Offered
Full-Time Faculty
Women Faculty
Research Spending
Degree Levels Offered
In classrooms capped at 15-20, you'll debate ethics with professors who know your name and host you for dinner, fueled by a 9:1 student-faculty ratio that dwarfs many peers. The writing program stands out, with its Clifton Miller Writing Program churning out polished theses amid Chesapeake-inspired environmental studies—think fieldwork monitoring oyster populations or climate impacts on the bay. Research kicks off freshman year, like partnering with the Center for the Environment & Society on local ecology projects, though don't expect massive labs; the intellectual culture rewards curious tinkerers over grade-grubbers, with honors theses often leading to publications. Tradeoffs hit if you crave specialized STEM tracks or Ivy-level research funding—this is collaborative liberal arts, not a research powerhouse.
Student Body
Total Enrollment
923 undergrad • 0 grad
Undergraduate
Graduate
International
White
67%
Black / African American
9%
Hispanic / Latino
9%
Asian
3%
Other / Multi-racial
13%
Campus Life
Campus Setting
Chestertown, MD
Varsity Athletics
NCAA Athletics
Picture a typical week: Monday philosophy seminar, Tuesday crew practice on the river (yes, you'll row competitively), Thursday open mic at the sommelier-led wine tasting club, and Saturday's tailgate for Shoremen soccer amid fall foliage. Campus life revolves around resilient traditions like the annual George Washington Birthday Convocation, where the president reads his Farewell Address from the original steps, or the Circumnavigators Club plotting global treks. Four residential halls foster tight bonds—think late-night dorm debates over board games—with 90% living on campus, but the Greek scene stays low-key (20% involvement). The vibe skews friendly and outdoorsy, with bonfires and bay swims, yet winters chill with wind off the water, and social dynamics can feel insular if you're not into nature hikes or the modest party circuit; city kids might itch for more action.
Housing
On-Campus Housing
Housing Capacity
Meal Plan Available
Average Room & Board
Athletics
Athletic Association
Centennial Conference
ROTC & Veteran Support
Veteran’s Programs Available
Yellow Ribbon Program (Post-9/11 GI Bill)
Yes
Credit for military training
Yes
Dedicated point of contact for veteran support services
Yes
Cost & Aid
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
Room & Board
Estimated Cost
Financial Aid
Students Receiving Aid
Receiving Pell Grants
Average Grant
Average Federal Loan
Net Annual Cost by Household Income
Household Income
Avg. Net Cost
$0 – $30K
$4,336
$30K – $48K
$11,247
$48K – $75K
$12,214
$75K – $110K
$23,465
$110K+
$41,884
Apply for Financial Aid
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Outcomes & Earnings
Retention Rate
84%
4 Years Graduation Rate
68%
6 Years Graduation Rate
73%
Median 10-Year Earnings
$65,518
84% of first-time, full-time students complete their freshman year at Washington College and return in the fall. 68% of first-time, full-time students graduate in 4 years, and 73% graduate within 6 years.
Graduation Rate
4-year grads
68%
4-6 years
5%
Non-grad
27%
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Key Statistics
Type
Private
Tuition
$50,626
Acceptance
57%
Undergrads
923
4-Year Grad Rate
68%
Endowment
$286M
Chestertown, MD 21620-1438
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