University of Mary Washington

About UMW

We are an academic community dedicated to the highest standards of scholarship, personal integrity, responsible conduct, and respect for the individual.

University of Mary Washington About UMW

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Fast Facts

We are a premier, selective, coeducational, public institution that offers:

  • Rigorous academics in small, highly interactive classes.
  • Innovative and accessible master teachers.
  • Three colleges – arts and sciences, business, and education – which produce graduates who are critical thinkers prepared to succeed.
  • A supportive campus community that values honor and integrity.
  • A civically, socially, and intellectually engaged community.

Location

We are located in Fredericksburg, Va., within an hour’s drive of both Washington, D.C., and Richmond, Va., providing students with unique internships, research excursions, and recreational opportunities. UMW has two other nearby campuses: one in Stafford, Va., which caters to graduate and adult degree programs; and another in Dahlgren, Va., which offers continuing education and professional development courses for the region’s engineers, scientists and administrative professionals.

Student Body

  • Approximately 4,400 undergraduate students
  • Students from about 34 states and 38 foreign countries
  • About 28 percent self-identified minorities
  • About 55 percent live on campus in one of 17 residence halls or campus apartments
  • More than 300 enrolled in professional studies and graduate programs

Faculty

  • 86 percent have earned a doctorate or other terminal degree in their field
  • Master teachers inspire our high-performing students—no graduate teaching assistants ever
  • Eight faculty members have received Fulbright Awards to teach and research abroad since 2006.

Class Size

  • Average undergraduate class size of 19 students
  • 14 to 1 student:faculty ratio

Academic Programs

We provide:

  • More than 50 majors, 41 minors, 1 undergraduate certificate, and 4 graduate degree programs
  • A rich array of undergraduate research, internship, study abroad, leadership service, and recreational opportunities
  • Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Liberal Studies, Master of Science in Elementary Education, Master of Business Administration, Master of Education, Master of Science in Geospatial Analysis

The First-Year Experience

First-year seminar courses introduce students to the pursuit of intellectual inquiry. Seminars are designed to let students interact with outstanding faculty members while exploring nontraditional topics in nontraditional ways. Specific topics will vary from course to course, but all promise:

  • College as you imagined it: a life of the mind taught by faculty
  • Small classes, capped at 15 students each
  • Active, discussion-based formats
  • The development of writing and speaking skills

Study Abroad

  • About one third of the graduating class has an international experience prior to graduation
  • More than 15 programs are led by UMW faculty
  • 10 exchange programs
  • 120+ approved programs in over 30 countries
  • An average of $50,000 is awarded in scholarships for study abroad each year

Student Life

More than 100 student clubs and organizations are centered around academic themes, the arts, sports and recreation, student government, cultural diversity, and other interests.

Retention Rates

The most recent graduation rate for UMW students is 82 percent.

Intercollegiate and Recreational Athletics

  • Our  19 teams for men and women compete in the NCAA Division III Coast to Coast Athletic Conference (C2C), formerly known as the Capital Athletic Conference (CAC).
  • The Eagles have captured the CAC All-Sports Award – given to the overall best athletics program – 12 times.
  • 331 Eagles have been named to All-American teams.
  • We also offer 16 club sports and outstanding facilities for sports and recreation, including an indoor tennis center and a gymnasium/convocation hall, The Anderson Center.
  • The Fredericksburg campus boasts a state-of-the-art fitness center and newly reconstructed 12-court outdoor tennis complex.

School Colors

Our colors are gray and blue.

Cost

For the 2020-21 academic year:

  • Undergraduate tuition and fees for Virginia residents total $13,634; for non-residents, $30,060. Room and board for all undergraduates costs is approximately $11,950.
  • Each year, we administer more than $44 million in financial assistance, including educational and alternative loans totaling $22 million, for students at both the Fredericksburg and Stafford campuses.
  • The cost of graduate school is $625 per credit hour for in-state residents; $1,165 per credit hour for out-of-state residents.