DeSales University vs. Mary Washington College

Should I go to DeSales University or University of Mary Washington? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if DeSales University or Mary Washington College is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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DeSales University vs. University of Mary Washington comparison
DeSales University University of Mary Washington College 3 College 4
DeSales University University of Mary Washington
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Overview

DeSales University Mary Washington College
Location Center Valley, PA Fredericksburg, VA
Setting Large Suburban Small Suburban
Enrollment 2,991 3,757
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #262 #283
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website desales.edu umw.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

DeSales University Mary Washington College
Tuition (In State) $41,100 $8,938
Tuition (Out of State) $41,100 $25,858
Room & Board $13,500 $12,090
Avg Net Price $29,104 $21,863
Avg Grant Aid $27,824 $9,046
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 93%

Admission

DeSales University Mary Washington College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,662 4,709
Admitted 2,826 4,040
Acceptance Rate 77.2% 85.8%
Enrolled % 18% 18.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.39 3.71
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Challenging Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/29 25/30
SAT Range 1100/1280 1170/1340
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

DeSales University Mary Washington College
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (29%)
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Biology (5%)
  • Communication (5%)
  • Social Sciences (19%)
  • Business (12%)
  • General Studies (11%)
  • English and Literature (11%)
  • Psychology (8%)

Outcomes

DeSales University Mary Washington College
Graduation Rate 69% 71%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $51,100 $55,500
Making Student Loan Payments 71% 80%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $268 $222

Diversity

DeSales University Mary Washington College
% Men 34% 37%
% Women 66% 63%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 75% 70%
% Black 4% 6%
% Hispanic 12% 8%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 5%
% International 0% 1%
% Unknown Race 6% 6%

Students

DeSales University Mary Washington College
% In-State 66% 87%
% Out-of-State 34% 10%

Campus

DeSales University Mary Washington College
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Mary Washington is larger than than DeSales University based on total student enrollment (3,757 students vs. 2,991 students)

DeSales University vs. Mary Washington College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DeSales University or Mary Washington College?

  • DeSales University is 359.8% more expensive to attend than Mary Washington College for in-state tuition ($41,100.00 vs. $8,938.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 58.9% higher at DeSales University than University of Mary Washington ($41,100.00 vs. $25,858.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Mary Washington than DeSales University ($21,863 vs. $29,104)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Mary Washington are 11.7% lower than costs at DeSales University ($12,090 vs. $13,500)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at DeSales University than University of Mary Washington (100% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by DeSales University students is 207.6% larger than aid received University of Mary Washington ($27,824 vs. $9,046)

DeSales University vs. Mary Washington College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DeSales University or Mary Washington College? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Mary Washington College or DeSales University .

  • The average SAT score at University of Mary Washington (1110) is 56 points higher than at DeSales University (1054)
  • Incoming DeSales University students have at the same average ACT score (25) as students at Mary Washington College (25)
  • Accepted freshman Mary Washington College students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at DeSales University (3.39)
  • Mary Washington College has a higher acceptance rate (85.8%) than DeSales University (77.2%)

DeSales University vs. Mary Washington College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, DeSales University or Mary Washington College? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Mary Washington College and DeSales University.

  • The graduation rate at Mary Washington College is higher than DeSales University (71% vs. 69%)
  • Graduates from University of Mary Washington earn on average $4,400 more per year than DeSales University graduates after ten years. ($55,500 vs. $51,100)
  • University of Mary Washington students graduate with a $4,500 lower median federal student loan debt than DeSales University graduates. ($21,500 vs. $26,000)
  • Mary Washington College graduates are paying $46 less per month on federal student loans than DeSales University graduates. ($222 vs. $268)
  • More Mary Washington College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DeSales University students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 71%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/