William & Mary vs. SU

Comparable Facts

Compare William & Mary in Williamsburg, VA with Shenandoah University in Winchester, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

William & Mary is larger than SU based on total student enrollment (9,818 students vs. 4,454 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• William & Mary is located in Williamsburg, VA (Large Suburban setting); Shenandoah University is in Winchester, VA (Small City setting).
• William & Mary is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Shenandoah University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: William & Mary 12:1; Shenandoah University 12:1.

William & Mary vs. SU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, William & Mary or SU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at William & Mary than SU ($19,686 vs. $27,181).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shenandoah University are 22.8% lower than at William & Mary ($12,490 vs. $16,182).
• Shenandoah University is 42.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than William & Mary (about $11,036 more per year; $36,950.00 vs. $25,914.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 38.1% higher at William & Mary than at Shenandoah University (about $14,088 more per year; $51,038.00 vs. $36,950.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shenandoah University than at William & Mary (100% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Shenandoah University students is 6.9% larger than aid received by William & Mary students ($24,747 vs. $23,144).

William & Mary vs. SU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, William & Mary or SU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between SU and William & Mary.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at William & Mary (1470) is 350 points higher than at SU (1120).
• Incoming William & Mary students have a 11 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 22 at SU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: William & Mary 1400/1530; Shenandoah University 1010/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: William & Mary 32/34; Shenandoah University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: William & Mary - Test optional; SU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: William & Mary Jan 2, 2027; SU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman William & Mary students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.85) than students at SU (3.7).
• SU has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than William & Mary (34.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.6% at William & Mary vs. 16.7% at SU.

William & Mary vs. SU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for William & Mary and SU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• William & Mary's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than Shenandoah University's (45%).
• Graduates from William & Mary earn a median of about $20,400 more per year than SU graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,700 vs. $48,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, William & Mary graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than SU graduates ($19,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, William & Mary graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SU graduates ($201 vs. $258).
• More William & Mary graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SU students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 60%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.