Mary Washington College vs. Western Washington University

Comparable Facts

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

Western Washington University is larger than Mary Washington College based on total student enrollment (14,710 students vs. 3,826 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Mary Washington is located in Fredericksburg, VA (Small Suburban setting); Western Washington University is in Bellingham, WA (Small City setting).
• University of Mary Washington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Washington University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Mary Washington 13:1; Western Washington University 18:1.

Mary Washington College vs. Western Washington University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mary Washington College or Western Washington University? 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 Western Washington University ($21,800 vs. $24,338).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Mary Washington are 9.5% lower than at Western Washington University ($14,250 vs. $15,747).
• University of Mary Washington is 52.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Western Washington University (about $5,058 more per year; $14,640.00 vs. $9,582.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.2% higher at Western Washington University than at University of Mary Washington (about $1,147 more per year; $28,707.00 vs. $27,560.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Mary Washington than at Western Washington University (99% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Mary Washington students is 52% larger than aid received by Western Washington University students ($10,491 vs. $6,902).

Mary Washington College vs. Western Washington University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mary Washington College or Western Washington University? 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 Western Washington University and Mary Washington College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Mary Washington (1270) is the same as at Western Washington University (1270).
• Incoming Mary Washington College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 27 at Western Washington University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Mary Washington 1170/1370; Western Washington University 1150/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Mary Washington 27/31; Western Washington University 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mary Washington College - Test optional; Western Washington University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Western Washington University Jan 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mary Washington College students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Western Washington University (3.46).
• Western Washington University has a higher acceptance rate (93.2%) than Mary Washington College (79.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.7% at Mary Washington College vs. 22.9% at Western Washington University.

Mary Washington College vs. Western Washington University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mary Washington College and Western Washington University? 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).

• Western Washington University's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than University of Mary Washington's (71%).
• Graduates from University of Mary Washington earn a median of about $7,500 more per year than Western Washington University graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,500 vs. $48,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Washington University graduates have a $2,087 lower median loan debt than Mary Washington College graduates ($19,413 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Western Washington University graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mary Washington College graduates ($200 vs. $222).
• More Mary Washington College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Washington 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.