100+
50 miles
$39 mil+
Come see for yourself.
A UMW campus visit gives you and your student the knowledge, confidence, and connections to navigate the admissions process together. Register for a Fall Open House.
Learning at Mary Wash
Small classes. Personal connections. Community support. We understand the immense importance of education in today’s world. Here, we go beyond just nurturing your student’s interests; we guide them in realizing the full potential of their major, providing a transformative experience that matters now more than ever.
Outcomes
Your student’s future starts here. Within six months of graduation, 89% of UMW grads are employed, in graduate school, or pursuing meaningful opportunities. From Fortune 500 companies to public service, from research labs to classrooms, Mary Wash students launch into the internships or careers that matter most to them.
Life at Mary Wash
Get in on the Life at Mary Wash action and watch as your student thrives. With 150 clubs, 18 NCAA DIII sports, an active student government, inspiring arts programs, and deep-rooted traditions, your child will undoubtedly find their place of belonging. They’re not just joining a university; they’re becoming part of a supportive community that fosters growth and lasting connections.
Go-to Guide: Experts Peel Back the Layers of the College Application Process
Between them, University of Mary Washington’s Melissa Yakabouski and Sarah Lindberg hold a half-century of college admissions experience. This team of two is here to help by tackling a few of families’ most pressing questions.
Have a question? We’re here to help.
We hope the answers to the following FAQs might help ease your anxiety but don’t hesitate to contact the UMW Office of Admissions at (540) 654-2000 or admit@umw.edu with any questions or concerns.
UMW is located in historic Fredericksburg, Virginia, an hour south of Washington, D.C., and an hour north of Richmond, Virginia’s capital. This incredible location lends itself to a rich array of internship, research, and volunteer opportunities for intellectual and professional growth. Who knows, your student might even land a job before graduation.
UMW is surrounded by Fredericksburg’s Civil War battlefields, museums, quaint shops, and eateries in the same vein. Central Park and the East Coast’s largest shopping center are teeming with hundreds of the hottest retailers and restaurants. All these attractions are a few miles away.
Your student will have support in navigating our surrounding areas and finding transportation to potential internships and job opportunities.
Seeing is believing. The first step in your family’s quest to find the perfect college will be a visit to our beautiful campus in historic Fredericksburg. You and your student will fall in love with everything from our stately Georgian architecture and quaint brick-lined walkways. To our enticing array of dining and entertainment options on and around campus. Explore the place our students refer to as their “home away from home”.
We know you care about the cost of college. We do too.
At the University of Mary Washington, tuition increases have remained low or flat in recent years, with fee adjustments limited to inflationary costs.
UMW is consistently recognized as one of the nation’s “best value” colleges by publications like Fiske Guide to Colleges, The Princeton Review, and Kiplinger’s Personal Finance. Each year, we award more than $39 million in financial assistance, including scholarships, grants, student employment, and $19 million in educational loans.
For 2024–25, the total cost for a Virginia resident living on campus is $29,084. Out-of-state students pay up to $42,262, which includes on-campus housing and a tuition rate of $22,295. Families should also budget for books, transportation, and personal expenses.
Our Office of Financial Aid is here to guide you through the process and help ensure your student can access the quality education they deserve.
Above all, from their first day on campus, all UMW students pledge to follow the Honor Code, agreeing to conduct themselves with integrity and commit to high ethical standards.
Moreover, for your student’s safety, emergency blue-light response systems are strewn throughout campus. Secondly, we provide a constant university police presence, safety escort services, and UMW Alerts – a network of text, email, and online messages notifying students and parents of potential emergencies or concerns both on campus and off.
Further, UMW’s Health Center includes a full-time physician, nurse practitioners, RNs, and an after-hours Health Link phone service; it offers programs and services in education, prevention, and self-care. The campus is located less than five minutes from the region’s largest healthcare facility.
Students can tap into the offerings of Disability Resources, the Talley Center for Counseling Services, with individual therapy, group counseling, crisis intervention, consultation, and referrals; and more.
UMW proudly boasts a solid 89% employment rate within the first year after graduation. This impressive number speaks volumes about the resources, guidance, research, and real-world experiences that students get throughout their college journey. If your student possesses a clear academic direction, yet you harbor uncertainties about how it translates to a job, we’re here to help calm your worries. Check out our career outcomes list that shows what your student can do with their chosen major.
Additionally, students get to tap into a strong alumni network that can help them find cool opportunities in their field. Take a sneak peek at Network Mary Wash.
Imagine witnessing your student thrive in an environment that aligns with their passions and aspirations. We share in this vision wholeheartedly! After you visit campus or request information, our experienced admissions team stands ready to address every inquiry your student might have, ensuring a smooth application process. Your role? Put your faith in us! (And gently nudge your student about important deadlines and the opportunity to interview for our Taking Flight scholarship). Encourage your student to cultivate a rapport with their admission counselor and stay connected through email. Your partnership matters in making their dreams a reality.
To say in the know, sign up for Eagle Family Connection.
Please also put important dates in your calendar.
Early decision is a binding agreement, meaning if you apply to UMW as an ED applicant, you are committing to attend if admitted to the university. You should only apply to one college ED and once you receive your admissions decision cancel any other applications you have submitted. Early Action is non-binding, meaning you are free to apply to other colleges and receive their admissions decisions before selecting the school you will attend.
Celebrate! Then explore Destination UMW, pay your deposit, and review our checklist for admitted students. We’ll guide you step by step through enrollment, orientation, and preparing for the first semester.