University of Virginia vs. William & Mary

Drive a couple hours southeast from Charlottesville and UVA's brick Rotunda gives way to the Wren Building and the colonial streets of Williamsburg, and the two campuses pull you toward very different versions of four years. At UVA you join a large public research university spread out around Jefferson's Lawn. Recruiters work the career fairs, the social sciences and business run deep, and the engineering school William & Mary doesn't field on its own draws a serious crowd. The flip side: in lecture halls that big, nobody chases you down. William & Mary keeps you small. A fraction UVA's size, it puts the social sciences out front and runs on tight, talk-heavy seminars where the professor learns your name. Both are Virginia publics, both charge residents far less, both hold most of their seats for in-state students, and UVA turns away a much steeper share of applicants. If you want a discussion table over a lecture hall and a campus you can cross on foot, point yourself at Williamsburg.

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UVACharlottesville, VA

Acceptance rate

Overall acceptance rate, plus the in-state and out-of-state admit rates the school reports separately.

UVA CDSIn-state vs. out-of-state admit rates from UVA CDS (Fall 2025).
15.6%acceptance rate
Applied
64,457
Admitted
10,086
Enrolled
3,978

Admit rate by residency

% admitted
In-state23.6%
4,092 admitted of 17,370 applicants
Out-of-state13.0%
5,086 admitted of 39,271 applicants
International11.6%
908 admitted of 7,816 applicants

Early decision

UVA offers binding Early Decision. Applying early can meaningfully change your odds — but ED commits you to enroll if admitted.

Early Decision
Binding
Early Action
Non-binding
Restrictive EA
Not offered

Admit rate by application plan

% admitted
Early Decision27.7%
Regular Decision14.6%

~1.9× higher admit rate applying early.

ED Applications
4,969
ED Admitted
1,376

Standardized tests

UVA is currently test-optional — you may apply without submitting scores.

SAT Accepted?

ACT Accepted?

Test Optional?

SAT Scores

4001600
25th Percentile
1410
50th Percentile
1470
75th Percentile
1510

ACT Scores

136
25th Percentile
32
50th Percentile
33
75th Percentile
34

Class rank

Where UVA's enrolled first-years placed in their high school graduating class.

Top tenth of class90.3%
Top quarter of class98.4%
Top half of class99.6%

Based on the 30.4% of enrolled students who reported a class rank. UVA does not publish an average GPA.

Admissions factors

How UVA weighs each part of your application.

→ Importance

Rigor of High School Record

Academic GPA

Standardized Test Scores

Application Essay

Recommendations

Extracurricular Activities

Character / Personal Qualities

Talent / Ability

First Generation

Level of Applicant's Interest

Class Rank

Volunteer Work

Work Experience

Geographical Residence

State Residency

Alumni Relation

Racial / Ethnic Status

Religious Affiliation

Cost of attendance

Estimated full-time annual cost from UVA's Common Data Set. Only tuition changes with residency.

$44,414
In-State
$84,140
Out-of-State
In-StateOut-of-State
Tuition & Fees
$23,254$62,980
Room & Board
$16,070$16,070
Other Expenses
$5,090$5,090
Total
$44,414$84,140

What families actually pay

$0–30k~$8k
$30–48k~$10k
$48–75k~$13k
$75–110k~$21k
$110k+~$35k

Average net price — what was left to pay after grant aid — for students receiving federal financial aid, covering in-state students only.

% of undergrads with Pell grants15.6%

Source: College Scorecard (2026)

Financial aid

Need-based aid statistics for full-time first-year students.

Receiving Aid
31%
Avg. Package
$38,880
Avg. Need Met
100%

Popular majors

Bachelor's degrees awarded in the past year by academic major.

Business & Marketing
Social Sciences
Computer & Information Sciences
Liberal Arts & Sciences
Engineering
Interdisciplinary Studies
Biological Sciences
Other
Business
15%
Social Sci
12%
Comp Sci
10%
Liberal Arts
9%
Engineering
7%
Interdisc.
6%
Bio Sci
4%
Other
37%

Student-faculty ratio

The number of students for every one faculty member, indicating the average level of access students have to instructional staff.

14:1

Student outcomes

First-years who return97%
Graduate within six years94%
Median earnings, 4 yrs after graduation~$91k
Median federal loan debt at graduation~$18k

Median yearly income of former students who received federal aid, across every major, measured four years after graduating (2017–18 and 2018–19 graduates, earnings measured 2022–2023). Debt covers federal loans of students who completed.

Source: College Scorecard (2026)

Programs

UVA’s most popular programs and median pay after graduation. Income data from the US Department of Education’s College Scorecard.

  • Computer & Information Sciences

    337 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$142kmedian pay, 4 yrs after graduation~$17k median debt
  • Biology

    262 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$70kmedian pay, 4 yrs after graduation~$19k median debt
  • Economics

    260 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$111kmedian pay, 4 yrs after graduation~$18k median debt
  • Psychology

    175 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$63kmedian pay, 4 yrs after graduation~$19k median debt
  • Nursing

    153 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$87kmedian pay, 4 yrs after graduation~$15k median debt
Show all 30 programs

Median pay data is measured from graduates who received federal student aid.

Source: College Scorecard (2026) · IPEDS (2023-24) · ABET

Campus life

On-campus housing and Greek life participation rates.

First-Years On Campus
99%
In Fraternities
17%
In Sororities
24%

Place

How the federal government classifies the area around the campus, and what a normal year of weather looks like there.

Setting
Midsize suburb
Location
Charlottesville, VA

Average temperature

Monthly high and low, °F
4528J
4930F
5736M
6846A
7555M
8364J
8768J
8666A
7960S
6949O
5839N
4832D
Snow a year
17 in
Precipitation a year
49 in
Days at 90°F or above
34
Days below 32°F
77

Thirty-year averages, measured at the nearest weather station rather than on campus — they describe the area, not the campus.

Source: IPEDS (HD2024) · NOAA 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, CHARLOTTESVILLE 2W, VA US station, 1.1 mi from campus

Enrollment by gender

44%
56%
Male
7,873
Female
9,960

Student diversity

Racial and ethnic breakdown of enrolled undergraduate students.

White47.7%
Asian and Pacific Islander19.9%
Other16.3%
Hispanic8.5%
Black7.5%
Native American<1%
William & MaryWilliamsburg, VA

Acceptance rate

Overall acceptance rate, plus the in-state and out-of-state admit rates the school reports separately.

W&M AdmissionIn-state vs. out-of-state admit rates from W&M Admission (Class of 2029).
37.0%acceptance rate
Applied
16,895
Admitted
6,245
Enrolled
1,639

Admit rate by residency

% admitted
In-state37%
Out-of-state37%

Early decision

William & Mary offers binding Early Decision. Applying early can meaningfully change your odds — but ED commits you to enroll if admitted.

Early Decision
Binding · I & II
Early Action
Not offered
Restrictive EA
Not offered

Admit rate by application plan

% admitted
Early Decision49.2%
Regular Decision35.8%

~1.4× higher admit rate applying early.

ED Applications
1,477
ED Admitted
727

Standardized tests

William & Mary is currently test-optional — you may apply without submitting scores.

SAT Accepted?

ACT Accepted?

Test Optional?

SAT Scores

4001600
25th Percentile
1390
50th Percentile
1450
75th Percentile
1520

ACT Scores

136
25th Percentile
32
50th Percentile
33
75th Percentile
34

Class rank

Where William & Mary's enrolled first-years placed in their high school graduating class.

Top tenth of class79%
Top quarter of class95%
Top half of class99%

Based on the 30% of enrolled students who reported a class rank. William & Mary does not publish an average GPA.

Admissions factors

How William & Mary weighs each part of your application.

→ Importance

Rigor of High School Record

Academic GPA

Standardized Test Scores

Application Essay

Recommendations

Extracurricular Activities

Character / Personal Qualities

Talent / Ability

First Generation

Level of Applicant's Interest

Class Rank

Volunteer Work

Work Experience

Geographical Residence

State Residency

Alumni Relation

Racial / Ethnic Status

Religious Affiliation

Cost of attendance

Estimated full-time annual cost from William & Mary's Common Data Set. Only tuition changes with residency.

$48,566
In-State
$75,009
Out-of-State
In-StateOut-of-State
Tuition & Fees
$27,235$53,678
Room & Board
$17,646$17,646
Other Expenses
$3,685$3,685
Total
$48,566$75,009

What families actually pay

$0–30k~$3k
$30–48k~$1k
$48–75k~$6k
$75–110k~$17k
$110k+~$34k

Average net price — what was left to pay after grant aid — for students receiving federal financial aid, covering in-state students only.

% of undergrads with Pell grants12.5%

Source: College Scorecard (2026)

Financial aid

Need-based aid statistics for full-time first-year students.

2024–25 CDSWilliam & Mary's 2025-2026 Common Data Set hasn't published this section yet, so this figure is shown from the 2024-2025 edition instead.
Receiving Aid
33%
Avg. Package
$29,030
Avg. Need Met
82%

Popular majors

Bachelor's degrees awarded in the past year by academic major.

Social Sciences
Business & Marketing
Biological Sciences
Psychology
Interdisciplinary
Other
Social Sci
19.9%
Business
10.9%
Life Sci
9.7%
Psychology
8.7%
Interdisc
8%
Other
42.8%

Student-faculty ratio

The number of students for every one faculty member, indicating the average level of access students have to instructional staff.

2024–25 CDSWilliam & Mary's 2025-2026 Common Data Set hasn't published this section yet, so this figure is shown from the 2024-2025 edition instead.
13:1

Student outcomes

First-years who return95%
Graduate within six years89%
Median earnings, 4 yrs after graduation~$80k
Median federal loan debt at graduation~$19k

Median yearly income of former students who received federal aid, across every major, measured four years after graduating (2017–18 and 2018–19 graduates, earnings measured 2022–2023). Debt covers federal loans of students who completed.

Source: College Scorecard (2026)

Programs

William & Mary’s most popular programs and median pay after graduation. Income data from the US Department of Education’s College Scorecard.

  • Business Administration & Management

    193 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$111kmedian pay, 4 yrs after graduation~$20k median debt
  • Biology

    171 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$50kmedian pay, 4 yrs after graduation~$15k median debt
  • Political Science

    138 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$72kmedian pay, 4 yrs after graduation~$20k median debt
  • Psychology

    137 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$59kmedian pay, 4 yrs after graduation~$18k median debt
  • Kinesiology & Exercise Science

    115 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$69kmedian pay, 4 yrs after graduation~$21k median debt
Show all 21 programs
  • History

    101 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$64kmedian pay, 4 yrs after graduation~$15k median debt
  • Computer Science

    93 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$128kmedian pay, 4 yrs after graduation~$20k median debt
  • Neuroscience

    73 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$52kmedian pay, 4 yrs after graduation~$17k median debt
  • Economics

    68 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$105kmedian pay, 4 yrs after graduation~$20k median debt
  • English

    52 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$58kmedian pay, 4 yrs after graduation~$19k median debt
  • Chemistry

    47 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$78kmedian pay, 4 yrs after graduation~$18k median debt
  • Data Science

    42 degrees (2023-24)

    Not publishedmedian pay after graduation
  • Public Policy

    42 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$69kmedian pay, 4 yrs after graduation~$22k median debt
  • Mathematics

    33 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$87kmedian pay, 4 yrs after graduation~$20k median debt
  • Physics

    32 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$78kmedian pay, 4 yrs after graduation~$21k median debt
  • Linguistics & Language Studies

    23 degrees (2023-24)

    Not publishedmedian pay after graduation
  • Area Studies

    21 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$69kmedian pay, 4 yrs after graduation~$13k median debt
  • Philosophy

    19 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$75kmedian pay, 4 yrs after graduation~$18k median debt
  • Earth & Geological Sciences

    17 degrees (2023-24)

    Not publishedmedian pay after graduation
  • Fine & Studio Arts

    17 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$30kmedian pay, 1 yr after graduation
  • Music

    1 degrees (2023-24)

    Not publishedmedian pay after graduation

Median pay data is measured from graduates who received federal student aid.

Source: College Scorecard (2026) · IPEDS (2023-24)

Campus life

On-campus housing and Greek life participation rates.

First-Years On Campus
99%
In Fraternities
N/A
In Sororities
N/A

Place

How the federal government classifies the area around the campus, and what a normal year of weather looks like there.

Setting
Small suburb
Location
Williamsburg, VA

Average temperature

Monthly high and low, °F
4931J
5232F
6039M
7048A
7757M
8465J
8970J
8769A
8163S
7151O
6141N
5334D
Snow a year
4 in
Precipitation a year
51 in
Days at 90°F or above
37
Days below 32°F
68

Thirty-year averages, measured at the nearest weather station rather than on campus — they describe the area, not the campus.

Source: IPEDS (HD2024) · NOAA 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, WILLIAMSBURG 2 N, VA US station, 2.2 mi from campus

Enrollment by gender

40%
60%
Male
2,806
Female
4,132

Student diversity

Racial and ethnic breakdown of enrolled undergraduate students.

White63%
Other11.9%
Asian and Pacific Islander11%
Hispanic9.1%
Black4.9%
Native American<1%

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UVA vs. William & Mary: frequently asked questions

UVA is the tougher admit. It took about 16.8% of applicants last cycle (roughly 9,909 of 58,951), while William & Mary admitted about 37.0% (roughly 6,245 of 16,895). The enrolled academic profiles sit close together, with middle-50% SAT scores of 1410–1520 at UVA and 1390–1520 at W&M. UVA's larger, more competitive applicant pool accounts for most of the gap.

On out-of-state sticker price, William & Mary wins: tuition and required fees run about $53,678 against UVA's $60,787. Aid reorders things for students with need, though. UVA meets 100% of demonstrated need with an average package near $37,123, while W&M meets about 82% with an average near $29,030. A student who qualifies for substantial aid can watch UVA's full-need pledge erase or reverse that sticker advantage.

For Virginia residents, UVA posts the lower in-state sticker, roughly $22,406 in tuition and required fees versus about $27,235 at William & Mary. Both schools hold most seats for Virginians, with out-of-state students making up 31% of UVA's undergraduates and 39% of W&M's. Factor in aid (UVA meets 100% of demonstrated need, W&M about 82%) and a resident's real cost swings with their financial circumstances.

UVA dwarfs William & Mary in size, enrolling about 17,901 undergraduates to W&M's 6,951, roughly two and a half times as many. Both still keep classes intimate for their type, running student-faculty ratios of 14-to-1 at UVA and 13-to-1 at W&M, with nearly all first-years housed on campus at each. The size gap surfaces in breadth of offerings and social scale rather than in crowded classrooms.

Engineering students should head to UVA. It operates a full engineering school that confers about 10% of degrees, alongside a sizable computer and information sciences program at about 8%. William & Mary lists no standalone engineering major and instead concentrates its strength in the social sciences (about 20% of degrees), business, biology, and psychology. UVA fits the future engineer; W&M rewards a student drawn to liberal-arts and social-science depth.

Breadth defines UVA's degree mix, which liberal arts and general studies lead at about 16%, trailed by the social sciences (13%), engineering (10%), and business (9%). William & Mary concentrates harder in the social sciences, its single largest field at about 20% of bachelor's degrees, with business, biological sciences, and psychology filling out the top tier. Both schools tilt toward arts and sciences, yet UVA layers on professional tracks that W&M largely cedes to other institutions.

Source: University of Virginia Common Data Set 2025-2026. Figures transcribed 2026-06-26. Esslo aggregates publicly reported data and is not affiliated with UVA. Banner photo by Phil Roeder, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0).

Source: William & Mary Common Data Set 2025-2026. Figures transcribed 2026-06-07. Student-Faculty Ratio, % of Full-Time First-Years Awarded Need-Based Grant Aid, Average Aid Package, Students With Need Who Received Aid, and Average % of Need Met, Students With Need Who Received Aid are from the 2024-2025 edition. Esslo aggregates publicly reported data and is not affiliated with William & Mary. Banner photo by Smash the Iron Cage, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).