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University of Mary Washington

Fredericksburg, VA·Public·3,504 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and students who prefer a mid-size campus. no major red flags in the data. solid earnings of $56,200 within 10 years.

86%
Accept
3,504
Students
$21,108
Net Price
67%
Grad Rate
$56,200
Earnings
10 yr
$16,250
Debt

About This School

University of Mary Washington is a public institution located in Fredericksburg, Virginia with approximately 3,504 undergraduate students enrolled. University of Mary Washington has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 86%. The average net price after financial aid is $21,108 per year. The graduation rate is 67%, and the typical graduate earns $56,200 within 10 years of enrollment.

University of Mary Washington (UMW) is a public liberal arts university in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Established in 1908 as the State Normal and Industrial School for Women at Fredericksburg, the institution later became known as Fredericksburg Teachers College, and was named Mary Washington College in 1938 after Mary Ball Washington, mother of the first president of the United States, George Washington. The General Assembly of Virginia changed the college's name to University of Mary Washington in 2004 to reflect the addition of graduate and professional programs to the central undergraduate curriculum, as well as the establishment of more than one campus. The university offers more than 60 graduate and undergraduate degree programs in three colleges: Arts and Sciences, Business, and Education.

Worth considering if you want an affordable public college experience in Virginia — at $21,108/year after aid and a modest $16,250 in median debt at graduation, the financial profile is genuinely manageable. The 67% graduation rate is a bit below average, though, meaning roughly 1 in 3 students don't finish, so it's worth asking what support systems are in place for you specifically. Graduates earn around $56,200 a decade out, which is decent but not exceptional, making this a reasonable fit if you're drawn to the small campus feel and have a clear academic plan.

Founded
1908
Setting
Midsize suburb

Popular Programs

Business & Marketing15%
Social Sciences14%
Biological Sciences10%
Psychology10%
Computer Science6%
Physical Sciences5%
English5%
Visual & Performing Arts5%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

Judge ReinholdMaggie StiefvaterElizabeth EdwardsKaren Olsen Beck

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average Composite1241
Reading 75th %ile690
Math 75th %ile640

ACT Scores

Midpoint Composite29

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$14,559
Out-of-State Tuition
$31,479
Avg Net Price
$21,108
after aid

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants20%
Median debt at graduation$16,250

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
67%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
82%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$56,200
after enrollment
Median Debt
$16,250
at graduation

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$16,250
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$40,300
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$56,200
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 3.5x

Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White60%
Black8%
Hispanic/Latino13%
Asian5%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (3,504 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

University of Mary Washington

1301 College Ave

Fredericksburg, VA 22401-5300

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in Virginia

Browse all Virginia schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

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.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • 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.
Trademarks

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