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Fredericksburg , VA
The University of Mary Washington, located in Fredericksburg, Virginia, is a public liberal arts university known for its small class sizes, dedicated faculty, and strong sense of community. Established in 1908 as a women's college, it transitioned to a co-educational institution in 1970. Today, the university offers bachelor's degrees in a wide range of disciplines, including arts and sciences, business, education, and nursing.
The University of Mary Washington prides itself on providing a personalized and engaging academic experience. With an average student-to-faculty ratio of 14:1, students have the opportunity to build close relationships with their professors and receive individualized attention. The university also emphasizes hands-on learning and encourages students to undertake research projects, internships, and study abroad experiences, fostering a well-rounded education and preparation for the professional world.
The university's picturesque campus spans over 176 acres and offers a vibrant student life. The campus community is known for its tight-knit feel, where students can easily get involved in various clubs, organizations, and sports teams. The university also offers a range of support services, such as academic advising, career development, and counseling, ensuring students have the resources they need to thrive both academically and personally. Overall, the University of Mary Washington provides a well-rounded, student-focused education within a welcoming community.
Located in Fredericksburg, VA, University of Mary Washington is a public comprehensive higher education institution. This academic institution uses a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 79%. The freshman retention rate at University of Mary Washington is 84.4% and the six-year graduation rate is 66%.
Explore this school's profile to find out the most important things about University of Mary Washington.
Quick Facts
3,660
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
13:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
66%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you know as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission, you can make a better judgment about your eligibility and boost your chances of getting accepted. Here are the most essential data you should know about admission at University of Mary Washington.
According to the newest information reported, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 4,088 in 2025. University of Mary Washington has an official test-optional admission policy but takes into consideration standardized test scores if the applicant chooses to submit them. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
Out of the number of applicants who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 26% and ACT scores 4%. 17.46% of the enrolled students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 54.49% between 1,200 and 1,399, 26.46% between 1,000 and 1,199, and 1.59% of the students between 800 and 999. The percent of freshmen who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 44.83, 44.83 between 24-29 and 10.34 in the range between 18-23.
The average ACT score for all the admitted students in 2025 was 28 and the average GPA was 3.75. Accordingly, you'll probably need an above-average GPA in order to be granted acceptance, as well as an above-average ACT score.
The new students had an average SAT Critical Reading score of 656 and an average SAT Math score of 603.
Retention Rate
The student retention rate is the percentage of students who re-enroll from one year to the next. This piece of data is important as it can reveal to the prospective students how many freshmen liked the school enough to return to it as sophomores.
The freshman retention rate for University of Mary Washington was 84.4% in 2025, which is considered an above-average retention rate and is indicative of the quality of educational experience at this school.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. This metric measures how efficiently students complete their degrees within a specific time period. The six-year completion rate at this institution is 66%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Deciding if a school is the best fit for you is not an easy task. You can better comprehend the culture and life of the school by finding out more about the student body.
Main Student Body
The total number of students enrolled at University of Mary Washington in 2025 was 3,826.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 9% for that year. There was a total of 3,660 undergrad students, including 95 international students. The number of transfer students at this school was 320.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 1,130 male and 2,018 female full-time students in 2025, which is indicative of the value gender equality has at this school.
Student Population Diversity
In order to enhance a sense of inclusion and belonging among its students, higher education is dedicated to increasing student diversity. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Learn more about all the ethnic communities you might encounter at this institution.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of Asian students was 158, and the number of Black American students was 291. 462 undergrads at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 217 as multirace. The school also had 2 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 7 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 218 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before you submit an application to any college or university, you should take into account the financial component. Here are some details you should know about the cost of attendance for University of Mary Washington.
Tuition and Fees
Wondering about tuition at University of Mary Washington? Here is what you need to know.
According to the reports from public county and municipal institutions, tuition fees were $9,390 for area residents. Tuition fees were $22,965 for students coming from out of state. For international students, tuition fees at this school amounted to $22,965, as well. Full-time students in 2025 were mandated to pay additional fees in the amount of $5,900.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $22,965 | $5,900 | $28,865 |
| In-State | $9,390 | $5,900 | $15,290 |
Books and Supplies
Another important financial factor to consider is the estimated cost of books and supplies for a college or university. The approximate expense of books and supplies for a full-time student of this school is $1,200.
Boarding
Before you apply to a college or university, you should, among other things, think about the price of a dorm room and cafeteria meals. How much do room and board fees average around at colleges and universities?
In 2025, room and board cost at University of Mary Washington amounted to $14,680 a year. If you only needed a room on the campus, you had to pay $8,780 for the 2025 academic year. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was $7,917.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 9,390 |
| Room and Board | $ 14,680 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,200 |
| Total Expense | $ 25,270 |
Financial Aid
Financial aid for students comes in different forms: grants, loans, scholarships, or work-study programs. Check out some recent data to get informed about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid at University of Mary Washington.
According to the most recent data, 346 freshmen were awarded financial aid. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $13,462.
Need-based
Financial aid that a student can receive if they are determined to have financial need and meet other eligibility requirements is known as need-based aid.
942 students were designated some form of need-based financial aid. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need amounted to 1,330. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution stood at $4,291,362, and state $6,939,692.
$5,224
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid. The most popular forms of non-need-based financial aid for students are loans and grants, like Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
789 students, including freshmen, were awarded institutional non-need-based financial aid at this school in 2025. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 293 full-time freshman. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $8,888,745. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $748,307 USD.
Open Applications
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Majors
Faculty
13:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Knowing more about a school's faculty can help you gauge the caliber of the education it can provide to you.
In 2025, this ratio at University of Mary Washington was 13:1. That means that there were 13 times more students than teachers at this school. The total number of faculty teaching at the institution is 313. This number included 159 men and 154 women.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Not everything at University of Mary Washington is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Check out some details about students' life at University of Mary Washington.
Its campus spans 234 acres.
Student Organizations
Being a member of a student organization will make you connect better with your fellow students and enjoy your college years more.
There are 153 student organizations and groups with open membership at this school. The student organization that gathers the largest number of students is UMW Girl Gains, followed by Tabletop Game Club and Yarnworks. Other popular organizations among the students at University of Mary Washington are Latino Student Association and Pre-Health Society.
In case you're interested in acting, there is a drama club you can consider joining. Interested in media and communication? University of Mary Washington publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
University of Mary Washington provides a number of services important for a pleasant and secure life on campus.
24/7 emergency phone and alarm devices are available. Dormitory entrances at the school are electronically operated. There is a security patrol available 24/7. The after-hours transportation/escort service is available.
There is a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Veteran's Affairs are available to the students of University of Mary Washington.
All in all, campus life at University of Mary Washington is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at University of Mary Washington.
Career Counselling
At University of Mary Washington, there is both group career counseling for full-time students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be a great asset for your future career. Individual job placement is available to full-time undergraduates only at this school.
Job Placement
Finding out some information about the expected post-graduation salary can help you decide if a particular school suits your career objectives.
The average base annual starting salary of the students who were employed within six months of graduation at this school is 51,577 USD.
$51,577
Average Starting Salary After 6 Months of Graduation
FAQ
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University of Mary Washington is located in Fredericksburg, VA.
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This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
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According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for University of Mary Washington is 79%.
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According to the latest information, the freshman retention rate for University of Mary Washington is 84.4%.
Contact Information
University of Mary Washington
1301 College Avenue
Fredericksburg , VA
22401
540 654-1000
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
