UMW Earns a Best Colleges Award With Four Stars From Money
The University of Mary Washington has once again been recognized by Money online, earning four stars out of five in the annual “Best Colleges in America” ranking.
Now in its 12th year, Money’s ranking evaluates more than 700 four-year institutions on 25 metrics tied to value, including graduation rates, net price, student debt and alumni salaries. As Money notes, there’s no single “best” college for every student, but the star ratings are designed to help families compare schools on value, discover standout options and build a college list that fits their budget.
UMW moved up to four stars this year, earning high marks for estimated price, as one of the most affordable among the Virginia schools on the list, with 99% of undergraduates earning grants, and a low median student debt of $20,500.
Money’s analysis draws primarily on federal higher education data, including the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard, along with the outlet’s own calculations of affordability, graduation rates and alumni outcomes. In that way, it provides an indication of how a college affects graduates’ outcomes. The goal is to help families and students ensure money and time are well spent, and highlights schools that compete in terms of value.
For Mary Washington students, in particular, that value includes more than 100 majors, minors and areas of study, experiential learning through internships, undergraduate research and study abroad, and career outcomes upward of 90% for alumni within six months of graduation.
Applications for the University of Mary Washington open August 1. Add UMW to your list on the Common App to get in early for fall 2027.
Learn more about Money’s 2026 Best Colleges in America list and its methodology or explore UMW’s national rankings page for additional recognitions.
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