William & Mary

  • 9/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • Williamsburg, VA
  • 5.0 4 reviews
#4 Best Public Universities in America

Overview

Total enrollment

9,818
William & Mary overview
William & Mary overview
  • Size Mid-size
  • Status Non-profit
  • Housing Yes
  • Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate

The College of William & Mary, located in historic Williamsburg, Virginia, is the second-oldest institution of higher education in the United States and was established by royal charter in 1693. The 1,200-acre campus features Georgian and Anglo-Dutch architecture with the Sir Christopher Wren Building serving as the oldest college building still in use in America. As a public research university, William & Mary maintains highly selective admission standards and is recognized for its strong liberal arts curriculum, particularly in international relations, public policy, and law through its affiliated law school. The campus houses approximately 75% of undergraduates in residence halls and colonial-style buildings integrated throughout the historic campus core, which connects directly to Colonial Williamsburg. Notable academic programs include government, business, and marine science, with research facilities at the nearby Virginia Institute of Marine Science in Gloucester Point.

Ratings

William & Mary is rated within the top 14% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 9 out of 10.

  • Overall Rating
    9 out of 10
  • Academics
    10 out of 10
  • Resources
    8 out of 10
  • Outcomes
    9 out of 10
  • Value
    10 out of 10

Admissions

Admission Standards

Elite
William & Mary admission standards
  • SAT (enrolled mid-50) 1400/1530
  • ACT (enrolled mid-50) 32/34

Acceptance Rate

34.1%
William & Mary applications overview
  • Applications Due Jan 2, 2027
  • Enrollment Rate 26.6%
  • Application Fee $75

Applicant Competition High

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Annual Cost to Attend

Virginia Resident Tuition

$25,914

Out of State Resident Tuition

$51,038

Breakdown

In State Costs for William & Mary
  • Tuition $25,914
  • Books and Supplies $1,050
  • Other Fees $7,205
  • Room and Board $16,182
  • Budget for Other Expenses $2,460
  • Total One Year Cost $52,811

Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$68,700 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

91% within 6 years

Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at William & Mary are Social Sciences, Business, and General Studies. 24% of students major in Social Sciences, 11% in Business, and 10% in General Studies.

  • Social Sciences 24%
  • Business 11%
  • General Studies 10%
  • English and Literature 8%
  • History 7%

More Colleges to Consider

Students considering William & Mary are frequently interested in these similar colleges.

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=231624.

GPA calculator: William & Mary GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026