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University of Mary Washington

University of Mary Washington

Fredericksburg, VA · Suburb · 3,566 students
WebsiteCommon AppForbes rankingScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$20,667
Average net priceYour net price
In-state · 2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
67%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
69% typical
$60,613
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$58,391 typical
80%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
64% typical · not scored
Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
About

The University of Mary Washington is a premier public liberal arts and sciences institution renowned for its undergraduate-focused education and standout programs in historic preservation, political science, education, and the sciences. Situated on a picturesque, Georgian-style campus in Fredericksburg, UMW leverages its strategic location between Washington, D.C., and Richmond to offer exceptional public service, internship, and research opportunities rarely available to undergraduates elsewhere. Campus life is characterized by a close-knit, inclusive community rooted in civic engagement, a cherished student-run Honor Code, and long-standing traditions like Devil-Goat Day.

Wikipedia:University of Mary Washington (UMW) is a public liberal arts university in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Established in 1908 as the State Normal and Industrial School for Women at Fredericksburg, the institution later became known as Fredericksburg Teachers College, and was named Mary Washington College in 1938 after Mary Ball Washington, mother of the first president of the United States, George Washington. The General Assembly of Virginia changed the college's name to University of Mary Washington in 2004 to reflect the addition of graduate and professional programs to the central undergraduate curriculum, as well as the establishment of more than one campus. The university offers more than 60 graduate and undergraduate degree programs in three colleges: Arts and Sciences, Business, and Education.

Location
Fredericksburg, VA, 22401-5300 · Suburb campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
IAD · Dulles
44 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
In-stateOut-of-state
Tuition & fees$14,640$27,560
Housing & food (on campus)$14,250$14,250
Books & supplies$1,200$1,200
Cost of attendance$35,734$50,136
Average net price$20,667Not published
Out-of-state prices
Tuition & fees$27,560
In-state: $14,640
Housing & food (on campus)$14,250
Books & supplies$1,200
Cost of attendance$50,136
In-state: $35,734
Average net priceNot published
In-state: $20,667
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: www.umw.edu
How it’s made up · out-of-state, 2026-27
University of Mary Washington’s own figures for 2026-27, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$23,884
Fees$6,136
Housing$9,131
Food$6,625
Books & supplies$1,200
Personal expenses$1,500
Transportation$1,600
Total published by the school$50,136
See how the in-state total ($35,734) is made up
How it’s made up · in-state, 2026-27
University of Mary Washington’s own figures for 2026-27, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$9,772
Fees$6,196
Housing$9,131
Food$6,625
Books & supplies$1,200
Personal expenses$1,500
Transportation$1,250
Total published by the school$35,734
Net price by family income · in-state students, 2023-24
$0–30k
$10,304
$30–48k
$11,061
$48–75k
$15,477
$75–110k
$26,212
$110k+
$30,986
Merit aid · 2024-25
Awarded without financial need. Students with financial need can get merit awards too; they're counted as need-based aid.
Average award$5,488
First-years who got one383
Source: University of Mary Washington's Common Data Set — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures.
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
67%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
57%
Back for yr 2
84%
Transferred
26%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
71% graduated · 24% transferred · 5% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$49,411
10 yrs after entry$60,613
Debt
Median at graduation$20,500
Monthly payment$217
Middle 50% owe$6.5k–$25k
90th percentile$28,735
Green marks a figure above the typical Baccalaureate — arts & sciences: $58,391 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
80%
Test policy
Test optional
Per College Scorecard
SAT average
1272
R 610–710 · M 560–660
ACT midpoint
29
Comp 27–31 · E 27–34 · M 24–27
SAT middle 50%: 1170–1370
40080012001600

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Essay prompts
How much essays count at University of Mary Washington: Important (one of four levels: very important · important · considered · not considered)
Source: University of Mary Washington's Common Data Set for 2024-25 — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures.

If University of Mary Washington asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 36%Women 64%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
13 : 1
Pell grant
21%
First-gen
25%
Family income
$80,643
Independent
15%
Age at entry
21.0
Part-time
13%
Race & ethnicity
White
59%
Hispanic
13%
Black
8%
Asian
4%
Two or more
6%
Non-resident
3%
Unknown
6%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division III without football · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Equestrian
    Women's
  • Field Hockey
    Women's
  • Lacrosse
    Men's · Women's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Swimming and Diving (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$49,411
After 10 yrs
$60,613
Business Administration, Management and Operations133
Psychology, General85
Biology, General84
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities80
Computer and Information Sciences, General55
English Language and Literature, General50
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing39
Communication and Media Studies34
Historic Preservation and Conservation34
Political Science and Government30
History30
Sociology29
Fine and Studio Arts24
Chemistry20
Physical Sciences, Other20
Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services19
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$89M
Full-time faculty
68%
Faculty salary
$9,957/mo
Teaching spend
$11,398
per student
Federal loans
29%
Classification
Carnegie type
Baccalaureate — arts & sciences
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, selective admissions

Wondering if University of Mary Washington is the right fit for you?

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Financial aid & net cost estimates
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