Washington College is a private, selective, independent liberal arts college located on a 112 acre (453,000 m²) campus in Chestertown, Maryland on the Delmarva Peninsula. Maryland granted Washington College its charter in 1782. George Washington supported the founding of WC by consenting to have the "College at Chester" named in his honor, through generous financial support, and through service on the College's Board of Visitors and Governors. Washington College is the nineteenth oldest college in the U.S. and was the first college chartered after American independence was gained. The school became coeducational in 1891.

Approximately 1,300 undergraduates and 100 graduate students attend Washington College, 47% from Maryland and the balance from 35 other states and forty foreign nations. Approximately 8% of the American undergraduates are minority students and approximately 8% are international citizens. Approximately 5% of the WC student body is "non-traditional" (25 years old or older). Approximately 80% of all students live in college residence halls; the rest commute either from off-campus housing or from home.

Annual tuition is $24,240 and total expenses per annum (including room, board, and fees) are $30,540. Approximately 85% of the student body receives some form of need-based financial aid or merit-based scholarship award.

The school has over 50 student clubs. Freshmen are required to live on-campus. On-campus housing is available for approximately 900 students. Most students (70-75%) stay on-campus over the weekend to participate in various social and recreational activities. Approximately 30% of students attend graduate school in the first year following graduation and approximately 45% do so within five years. Student/faculty ratio: 12/1. Average class size is 17. The school confers the degrees of Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Master of Arts (in English, Psychology & History)