Mary Washington College vs. SU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA with Shenandoah University in Winchester, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Shenandoah University is larger than Mary Washington College based on total student enrollment (4,454 students vs. 3,826 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Mary Washington is located in Fredericksburg, VA (Small Suburban setting); Shenandoah University is in Winchester, VA (Small City setting).
• University of Mary Washington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Shenandoah University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Mary Washington 13:1; Shenandoah University 12:1.

Mary Washington College vs. SU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mary Washington College 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 University of Mary Washington than SU ($21,800 vs. $27,181).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shenandoah University are 12.4% lower than at University of Mary Washington ($12,490 vs. $14,250).
• Shenandoah University is 152.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mary Washington College (about $22,310 more per year; $36,950.00 vs. $14,640.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.1% higher at SU than at University of Mary Washington (about $9,390 more per year; $36,950.00 vs. $27,560.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shenandoah University than at University of Mary Washington (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Shenandoah University students is 135.9% larger than aid received by University of Mary Washington students ($24,747 vs. $10,491).

Mary Washington College vs. SU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mary Washington College 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 Mary Washington College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Mary Washington (1270) is 150 points higher than at SU (1120).
• Incoming Mary Washington College students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 22 at SU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Mary Washington 1170/1370; Shenandoah University 1010/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Mary Washington 27/31; Shenandoah University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mary Washington College - Test optional; SU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: SU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mary Washington College students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at SU (3.7).
• Mary Washington College has a higher acceptance rate (79.8%) than SU (77%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.7% at Mary Washington College vs. 16.7% at SU.

Mary Washington College vs. SU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mary Washington College 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).

• University of Mary Washington's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than Shenandoah University's (45%).
• Graduates from University of Mary Washington earn a median of about $7,200 more per year than SU graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,500 vs. $48,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Mary Washington graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than SU graduates ($21,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Mary Washington College graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SU graduates ($222 vs. $258).
• More Mary Washington College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SU students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.