Public
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Fredericksburg, Virginia
86.3% Acceptance Rate
University of Mary Washington — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
86.3%Acceptance Rate
3.71Avg GPA
1241Avg SAT
27Avg ACT
$29,234Annual Cost
$60,613Grad Salary
20.2%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
86.3%
Avg GPA
3.71
Avg SAT
1241
Avg ACT
27
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
1140–1330
ACT Middle 50%
23–31
Avg Net Price
$21,108
Need-Based Aid
20.2% receive Pell
University of Mary Washington is a public, liberal arts university in Virginia known for its commitment to academic excellence and personalized education. With a strong focus on critical inquiry and student-faculty collaboration, the university provides a formative education that prepares students for professional and personal success.
University of Mary Washington Acceptance Rate
University of Mary Washington (Mary Washington College) maintains an inclusive admission policy. With an acceptance rate of 86.3%, the institution prioritizes accessibility and opportunity for all qualified students.
Admissions Guidelines
- Inclusive Enrollment: Emphasis is placed on meeting basic eligibility and high school completion.
- Launchpad Policy: Ideal for students looking to build a GPA for future transfer or career certification.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 86.3% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.71 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.51 – 3.70
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.26
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
University of Mary Washington Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for University of Mary Washington is November 15 for Early Decision applicants, with additional plans listed below. Admission decisions are typically released by December 15.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 119 days left — Early Decision
Early Decision
November 15
Decision by: December 15
Regular Decision
February 1
Decision by: April 1
Early Action
November 15
Decision by: January 31
💡 The scholarship deadline (January 15, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Mary Washington College GPA Requirement
The average GPA of the admitted students at Mary Washington College is 3.71. Mary Washington College is highly selective.
Mostly A's with a few B's will keep you competitive. Taking AP/IB courses related to your field will improve your chances.
Note: This is an unweighted GPA on a 4.0 scale. Students with AP or IB courses will typically have a weighted GPA of 3.91-4.11 for this same academic profile.If your GPA is between 3.41 and 3.71, a strong SAT or ACT score is recommended.
Mary Washington College GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Highly selective; GPA is within the typical admitted range.
Recommended Strategy: Standardized Test Scores (SAT/ACT) in the top 5th percentile.
Admissions at Mary Washington College utilize a Holistic Review process. With an average admitted GPA of 3.71, the following table illustrates how your specific academic profile aligns with institutional expectations.
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.71 – 4.00
Competitive Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.51 – 3.70
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.31 – 3.50
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.30
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Expert Insight: 2026 Evaluation Metrics
- The Honors Program supplemental essay is a distinctive "give a 15-minute talk" prompt, not a standard personal statement; the program enrolls 80?100 first-years annually with a typical 3.9+ GPA bar, though standardized test scores are not required for Honors consideration.
- A separate Track B Honors pathway allows students to apply after their first UMW semester with a lower 3.2 UMW GPA, an essay, involvement record, and a faculty recommendation.
- Binding Early Decision requires a multi-party signed agreement (student, parent/guardian, counselor) submitted before the application - a common source of last-minute delays.
- UMW offers a distinct Summer Transition Program (~60 students) and a separate Presidential Emerging Leaders Program (PELP); students may apply to both STP and Honors simultaneously.
- The Rigor Metric: At Mary Washington College, a slightly lower GPA (e.g., 3.8) in a transcript featuring multiple AP or IB courses is often prioritized over a 4.0 in a standard curriculum.
- The Upward Trend: If your early high school grades were lower, an upward trajectory in 11th and 12th grade demonstrates Academic Resilience.
Data Source: Verified via IPEDS and latest Common Data Set (CDS). Reviewed by our academic board led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Mary Washington College
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on University of Mary Washington's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
University of Mary Washington (Mary Washington College) Test Requirements
In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.
Can I Get Into Mary Washington College Without SAT or ACT?
University of Mary Washington considers admission test scores (SAT/ACT) during the application process but does not require them. Although it is not strictly a requirement, the test scores are considered for admission decisions. Hence, it is advisable to prepare well for the test and submit the best scores. Normally, students may appear in the test 2 to 3 times to improve their scores.
University of Mary Washington Average SAT Score: 1241
The average SAT score of the admitted students at University of Mary Washington is 1241 on the 1600 SAT scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1241 — Slightly Competitive
This score makes it slightly Competitive for SAT test scores. You need to do well to score 1241 on the SAT.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1330 SAT or 31 ACT) to stand out. If your scores are below average, consider retaking the test. University of Mary Washington allows Score Choice for the SAT and Superscoring for the ACT, giving you flexibility to submit your best scores.
If your score is below 1140, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Mary Washington College. Retaking the test multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants take the SAT two or three times to achieve their best score. There is no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 590 | 540 | 640 |
| SAT Reading | 645 | 600 | 690 |
| SAT Composite | 1241 | 1140 | 1330 |
It means that if you have scored less than 1140 then you are below most of the admitted students at Mary Washington College and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 1330 or more, your chances of admission are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer scores than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of the upper 25% of the students.
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1250
Can I get into University of Mary Washington (Mary Washington College) with a 1350 SAT?
With a 1350 SAT Score, your chances of admission at University of Mary Washington (Mary Washington College) are good but the admission staff at Mary Washington College tests your all-around personality and your academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission. You need to show better performance in all areas. An equally high GPA, taking IB or AP Courses and your role in leadership activities will increase your chances of admission. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, your chances of admission are high.
University of Mary Washington (Mary Washington College) ACT Requirements
The average ACT Score at Mary Washington College is 27.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 27 — Competitive
This score makes University of Mary Washington Competitive for ACT scores. You need to do well to score 27 on the ACT.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 24 | 19 | 28 |
| ACT English | 28 | 23 | 32 |
| ACT Composite | 27 | 23 | 31 |
Can I get into University of Mary Washington with a 31 ACT?
A 31 ACT places you at the 75th percentile of admitted students at University of Mary Washington — meaning you score higher than 75% of students who were accepted. This is a strong position, but the ACT is just one dimension of your application. Admissions officers at University of Mary Washington use the ACT as a benchmark to validate your academic readiness, not as a standalone admission ticket.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT measures four distinct subject areas — English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science — each scored on a 1–36 scale. If one of your section scores is significantly lower than the others, admissions staff will notice the imbalance. For example, a weak ACT Science score at a STEM-focused institution carries more weight than the same weakness at a liberal arts college. It is worth reviewing your section-level scores and addressing any outliers before applying.
One important advantage the ACT has over the SAT is that University of Mary Washington — like most US universities — accepts Superscoring for the ACT, meaning they take your highest section scores across multiple test attempts and combine them into a new composite. If you have taken the ACT more than once, confirm whether University of Mary Washington uses Superscoring, as this could meaningfully improve your effective composite beyond what any single sitting shows.
Beyond your score, what ultimately determines admission at this level is the strength of your overall profile. Your unweighted GPA, course rigor (AP, IB, or dual enrollment), extracurricular depth, letters of recommendation, and personal essays all carry significant weight. A 31 ACT gets your application through the first filter — but your essays and activities are what move it forward from there.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Mary Washington College
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Mary Washington College is accessible to students who show core competency. The focus should be on proving readiness for college-level work and securing financial aid.
Write the Honors Program's TED-talk essay as a genuine standalone pitch, not a repurposed main essay
UMW's Honors Program supplemental essay asks applicants to write the introduction to a 15-minute talk they'd give on a topic of their choosing - a distinctive, specific prompt format (not a generic "why us" or "tell us about yourself" essay) that rewards genuine intellectual specificity over broad personal narrative. Students should treat this as its own creative-writing challenge requiring a real, narrow topic and a clear takeaway message for the audience, rather than adapting their Common App personal statement to fit the prompt loosely.
Hit the 3.9 GPA threshold or consider the Track B post-matriculation Honors path instead
UMW's Honors Program for incoming first-years specifically reviews students with a 3.9 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) or higher who've completed the most rigorous curriculum available to them, enrolling only 80?100 students per year - a genuinely high bar. Students below this threshold shouldn't rule out Honors entirely: UMW offers a distinct "Track B" path allowing students to apply after their first semester at UMW with a lower 3.2 UMW GPA bar, an application essay, a record of involvement, and a faculty recommendation letter - a real second chance built into the program structure.
Sign the Early Decision Agreement correctly if applying binding ED
UMW's binding Early Decision process requires inviting your counselor to sign the Early Decision Agreement before submitting the application, and the form must carry signatures from the student, a parent or legal guardian, and the high school counselor - a multi-party signature requirement that can create last-minute submission delays if not started early. Students planning to apply ED should initiate this signature process (electronic or printed) at least a few weeks before the deadline, since gathering three separate signatures under deadline pressure is a common self-inflicted bottleneck.
Consider the Summer Transition Program (STP) or Presidential Emerging Leaders Program (PELP) as separate value-adds
UMW offers a Summer Transition Program (about 60 students, beginning with a two-week summer session before first semester and continuing through year one) and a separate Presidential Emerging Leaders Program (PELP), a one-year leadership development track - and students may be considered for both STP and the Honors Program simultaneously, since these aren't mutually exclusive. Students interested in a structured transition or leadership credential should apply to these specifically within the Common App's special programs section rather than assuming general admission consideration covers them.
Expert Insight:
Because "James Monroe Scholars" is a similarly-named honors program at William & Mary (not UMW), and multiple Virginia public universities have overlapping honors program branding, applicants researching UMW's Honors Program should verify they're reading UMW-specific program pages rather than conflating details from a similarly-styled program at a different Virginia school - a genuine source of confusion given how many Virginia public universities market "honors" and "scholars" programs with comparable language.
Mary Washington College Profile
Full Name
University of Mary Washington (Mary Washington College)
City
Fredericksburg
State
Virginia
ZIP Code
22401-5300
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a Mary Washington College Degree Worth It?
Getting into Mary Washington College can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. Mary Washington College offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision.
Please note that the average household income of the admitted students at Mary Washington College is $83,800 and the graduate unemployment rate is 2.33%.
How much does a degree from Mary Washington College Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at University of Mary Washington is $29,234. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at University of Mary Washington is $21,108.
20.2% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 30.8 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to Mary Washington College and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At University of Mary Washington, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist Mary Washington College as your choice in the form.
How much does a Mary Washington College Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $60,613. An average Mary Washington College graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4–6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is $40,595.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than University of Mary Washington. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | 1212 | 25 |
| California Lutheran University | Thousand Oaks, CA | 1224 | 26 |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 1194 | 26 |
| University of Redlands | Redlands, CA | 1231 | 28 |
| Eastern Connecticut State University | Willimantic, CT | 1200 | NA |
| University of Hartford | West Hartford, CT | 1207 | 29 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as University of Mary Washington. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 1251 | 26 |
| University of Redlands | Redlands, CA | 1231 | 28 |
| University of South Florida | Tampa, FL | 1235 | 27 |
| Bradley University | Peoria, IL | 1237 | 28 |
| University of Illinois Chicago | Chicago, IL | 1242 | 29 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than University of Mary Washington. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama in Huntsville | Huntsville, AL | 1321 | 28 |
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 1287 | 28 |
| Auburn University | Auburn, AL | 1318 | 28 |
| University of the Pacific | Stockton, CA | 1303 | 27 |
| Point Loma Nazarene University | San Diego, CA | 1278 | 26 |
Degree Programs at Mary Washington College
Bachelor Degree Programs
Masters Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Mary Washington College Admissions
Graduates of this university typically earn a moderate salary, $60,613 annually, with some fluctuation based on the field.
The tuition fee at this university is relatively low, around $29,234 per year, making it more affordable for many students.
20.2% of students receive a Pell Grant here, which is below the national average of around 35%. This institution serves a higher proportion of higher-income students. Merit-based scholarships may still be available regardless of financial need — check the official financial aid page of the institute for details.
The acceptance rate of University of Mary Washington is 86.3% which is relatively high, above 20%, making it somewhat easier to gain admission compared to other top-tier universities.
The average GPA of admitted students is 3.71. This reflects the competitive academic profile expected from applicants.
While there is no single cutoff that guarantees a rejection, admission staff uses your GPA to determine if you are a best fit. If you have at least a 3.41, you are in the standard pool. If you are below a 3.41, we need to focus on your personal essay and letters of recommendation to explain the context behind your grades.
If your GPA is 3.31 or less, it may make admission difficult. However, your chances may improve if you have strong test scores, extracurricular activities, and essays. But this does not mean that you must not apply, or you do not have any chances. With additional AP courses, you can increase your chances even with this GPA.
While the average GPA of admitted students is 3.71, applicants with lower GPAs can still be considered if they have strong test scores, extracurriculars, and compelling personal essays that demonstrate resilience and potential.
Admission to University of Mary Washington is based on SAT, and a strong SAT score is essential. Aim for scores above 1241 for the best chances, although the overall application strength also matters. Your SAT must be in the range of 1140–1330.
The application deadline for University of Mary Washington is November 15 for Early Decision applicants. Admission decisions are released by December 15.
The scholarship priority deadline is January 15, 2026. Submit your FAFSA before this date for maximum aid consideration.
Yes, many students successfully transfer each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.
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