About

About William & Mary

historic public universitysmall class sizesselective admissionsstrong social sciencescolonial williamsburg setting

William & Mary is a public research university in Williamsburg, VA, known for its small class sizes, strong social sciences, and colonial williamsburg setting. With an acceptance rate of 34%, William & Mary is selective, typically enrolling around 1,642 students each year. William & Mary is test optional; students who submit scores are typically admitted with SATs between 1400–1530, though many competitive applicants choose not to submit. William & Mary offers merit scholarships regardless of financial need, with awards averaging $21,182 per year; the sticker price of $63,850 may look very different from what your family actually pays.

Admissions

William & Mary acceptance rate and admitted student profile

selective

34%
Overall Accept Rate
4.00
Typical Admitted GPA
1465
Median Admitted SAT
GPATypical admitted range: 4.00 – 4.00 unweighted

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SATSubmitted score range: 1400 – 1530 (test optional)

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Application Strategy

Strategy tips for applying to William & Mary

The first 2 tips apply to all applicants. Your personalized strategy requires your profile — build your free list to unlock it.

Essay Strategy
William and Mary takes its essays very seriously, so use your writing to show genuine engagement with its identity as a public university with a strong civic and intellectual tradition. Reference specific programs, professors, or initiatives like the Whole of Government Center or the Tribe Athletics culture to make your interest feel concrete and researched.
Application Strategy
If you have a strong academic record, apply to the Charles Center Honors Fellows program or mention interest in the undergraduate research community directly in your application. William and Mary students who engage in faculty research early stand out, and signaling that you want to be one of them can strengthen your case.

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Financial Aid & Cost

What William & Mary actually costs your family

Average net prices by income bracket from College Scorecard data.

Family IncomeSticker PriceAvg. Net Cost / yr
0-30k~$64k/yr$3.1k
30k-48k~$64k/yr$0.9k
48k-75k~$64k/yr$5.9k
75k-110k~$64k/yr$16.8k
110k+~$64k/yr$34.4k

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Outcomes & Campus

Student outcomes and campus profile

91%
6-Year Graduation Rate
$63k
Median Earnings (6 yrs)
11:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
6,352
Undergrad Enrollment

Student Body

Student body composition

Race & Ethnicity

62%White
12%Asian
9%Hispanic
7%Two or More Races
5%Black / African American
3%International
1%Unknown / Unreported
0%American Indian / AK Native
Gender41% Men · 59% Women
Citizenship / Immigration Status97% Citizens and Immigrants · 3% International
William & Mary, Williamsburg Acceptance Rate & Admissions | SpearMatch