William & Mary vs. VWC

Comparable Facts

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

William & Mary is larger than VWC based on total student enrollment (9,818 students vs. 1,853 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• William & Mary is located in Williamsburg, VA (Large Suburban setting); Virginia Wesleyan University is in Virginia Beach, VA (Large City setting).
• William & Mary is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: William & Mary 12:1; Virginia Wesleyan University 15:1.

William & Mary vs. VWC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, William & Mary or VWC? 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 VWC ($19,686 vs. $21,267).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Wesleyan University are 26.3% lower than at William & Mary ($11,930 vs. $16,182).
• Virginia Wesleyan University is 44.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than William & Mary (about $11,586 more per year; $37,500.00 vs. $25,914.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.1% higher at William & Mary than at Virginia Wesleyan University (about $13,538 more per year; $51,038.00 vs. $37,500.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Wesleyan University than at William & Mary (100% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Wesleyan University students is 29.3% larger than aid received by William & Mary students ($29,923 vs. $23,144).

William & Mary vs. VWC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, William & Mary or VWC? 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 VWC and William & Mary.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at William & Mary (1470) is 220 points higher than at VWC (1250).
• Incoming William & Mary students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 28 at VWC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: William & Mary 1400/1530; Virginia Wesleyan University 1140/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: William & Mary 32/34; Virginia Wesleyan University 28/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: William & Mary - Test optional; VWC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: William & Mary Jan 2, 2027.
• Accepted freshman William & Mary students have a 0.46 point higher average high school GPA (3.85) than students at VWC (3.39).
• VWC has a higher acceptance rate (72.9%) than William & Mary (34.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.6% at William & Mary vs. 11.9% at VWC.

William & Mary vs. VWC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for William & Mary and VWC? 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 Virginia Wesleyan University's (48%).
• Graduates from William & Mary earn a median of about $27,000 more per year than VWC graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,700 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, William & Mary graduates have a $7,500 lower median loan debt than VWC graduates ($19,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, William & Mary graduates have an estimated $78 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VWC graduates ($201 vs. $279).
• More William & Mary graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VWC students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 57%)

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.