‘Fiske Guide to Colleges’ Recommends UMW for Price and Place
The University of Mary Washington has again been included in the Fiske Guide to Colleges, a top-rated annual resource for students, parents and guidance counselors. Selection for the guide begins with strong academics, with essays covering student life, campus setting, financial aid, housing and dining.
UMW is one of 11 Virginia schools in the 2027 publication, which has been a bestseller since it first appeared more than four decades ago. It summarizes more than 300 of the “best and most interesting” of the country’s 2,300 institutions, sourcing input from current students and sharing their stories.
Price is a standout point in the publication, with UMW recognized among the inexpensive public colleges and universities, with the Fiske Guide noting that as a “public liberal arts and sciences university, it offers a comparable amount of history and tradition albeit for a lower price,” than private schools. In fact, Fiske reports “few schools stack up to this small college in Fredericksburg.”
The college experience is highlighted by a “Beyond the Classroom” component encompassing research, community engagement, study abroad or internships. Nearly every major requires students to complete a capstone project or take a senior-level seminar.
Several programs earn special recognition: “Among the sciences, biology and chemistry are favorites. The international affairs program benefits from the university’s proximity to Washington, D.C., and communication and digital studies, geography, education, and theatre are also strengths. Popular majors include business and marketing, psychology, English and computer science. New majors include applied mathematics and statistics, data science, and kinesiology.”
For students, the experience is top-notch regardless of major. As one political science major notes, “We are able to fully participate and not be another number in a room of hundreds.” A biomedical science major adds, “The quality of the instructors is so outstanding that students can overcome any obstacles.”
Student life thrives any day of the week. As one senior put it, “From Tuesday night bingo to live music events, there is always something happening on campus.” Athletics are also a big part of that energy with 18 Division III athletic teams, an internationally known rugby program, rising esports team and a well-established equestrian program. Tickets are easy to come by for the nearby minor league Fredericksburg Nationals, and the national champion UMW men’s basketball team draws crowds of its own. Beyond varsity sports, more than 20 club sports and a variety of intramurals, including basketball, no-tackle football, soccer and pickleball give every student a way to get in the game.
The publication concludes its review with the words of a biomedical science major, who said UMW is “a school where you can get your degree and enjoy the campus and places around it at the same time.”
The UMW Application for fall 2027 opens August 1 via the Common Application. To apply, schedule a visit, or request information, visit the UMW Admissions webpage. Explore UMW’s national rankings page for additional recognitions.
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