University of Mary Washington
#2 Best Education Colleges in Virginia- Graduation Rate
- 67% B-
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $60,613 A-
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $20,667 C-
- 21% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 80% C
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 19.0× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $19.0 over 20 years. Ranked #2 in Best Education Colleges in Virginia.
Every $1 spent returns $19.0 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,485,117.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 49% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $19.0 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- Inventor Rate
- 0.3%
- Top 67%
- Patents
- 11
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 1
- Downstream influence
Why University of Mary Washington Matters
University of Mary Washington is a public liberal arts college in Fredericksburg, VA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Liberal Arts College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate · Arts & Sciences
- Enrollment
- 3,566
- Setting
- Suburban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, Computer Science & IT, Biology & Biomedical
Why students choose University of Mary Washington
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 80% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1170–1370. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $20,667 a year after grants and scholarships — 21% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $60,613 ten years after enrolling — 49% above the typical college, against $20,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.8% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 89% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.73 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 80%, the University of Mary Washington is a welcoming choice for students who are looking to pursue a range of popular fields, including Business and Marketing, Social Sciences, Biology, Psychology, and Computer Science. This university caters to a diverse student body and emphasizes a supportive learning environment where students can grow academically and personally.
After graduation, students from Mary Washington can expect to earn about $60,613 within ten years. That figure is encouraging for those considering their financial future. The university’s affordability, with a net price of $20,667 after aid, makes it a viable option for many. It's worth noting that 21% of students receive Pell Grants, which can help lower costs even further for those who qualify.
In terms of debt, the median amount stands at $20,500, a figure that's manageable for many graduates given their earnings potential. Students who thrive here often appreciate the smaller campus atmosphere and the close-knit community that comes with it. If you're looking for a school that balances accessibility with a solid educational experience, Mary Washington might just be the right fit.
Rankings
- #2 Best Education Colleges in Virginia
- #5 Best Communications Colleges in Virginia
- #7 Best Online Colleges in Virginia
- #7 Best Computer Science Colleges in Virginia
- #7 Best Data Science Colleges in Virginia
- #8 Best Business Colleges in Virginia
- #8 Best Nursing Colleges in Virginia
- #8 Best Biology Colleges in Virginia
Can I Get In?
How selective University of Mary Washington is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Mary Washington? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Fredericksburg, Virginia, University of Mary Washington admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 80%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,272. The graduation rate is roughly 67%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 80%
- Retention Rate
- 84%
- SAT Average
- 1272
- ACT Midpoint
- 29
- SAT Range
- 1170–1370
- ACT Range
- 27–31
- Full-Time Faculty
- 68%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $9,957
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 12:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.62
- First-Gen Students
- 25%
- Applicants
- 4,709
- Admitted
- 4,040
Inside the Admissions Office
School-reported Common Data Set · 2024-25
The acceptance rate tells you how hard University of Mary Washington is to get into. Its Common Data Set tells you what happens once you are admitted: how many students say yes, how many arrived without test scores, and whether applying early tilts the odds. 18% of admitted students go on to enroll here, making it a school most admitted students ultimately pass on.
- Yield Rate
- 18%
- of admits enroll
- Submitted SAT
- 26%
- of enrolled freshmen
- Submitted ACT
- 4%
- of enrolled freshmen
- Early Decision Admit Rate
- 86.4%
- vs 79.8% overall
Applying early pays off here. Of 110 Early Decision applicants, 95 were admitted — a 86.4% admit rate, roughly 1.1× the 79.8% rate for the overall pool. That binding round alone filled about 13% of the entering class (95 of 725 first-years). The catch: Early Decision is a commitment you make before you can compare aid offers.
Test-optional, in practice. Only about 30% of enrolled freshmen submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive here, not a long shot.
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Mary Washington? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Mary Washington is $27,560, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $20,667. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,304 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $14,640
- Out-of-State
- $27,560
- Avg Net Price
- $20,667
- Median Debt
- $20,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 21%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 29%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $10,304
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $11,061
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $15,477
- Family Income $110K+
- $30,986
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at University of Mary Washington — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is University of Mary Washington Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Mary Washington earn a median of $60,613, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $49,411
- 8 Years
- $54,986
- 10 Years
- $60,613
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.34x
- Earning > $25K
- 69%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (459)
- 55%
- 100% (459)
- 55%
- 100% (459)
- 55%
- 100% (459)
- 55%
How University Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is University of Mary Washington Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, University of Mary Washington delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $20,667/year ($82,668 total). Graduates earn $60,613 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,567,785 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,485,117 (19.0× your investment). The median debt is $20,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 67% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $82,668
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,567,785
- Net Return
- $1,485,117
- ROI Multiple
- 19.0×
- Cost Per Year
- $20,667
- Median Debt
- $20,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 67%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does University of Mary Washington Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
University of Mary Washington is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.77%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 1.3% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 60.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $133,800, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.77%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 60.7%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 1.3%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $181,787
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
University of Mary Washington produces inventors at a measurable rate, with 11 patents tied to its graduates.
- Inventor Rate
- 0.27%
- Top 67% nationally
- Patents Produced
- 11
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 1
- Downstream influence
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $1,193,277
- Investment Income
- $69,544
Top Programs
The fields University of Mary Washington awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 17% $54,163 early-career
- Social Sciences 13% $50,714 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 10% $81,988 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 8% $34,534 early-career
- Psychology 8% $36,562 early-career
- Health Professions 6% $92,555 early-career
- Humanities 6% $30,722 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 5% $26,827 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for University of Mary Washington's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Mary Washington? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Fredericksburg, Virginia, University of Mary Washington admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 80%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,272. The graduation rate is roughly 67%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Mary Washington? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Mary Washington is $27,560, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $20,667. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,304 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,500 in federal student loans.
Is University of Mary Washington Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Mary Washington earn a median of $60,613, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does University of Mary Washington Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
University of Mary Washington is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.77%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 1.3% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 60.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $133,800, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is University of Mary Washington? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Mary Washington. Its economic connectedness score is 1.73, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 11% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Does University of Mary Washington offer Early Decision, and does it improve admission chances?
Yes. University of Mary Washington offers a binding Early Decision plan, and it carries a real advantage: Early Decision applicants were admitted at 86%, about 1.1 times the overall 80% acceptance rate, and ED filled roughly 13% of the entering class. Because ED is binding, it makes sense only if University of Mary Washington is a clear first choice and you can commit before comparing aid offers (2024-25 Common Data Set).
Is University of Mary Washington really test-optional?
In practice, yes. Only about 30% of enrolled first-year students submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive at University of Mary Washington (2024-25 Common Data Set).
What percentage of admitted students enroll at University of Mary Washington?
About 18% of admitted students choose to enroll at University of Mary Washington — its yield rate (2024-25 Common Data Set). Yield reflects how often a school wins when applicants weigh competing offers.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to University of Mary Washington.
- York College of PennsylvaniaYork, PA · Close peer62% grad $61,012 earn 74% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Eastern Connecticut State UniversityWillimantic, CT · Close peer58% grad $56,469 earn 83% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of St ThomasHouston, TX · Close peer69% grad $59,224 earn 90% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Aurora UniversityAurora, IL · Close peer59% grad $58,709 earn 81% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Concordia University-Saint PaulSaint Paul, MN · Close peer52% grad $59,871 earn 79% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Westfield State UniversityWestfield, MA · Close peer55% grad $57,346 earn 81% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is University of Mary Washington? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Mary Washington. Its economic connectedness score is 1.73, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 11% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note