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    William & Mary

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    Overview

    The College of William and Mary, located in Williamsburg, Virginia, is the second oldest institution of higher education in the United States. It is known for its rigorous academics, strong undergraduate research opportunities, and historic campus. The college also has a notable law school and a strong emphasis on liberal arts education.

    There are currently 6,778 undergraduates at William & Mary and the school’s acceptance rate is 34%. The tuition at William & Mary is $23,970 for in-state students and $47,196 for out-of-state.

    William & Mary
    University University
    Universities are larger institutions that typically contain multiple different schools for different subjects. Students at these schools will be connected to a large group of peers and have many resources at their fingertips.
    21 Suburb
    Suburban schools are a great option for students who want to take advantage of the amenities of the city while escaping the hustle and bustle. At a suburban school you’ll be within a stone’s throw of the city, but you will maintain a strong campus culture and remain grounded in your college’s community.
    https://scholarships360.org/college-admissions/william-and-mary-supplemental-essays/ Supplemental
    Essay
    William & Mary asks applicants to complete a supplemental essay. Check out the “Admissions” page for our essay guide!

    Student Body

    Undergraduate Students

    Undergraduate Students 6,778

    Pell Grant 13%

    Undergrad Students Over 25 1%

    Part-Time Undergrad Students 1%

    Percent Male / Female 42% / 58%

    Ethnic Diversity at William & Mary

    60% White

    11% Asian / Pacific Islander

    9% Hispanic

    7% Multiracial

    6% Black

    4% International / Non-Citizen

    3% Unknown

    Academics Snapshot

    Student/Faculty Ratio

    Student/Faculty Ratio 12:1

    Graduation Rate

    Graduation Rate 91%

    Popular Majors

    Percent of Students

    Social Sciences

    19%

    19% of graduates

    Biological & Biomedical Sciences

    14%

    14% of graduates

    Business, Management, & Marketing

    14%

    14% of graduates

    Psychology

    8%

    8% of graduates

    Physical Sciences

    7%

    7% of graduates

    Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies

    6%

    6% of graduates

    Computer & Information Sciences

    5%

    5% of graduates

    Mathematics

    5%

    5% of graduates

    History

    4%

    4% of graduates

    Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies.

    4%

    4% of graduates

    English Language & Literature

    4%

    4% of graduates

    Languages & Literatures

    2%

    2% of graduates

    Public Administration & Social Services

    2%

    2% of graduates

    Philosophy & Religious Studies

    2%

    2% of graduates

    Area, Ethnic, Cultural, & Gender Studies

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Visual & Performing Arts

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Show More

    Scholarships & Financial Aid Snapshot

    $41,118

    Sticker Price
    Sticker Price

    $44,902

    Average Annual Aid
    Average Annual Aid

    $19,442

    Average Annual Cost
    Average Annual Cost

    Cost Breakdown


    In-State
    Tuition
    $23,970
    Books & Supplies
    $1,080
    Room & Board
    $13,828
    Other
    $2,240

    In-State Estimated Cost:

    $41,118

    for the 2023-2024 Academic Year

    Out-of-State
    Tuition
    $47,196
    Books & Supplies
    $1,080
    Room & Board
    $13,828
    Other
    $2,240

    Out-Of-State Estimated Cost:

    $64,344

    for the 2023-2024 Academic Year

    Since William & Mary is a public university, there are different costs for in-state students and out-of-state students. The sticker price at William & Mary is $41,118 for in-state students in VA, and $64,344 for out-of-state students. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.


    It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any changes in your financial situation, into account.


    College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at William & Mary would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.

    William & Mary Financial Aid

    Students who are applying for financial aid at William & Mary need to submit both the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA), as well as the CSS Profile.


    The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.


    The FAFSA code for William & Mary is 003705 and the CSS Profile Code is 5115.


    It should be noted that while the FAFSA is free, the CSS Profile does require an application fee. However, students can qualify for a CSS Profile application fee waiver if the cost will present a financial hardship for the students’ family.


    If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA or the CSS Profile, check out these resources:


    Stamps Scholarship at William & Mary

    William & Mary participates in the Stamps Scholarship Program, which means that they offer recurring scholarships to select admitted students. These awards range between $6,000 to $90,000 per year. Many schools automatically consider admitted students for Stamps Scholarships. However, some schools have a separate application process; be sure to check William & Mary's website for information on how to apply.

    No Loan Policy at William & Mary

    William & Mary is a no-loan school, which means that their financial aid packages offer students grants and scholarships in place of the federal loans that are typically part of a package. This means that their financial aid is more generous than most, and they help bridge the gap between cost and student need. Some no-loan schools offer this policy for all accepted students while others only extend it to students below a specific income level, or to in-state students. Be sure to check William & Mary's website for details on their No-Loan policy.

    Pell Grants at William & Mary

    12% of students at William & Mary receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to William & Mary.


    You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.

    Outside Scholarships

    William & Mary students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:


    William & Mary Financial Aid Resources

    If you are looking for more information about financial aid and scholarships at William & Mary or have questions that are specific to your personal situation, we recommend that you reach out directly to the financial aid office!


    Here’s how you can get in touch:


    Admissions Snapshot

    34%

    Admission Rate

    33

    Average ACT

    1415 is the median SAT score and 33 is the median ACT score for admitted students at William & Mary. A score that is close to this median value indicates that you have a good chance of admission to the institution. However, it’s important to remember that colleges judge applications holistically. If the rest of your application is strong, it’s possible to make up for lower test scores.

    Does William & Mary have a supplemental essay?

    Yes, applicants to William & Mary will have to write a supplemental essay in order to complete their application. Luckily, we have a guide to help you through that essay prompt and stand out in the application process.


    William & Mary Supplemental Essay Guide

    Is William & Mary test-optional?

    William & Mary is test-optional, which means that it does not require applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that some students will submit their test scores and others will not. If you choose not to submit your ACT or SAT score, the admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurricular activities, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you are not sure whether you should submit your standardized test scores, our guide on submitting scores to test-optional schools can help.

    What SAT/ACT score do you need to get into William & Mary?

    Colleges use standardized tests like the SAT and ACT as one of many factors to determine their admissions decisions. A high score on one of these tests does not guarantee admission to a college, and a low score does not guarantee rejection. However, the majority of accepted applicants to William & Mary receive between a 32 and a 34 on their ACT, or a 1338 and a 1505 on their SAT.

    Can students submit their SAT or ACT Superscore to William & Mary?

    Yes, applicants can submit their SAT or ACT Superscore when they apply to William & Mary. You should be able to find your superscore for either test on your student portal. Keep in mind that some colleges only allow Superscores for one of the two tests, so be sure to check their website for exact details on the Superscore policy.

    November
    1

    Early Decision I

    January
    5

    Early Decision II

    January
    5

    Regular Decision

    What is the application deadline at William & Mary?

    Students must apply by January 5 to enroll at William & Mary during the fall semester. Remember that college applications involve many pieces, including essays, a transcript, letters of recommendation, and more. Be sure to start your application as soon as you can to make sure you have enough time to make it as compelling as possible.


    At William & Mary students also have the opportunity to apply Early Decision. In order to take advantage of this option, you’ll have to have your application in by November 1.


    You can also choose to apply Early Decision II, with a later deadline of January 5.

    Should I apply Regular or Early Decision to William & Mary?

    Applying to William & Mary with Early Decision can be a great decision if you are 100% sure you want to go there. You’ll find out your admissions decision earlier than other students, and some data shows that you may help your admissions chances. However, you should keep in mind that Early Decision is binding. If you do get into the school, you won’t be able to change your mind later. If there is any doubt in your mind, you should apply Early Action or Regular Decision instead.


    Read more: All you need to know about Early Action vs Early Decision

    Student Outcomes Snapshot


    Graduate Income

    Graduate Income $73,490

    Median Debt $18,500

    Debt 10 years after graduation $196

    Graduation Rate 91%

    What is the graduation rate at William & Mary?

    91% of students who start at William & Mary end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 33% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.

    How much do graduates of William & Mary go on to earn?

    10 years after starting school at William & Mary, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $73,490. This is $23,099 more than the national median.


    Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.

    How much do students at William & Mary take out in loans?

    Graduates of William & Mary have to take out a median of $18,500 in federal student loans. This is $5,000 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.

    Data Sources

    We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.

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