What's the most expensive college in Virginia?

I've been looking at colleges in Virginia and I'm just wondering, which one is the most expensive out of them all? What factors could be driving up the costs at that particular institution?

The most expensive college in Virginia in terms of tuition is Washington and Lee University, a private liberal arts institution. Tuition rates here are significantly higher than those at public universities in the state, reaching costs of roughly around $61,000 per year for the 2024-25 academic year. However, bear in mind that these figures are general and may be subject to change.

Various factors can contribute to these high costs. As a private institution, Washington and Lee relies heavily on tuition and fees, along with its endowment, rather than state funding. Because private schools receive a far smaller subsidy from the government than public colleges do, tuition costs can be expected to be higher to make up that difference.

Furthermore, Washington and Lee spends comparably more per student, which could be another contributing factor. High levels of spending per student broadly correlate with more resources for individual students, smaller class sizes, more faculty members per student, and often richer curricular and co-curricular offerings—all of which can help explain why tuition prices might be higher.

Finally, the costs of private colleges often reflect their norms of educational excellence, commitment to student support and engagement, and mission-driven priorities. Those priorities may justify higher costs in the eyes of some students and families, especially those who are able to take full advantage of financial aid, scholarships, and other financing options that the school offers.