Mary Baldwin University
A good fit for families looking for lower cost and students who want small classes and close faculty access. graduation rate is below 40%; earnings-to-debt ratio is tight. generous financial aid cuts net price well below sticker; 55% of students receive Pell Grants — strong access mission.
About This School
Mary Baldwin University is a private nonprofit institution located in Staunton, Virginia with approximately 1,090 undergraduate students enrolled. The average net price after financial aid is $12,756 per year. The graduation rate is 39%, and the typical graduate earns $39,500 within 10 years of enrollment.
Mary Baldwin University is a private university in Staunton, Virginia, United States. It was founded in 1842 as "Augusta Female Seminary". Mary Baldwin University is home to the Mary Baldwin College for Women, a residential college and women's college with a focus on liberal arts and leadership, as well as co-educational residential college for undergraduate programs within its University College structure. MBU also offers co-educational graduate degrees as well as undergraduate degree and certificate programs for working professionals and non-traditional students.
The numbers tell a mixed story here: a 56% graduation rate and 61% freshman retention rate suggest a meaningful chunk of students don't finish, which is worth asking about directly. On the positive side, median debt at graduation is a relatively low $12,250, and the net price of $17,833/year makes it financially accessible for a private school. Worth considering if you're drawn to a small, women-focused liberal arts environment with leadership programming — but go in with eyes open about the outcomes data, since median earnings of $39,500 a decade out are modest.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Will This School Pay Off?
Worth scrutinizing. Median earnings relative to debt are tight.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (1,090 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in Virginia
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Lynchburg, VA · Private nonprofit
Northern Virginia Community College
Annandale, VA · Public
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, VA · Public
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA · Public
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA · Public
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA · Public
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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