Mary Washington College vs. VWC

Comparable Facts

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

University of Mary Washington is larger than VWC based on total student enrollment (3,826 students vs. 1,853 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Mary Washington is located in Fredericksburg, VA (Small Suburban setting); Virginia Wesleyan University is in Virginia Beach, VA (Large City setting).
• University of Mary Washington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Mary Washington 13:1; Virginia Wesleyan University 15:1.

Mary Washington College vs. VWC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mary Washington College 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 Virginia Wesleyan University than Mary Washington College ($21,267 vs. $21,800).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Wesleyan University are 16.3% lower than at University of Mary Washington ($11,930 vs. $14,250).
• Virginia Wesleyan University is 156.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mary Washington College (about $22,860 more per year; $37,500.00 vs. $14,640.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.1% higher at VWC than at University of Mary Washington (about $9,940 more per year; $37,500.00 vs. $27,560.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Wesleyan University than at University of Mary Washington (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Wesleyan University students is 185.2% larger than aid received by University of Mary Washington students ($29,923 vs. $10,491).

Mary Washington College vs. VWC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Mary Washington (1270) is 20 points higher than at VWC (1250).
• Incoming Mary Washington College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 28 at VWC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Mary Washington 1170/1370; Virginia Wesleyan University 1140/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Mary Washington 27/31; Virginia Wesleyan University 28/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mary Washington College - Test optional; VWC - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Mary Washington College students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at VWC (3.39).
• Mary Washington College has a higher acceptance rate (79.8%) than VWC (72.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.7% at Mary Washington College vs. 11.9% at VWC.

Mary Washington College vs. VWC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mary Washington College 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).

• University of Mary Washington's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than Virginia Wesleyan University's (48%).
• Graduates from University of Mary Washington earn a median of about $13,800 more per year than VWC graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,500 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Mary Washington graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than VWC graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Mary Washington College graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VWC graduates ($222 vs. $279).
• More Mary Washington College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VWC students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.