Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks University of Mary Washington #765 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $59,661, placing University of Mary Washington in the 44.9 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. University of Mary Washington sits in the 17.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. --- University of Mary Washington's composite ranking reflects a balance of access, affordability, and mobility working together. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $59,661, supported by earnings beyond expectations that place the institution in the 17.8 percentile among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks University of Mary Washington #765 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 47.9 percentile for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A public baccalaureate college in Fredericksburg, VA, University of Mary Washington enrolls roughly 3,566 undergraduates. Retention is 84.4% and the six-year graduation rate is 66.4%, reflecting solid student persistence through degree completion. Where University of Mary Washington performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks University of Mary Washington #986 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 33.3 percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $59,661, placing University of Mary Washington in the 44.9 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $11,384 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing University of Mary Washington in the 17.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. University of Mary Washington sits in the 30.1 percentile for access and the 56.9 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution enrolls 21.1% Pell-eligible students and 24.8% first-generation college students, reflecting a student body with meaningful financial and educational barriers. As a regional public baccalaureate institution with a social-sciences-focused curriculum, University of Mary Washington delivers measurable earnings gains relative to similar students at comparable institutions, positioning it as a solid value option for students prioritizing long-term financial outcomes over prestige or scale.
University of Mary Washington's published cost of attendance is $31,137. Need-based aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $10,304, middle-income families pay around $15,477, and higher-income families pay approximately $30,986. Azimuth ranks University of Mary Washington #615 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. As a public regional university, Mary Washington's pricing reflects Virginia's public-tuition structure combined with institutional aid. The university participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans) and state aid programs, and need-based scholarships help close the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay. The affordability rank reflects both the headline cost and the debt load graduates carry: understanding how net price differs from published cost is essential when comparing institutions. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $20,500, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $26,240; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $59,661, median federal debt of $20,500 projects to a monthly payment of about $232 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
University of Mary Washington is a strong fit for students seeking a public liberal arts education in Virginia with a focus on the social sciences and humanities — particularly those who value small class sizes and historic campus settings. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $59,661, placing University of Mary Washington in the 44.9 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They earn about $11,384 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 17.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university enrolls students from a range of backgrounds with 21.1% of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants and 24.8% identifying as first-generation. Low-income graduates show outcomes in the 70.6 percentile nationally — a historical 10-year Scorecard measure not yet updated to the 4-year horizon. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 79.8% admit rate reflects selective admissions, and the Social Sciences-heavy program mix (15% of degrees) favors liberal arts over professional fields. Students aligned with these academic interests will find a distinctive public liberal arts experience.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
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This is the University Of Mary Washington hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
University of Mary Washington's published cost of attendance is $31,137. Need-based aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $10,304, middle-income families pay around $15,477, and higher-income families pay approximately $30,986.
Azimuth ranks University of Mary Washington #615 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
As a public regional university, Mary Washington's pricing reflects Virginia's public-tuition structure combined with institutional aid. The university participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans) and state aid programs, and need-based scholarships help close the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay.
The affordability rank reflects both the headline cost and the debt load graduates carry: understanding how net price differs from published cost is essential when comparing institutions. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $20,500, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $26,240; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $59,661, median federal debt of $20,500 projects to a monthly payment of about $232 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of University of Mary Washington earn median 4-year earnings of $59,661, placing University of Mary Washington in the 44.9 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $11,384 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing University of Mary Washington in the 17.8 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks University of Mary Washington #986 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects University of Mary Washington's concentration in Social Sciences.
Business Administration is the largest program with 126 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $72,382, performing at 1.1× the national benchmark for the field. The General Studies program graduates 114 students earning $54,336, while Psychology, General and Biology, General round out the top programs with 96 and 92 graduates respectively.
These programs collectively shape the institution's long-term financial outcomes for students across the social sciences and related fields.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Puerto Rico-Carolina Similar quality tier (#22612 ranked) | PR | 55% | $30,626 | #22612 | Compare |
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania Similar quality tier (#22632 ranked) | PA | 87% | $56,351 | #22632 | Compare |
Minnesota State University Moorhead Similar quality tier (#22594 ranked) | MN | 59% | $50,527 | #22594 | Compare |
Northwest Missouri State University Similar quality tier (#22588 ranked) | MO | 86% | $47,885 | #22588 | Compare |
Northwestern Oklahoma State University Similar quality tier (#22584 ranked) | OK | 65% | $44,358 | #22584 | Compare |
Computer and Information Sciences, General
63 graduates
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
55 graduates
Mathematics
21 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
126 graduates
Economics
20 graduates
University of Mary Washington's program mix is anchored in Social Sciences, a signature that shapes both enrollment patterns and career outcomes across the institution. Business Administration is the largest program with 126 graduates, followed by General Studies, Psychology, General, Biology, General, and English Language and Literature, General.
Across 26 total programs, 0 meet Azimuth's ranking threshold, reflecting a focused portfolio aligned with the institution's liberal arts identity. The highest-earning programs at University of Mary Washington cluster in fields where graduates enter stable, well-compensated careers.
Artificial Intelligence leads with median earnings of $95,461 four years after enrollment, followed by Nursing at $91,861, Business Administration at $72,382, Biology, General at $61,864, and Political Science at $60,881. These outcomes reflect both the quality of preparation in these fields and the labor-market demand for graduates in the Fredericksburg and broader Mid-Atlantic region.
The institution's program distribution emphasizes Social Sciences at 15%, along with meaningful enrollment in Business at 12% and Arts at 6%. This balance reflects a liberal arts approach where students gain breadth across disciplines while developing depth in their major field.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these program families align with regional and national labor-market trends.
