Students at the University of Mary Washington achieve earnings that consistently exceed expectations, with graduates earning about $2,600 more annually than similar students at other institutions.
This earnings advantage places the university in the top quartile nationally for both overall graduate earnings and outcomes for low-income students.
Azimuth ranks the University of Mary Washington 78th percentile nationally among public four-year institutions, reflecting its strong balance of academic quality and financial outcomes. As a selective public university in Virginia, UMW serves a more traditional student population with about 20% receiving Pell Grants and 25% being first-generation college students, yet still delivers earnings that place graduates well above national averages.
Graduates earn a median of $60,613 ten years after enrollment, with the university achieving earnings beyond expectations that exceed similar institutions by about $2,600 annually. This performance spans across UMW's diverse academic portfolio, from business administration and artificial intelligence to liberal arts fields, demonstrating the institution's ability to prepare students for competitive career outcomes regardless of major choice.
What distinguishes UMW is its position as a "Selective Achievers" institution—combining moderate selectivity with consistently strong graduate outcomes. The university maintains high academic standards while delivering meaningful economic returns, making it an attractive option for families seeking a quality public education that translates into solid long-term financial prospects in Virginia and beyond.
The University of Mary Washington's program portfolio demonstrates strength across both traditional liberal arts and emerging professional fields. Business Administration leads in both scale and aggregate return, graduating 173 students annually with solid early-career earnings around $45,584, making it a cornerstone program that combines high enrollment with reliable career outcomes. The university's commitment to innovation shows in its Artificial Intelligence program, which graduates 66 students with impressive early earnings of approximately $69,002, reflecting strong demand for technical skills in the current job market.
The university maintains its liberal arts foundation through programs like English Language and Literature, which graduates 64 students annually earning around $25,856 in early career years. While these earnings start lower, liberal arts graduates often see significant career growth over time, and UMW's overall earnings beyond expectations suggest that even traditional humanities programs provide valuable career preparation.
What distinguishes UMW's program mix is its balance between practical professional preparation and comprehensive education. The university successfully combines high-return technical and business programs with traditional academic disciplines, creating a diverse educational environment that serves students with varied career interests while maintaining consistently strong long-term outcomes across fields.
University of Mary Washington graduates achieve strong long-term financial outcomes that consistently exceed expectations. Ten years after enrollment, they earn a median of $60,613, placing the university in the 78th percentile nationally for graduate earnings. More importantly, UMW delivers earnings beyond expectations of approximately $2,600 annually compared with similar students at other institutions, demonstrating the university's ability to add meaningful value to students' career trajectories.
Program-level outcomes vary significantly, reflecting UMW's diverse academic portfolio. Business Administration stands out as both the largest program with 173 graduates and the highest aggregate return generator, with graduates earning around $45,584 early in their careers. At the high end, Artificial Intelligence majors command impressive early earnings of approximately $69,002, while the university's strong liberal arts tradition continues through programs like English Language and Literature, which produce graduates earning around $25,856 in early career years.
The university's strength lies in its ability to deliver consistent value across multiple fields of study. Whether students pursue technical fields like artificial intelligence, professional programs like business administration, or traditional liberal arts disciplines, UMW graduates generally outperform earnings expectations. This broad-based success reflects the university's comprehensive approach to career preparation and its strong connections to employers throughout Virginia and the broader Mid-Atlantic region.
The University of Mary Washington presents a moderate affordability profile that aligns with its position as a quality public institution. Low-income students pay approximately $11,137 annually in net price, which sits around the national average for public universities, while middle-income families face costs of about $19,886 per year. High-income families pay roughly $29,234 annually, reflecting the university's standard public pricing structure without significant premium charges.
Debt levels remain manageable for most UMW graduates relative to their earning potential. Typical students leave with about $20,500 in federal loan debt, while families who choose Parent PLUS loans borrow an average of $21,217. With graduates earning a median of $60,613 ten years out, most borrowers can comfortably handle standard repayment schedules, and the university maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, indicating strong graduate financial stability.
What makes UMW's affordability story particularly compelling is the trajectory of loan repayment among graduates. The university's borrowers pay down their balances faster than national averages, with strong performance in early repayment milestones that reflects both solid earnings and responsible financial management. This pattern suggests that while upfront costs are moderate, the long-term financial sustainability for graduates is quite strong.
University Of Mary Washington Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
