UMW Rises to No. 8 in U.S. News Ranking of Top Public Liberal Arts Colleges

The University of Mary Washington continues to stand among the nation’s best, earning a Top 10 spot in the 2026 U.S News & World Report “Best Colleges” ranking released today.

UMW tied for No. 8 on the prestigious list of Top Public Schools – National Liberal Arts Colleges, up one place from last year. In the overall ranking of national liberal arts colleges, which includes both public and private institutions, Mary Washington tied for No. 131.

“Recognition from U.S. News affirms what our students and alumni already know – that Mary Washington provides a powerful undergraduate experience rooted in close faculty mentorship, small classes and meaningful opportunities beyond the classroom,” said UMW President Troy Paino.

In addition to the Top Public Schools ranking, several UMW programs were recognized on individual lists, including No. 335 Undergraduate Business Programs, No. 367 Undergraduate Psychology Programs, No. 410 Undergraduate Computer Science Programs and No. 480 Bachelor of Science in Nursing Programs. UMW ranks No. 177 among Top Performers on Social Mobility.

The U.S. News methodology incorporates more than 80 measures designed to highlight colleges that excel in academics, affordability, social mobility, teaching and outcomes. Nearly 1,500 U.S. institutions are ranked across 10 broad categories, from National Liberal Arts Colleges to Regional Universities, so that schools are compared with peers that share a similar mission.

Geography students do hands-on research with a faculty member at the Crow’s Nest conservation area. Opportunities to do original research are among the many hands-on learning experiences available to UMW students. Photo by Parker Michels-Boyce

Members of the University of Mary Washington Jazz Ensemble rehearse. The group performs contemporary jazz arrangements and big band favorites. Photo by Norm Shafer.

A UMW student tries out a pair of virtual reality goggles. High-tech learning, including sessions on artificial intelligence, is a top priority at Mary Washington.

Students work to construct props for an upcoming dramatic performance. UMW Theatre students learn about set construction, costume making and more, and they go on to careers on Broadway and beyond.

A student works on a research project inside UMW’s Jepson Science Center. Home to Mary Washington’s biological sciences, chemistry and physics departments, the center is the ideal spot for the type of one-on-one research that abounds at UMW, where students get to work side-by-side with faculty mentors.

The annual “Best Colleges” rankings provide prospective students and their families with the comparative merits of the undergraduate programs at America’s colleges and universities. The rankings offer detailed information about the institutions and data on factors considered in the methodology, such as graduation rates, graduate indebtedness and post-graduate earnings.

“U.S. News’ ‘Best Colleges’ remains a reliable resource for prospective students and their families as they navigate the college selection process,” said LaMont Jones, managing editor for education at U.S. News. “With over half of the ranking factors dedicated to student outcomes, the rankings and editorial content provide vital data, college advice and informed reporting to every student pursuing higher education.”

The ranking follows a series of recent national recognitions for UMW, including being named among The Princeton Review’s Best Colleges and Best Value Colleges, with specialized rankings for Making an Impact and Internships. Fiske Guide to Colleges named UMW one of the nation’s “best and most interesting” schools in its latest edition, and Money highlighted UMW on its Best Colleges in America list for affordability and return on investment.

Other recent rankings include Washington Monthly placing UMW No. 88 among liberal arts colleges and No. 97 in its Best Bang for the Buck list, citing affordability and service. Forbes included UMW among America’s Top Colleges, ranking it 316 based on undergraduate outcomes.

Applications for admission to UMW for fall 2026 are open now, with daily tours, info sessions and weekend visits available as well as ways to explore the campus virtually. Fall open houses are scheduled for Sept. 27, Oct. 18 and Nov. 8, offering a firsthand look at academic programs, student life and the admissions process.

Learn more about the 2026 edition of the U.S. News Best Colleges rankings and its methodology or explore UMW’s national rankings webpage for additional recognitions.