William & Mary combines selective admissions with strong economic outcomes. As a Selective Achievers institution, the university produces $2,151 in earnings beyond expectations while maintaining debt levels below peer institutions, supporting long-term financial stability for graduates across diverse liberal arts and professional programs.
With top-tier performance, driven by strong long-term earnings relative to educational investment
Around the national average, reflecting moderate costs and debt levels
With well above average performance, reflecting the university's ability to generate earnings growth despite limited access
With well above average performance, reflecting the university's ability to generate earnings growth despite limited access
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisWilliam & Mary delivers strong earnings outcomes with manageable debt levels for graduates. Students earn a median of $73,490 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 89th percentile nationally.
Earnings range from $48,980 at the 25th percentile to $112,948 at the 75th percentile, reflecting diverse career paths across liberal arts and professional programs. The institution generates $2,151 in earnings beyond expectations, placing it above average nationally on this measure.
Students seeking prestigious liberal arts education with strong alumni networks and career outcomes. Well-suited for high-achieving applicants comfortable with selective admission standards and moderate debt levels who value the combination of academic rigor and post-graduation earning potential in business, government, and professional fields.
William & Mary admits approximately 32.7% of applicants, meaning roughly 1 in 3 applicants receives an offer of admission. This places William & Mary in the selective category nationally, with admission standards significantly more competitive than typical four-year institutions.
The peer median admission rate of 84.6% highlights the substantial difference between William & Mary's selectivity and most public universities. Among public institutions, William & Mary maintains admission standards comparable to flagship universities while delivering outcomes that justify the competitive process.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
William & Mary's published cost of attendance is $41,118 per year for Virginia residents, including $25,040 in in-state tuition, $14,555 for room and board, and $1,080 for books and supplies. Out-of-state students face significantly higher costs with tuition of $49,412.
However, the average student pays $22,529 after financial aid, representing savings of $18,589 from the sticker price. This average net price of $22,529 is $8,436 higher than the peer median of $14,093, reflecting William & Mary's position as a selective public institution with pricing above typical public universities.
The gap between published costs and actual net prices demonstrates substantial financial aid distribution, though families should expect higher costs than at most public institutions. Net prices vary dramatically by family income, ranging from $6,616 for the lowest-income students to $35,264 for highest-income families.
This progressive pricing structure ensures access for qualified lower-income students while maintaining revenue from higher-income families who can afford closer to full costs.
Computer Science.
73 graduates
Algebra and Number Theory.
80 graduates
Business Administration and Management, General.
193 graduates
Analytical Chemistry.
56 graduates
Applied Economics.
142 graduates
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Hampden-Sydney College Higher acceptance rate (17.4 percentage points higher) and located 97 miles away; similar graduate earnings | VA | 50% | $67,640 | Compare |
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the William & Mary hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/william-mary/analysis.
Top-tier return on investment performance
William & Mary ranks #231 nationally in Azimuth's composite analysis, with strong performance at the 85.9th percentile. Located in Williamsburg, Virginia, this medium-sized public university maintains selective admission standards with a 32.7% acceptance rate while delivering well above average post-graduation outcomes.
William & Mary enrolls 12.1% Pell-eligible students and 13.2% first-generation students, reflecting limited access to low-income students despite its public status. Graduates earn $2,151 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 64.4th percentile nationally.
Median earnings reach $73,490 ten years after enrollment, placing William & Mary in the 89th percentile for long-term earnings. Compared to a peer median of $50,116, graduates earn $23,374 more annually.
This combination of selective admissions, limited access, and strong economic outcomes places William & Mary within the Selective Achievers quadrant, where institutions deliver strong outcomes while serving fewer low-income students.
This level of selectivity means that qualified students still face meaningful uncertainty in the admission process, though odds are more favorable than at the most competitive private institutions. For prospective applicants, William & Mary should be considered a target or slight reach school depending on academic credentials.
Students should build comprehensive college lists that include institutions with higher acceptance rates to ensure admission options. The combination of public status with selective admission creates a unique position in the higher education landscape, offering prestigious liberal arts education at public university pricing for admitted students.
William & Mary graduates demonstrate consistent earnings growth over time. Median earnings rise from $62,959 six years after enrollment to $67,721 at eight years and $73,490 at ten years, representing 16.7% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on a ten-year cohort of 910 graduates, providing high confidence in the reported figures. Graduates earn $2,151 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing William & Mary above average for earnings uplift at the 64.4th percentile.
Low-income graduates earn $76,500, ranking among the top 5% nationally despite the institution's limited enrollment of Pell-eligible students. Earnings span from $48,980 at the 25th percentile to $112,948 at the 75th percentile, with the 2.3:1 ratio reflecting differences in program choice and career trajectory.
Approximately 23.7% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating strong preparation for both advanced education and workforce entry across diverse fields.
William & Mary offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for ranking. Analytical Chemistry ranks #1 nationally with a perfect value score of 100.0, producing 56 graduates with median earnings of $72,660.
Computer Science graduates 73 students earning $104,938, ranking #72 nationally but #1 in Virginia. Business Administration ranks #24 nationally and #2 in Virginia, graduating 193 students with median earnings of $85,678 and a strong value score of 93.2.
Algebra and Number Theory ranks #15 nationally, while Exercise Science and Kinesiology ranks #11 nationally with a value score of 95.2. Multi-Interdisciplinary Studies ranks #17 nationally and #1 in Virginia, reflecting the institution's strength across diverse academic areas.
The Catholic University Of America Higher acceptance rate (51.1 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | DC | 84% | $73,250 | Compare |
Virginia Military Institute Higher acceptance rate (49 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | VA | 82% | $77,369 | Compare |
Christopher Newport University Same state (19 miles away) (earnings difference: 17.7%) and similar program focus; same institution type | VA | 88% | $60,509 | Compare |
St. Mary's College Of Maryland Same region (65 miles away) (earnings difference: 18.2%) and similar program focus; same institution type | MD | 75% | $60,110 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of West Florida Similar quality tier in Southeast (#234 ranked) | FL | 57% | $49,137 | #234 | Compare |
Rowan University Similar quality tier (#232 ranked) | NJ | 78% | $59,988 | #232 | Compare |
University Of Kansas Similar quality tier (#236 ranked) | KS | 88% | $61,945 | #236 | Compare |
Central Connecticut State University Similar quality tier (#228 ranked) | CT | 76% | $58,562 | #228 | Compare |
Eastern Kentucky University Similar quality tier in Southeast (#226 ranked) | KY | 78% | $45,795 | #226 | Compare |
