University of Mary Washington

  • 7/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • Fredericksburg, VA
  • 5.0 1 review
#7 Best Public Universities in Virginia

Overview

Total enrollment

3,826
University of Mary Washington overview
University of Mary Washington overview
  • Size Mid-size
  • Status Non-profit
  • Housing Yes
  • Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate

The University of Mary Washington is located in historic Fredericksburg, Virginia, approximately 50 miles south of Washington, D.C. and 50 miles north of Richmond. The main campus occupies 176 acres featuring Georgian-style architecture and is designated as a national historic district, with many buildings dating to the 1908 founding of the institution, which was originally established as the State Normal and Industrial School for Women. Now a public liberal arts university, UMW maintains selective admission standards and is recognized for its programs in preservation studies, geography, and education. The university primarily serves undergraduate students who reside in campus dormitories and approved housing, while also operating a separate business campus in nearby Stafford County that serves graduate students.

Ratings

Mary Washington College is rated within the top 34% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 7 out of 10.

  • Overall Rating
    7 out of 10
  • Academics
    8 out of 10
  • Resources
    6 out of 10
  • Outcomes
    8 out of 10
  • Value
    6 out of 10

Admissions

Admission Standards

Difficult
University of Mary Washington admission standards
  • SAT (enrolled mid-50) 1170/1370
  • ACT (enrolled mid-50) 27/31
  • GPA 3.71

Acceptance Rate

79.8%
University of Mary Washington applications overview
  • Applications Due -
  • Enrollment Rate 17.7%
  • Application Fee $50

Applicant Competition Very Low

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Annual Cost to Attend

Virginia Resident Tuition

$14,640

Out of State Resident Tuition

$27,560

Breakdown

In State Costs for University of Mary Washington
  • Tuition $14,640
  • Books and Supplies $1,200
  • Other Fees $5,700
  • Room and Board $14,250
  • Budget for Other Expenses $2,810
  • Total One Year Cost $38,600

Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$55,500 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

71% within 6 years

Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at University of Mary Washington are Social Sciences, Business, and General Studies. 19% of students major in Social Sciences, 12% in Business, and 11% in General Studies.

  • Social Sciences 19%
  • Business 12%
  • General Studies 11%
  • English and Literature 11%
  • Psychology 8%

More Colleges to Consider

Students considering University of Mary Washington are frequently interested in these similar colleges.

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=232681.

GPA calculator: University of Mary Washington GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026