William & Mary is a public research university located in Williamsburg, read Virginia, and holds a singular place in American higher education. Established in 1693 by British royal charter, it is the second-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States, predated only by Harvard . Often called the “Alma Mater of a Nation,” William & Mary combines the intimacy of a liberal arts college with the resources of a modern research university, offering an educational experience that is both historically grounded and forward-looking.
A Legacy of American Leadership
William & Mary’s history is woven into the fabric of the American story. The university counts four U.S. presidents among its alumni: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, and John Tyler . Jefferson, who studied at William & Mary before founding the University of Virginia, described it as the institution where he “received the first impressions” of his intellectual life.
Beyond the presidency, William & Mary alumni have shaped American law, government, and culture. The university educated three U.S. Supreme Court justices, including John Marshall, the fourth Chief Justice whose legal opinions established the foundation of American constitutional law. The university’s law school, founded in 1779, is the oldest law school in the United States .
Academic Excellence and Recognition
William & Mary is consistently recognized as one of the nation’s leading public universities. In 2025, Forbes named it a “New Ivy”, and the university was recently classified as an R1 research institution—the highest classification for research activity—while maintaining its reputation as a Public Ivy .
The university enrolls approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 2,700 graduate students, maintaining a moderate size that fosters close interaction between students and faculty . With a student-to-faculty ratio that supports small classes and personal attention, William & Mary offers the benefits of a liberal arts college within a public university setting .
Academic Structure
William & Mary is organized into five faculties: Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, Law, and Marine Science . The university offers more than 50 undergraduate majors and minors, ranging from traditional disciplines like Government, History, and English to interdisciplinary programs including Environmental Science and Policy, Film and Media Studies, and Data Science .
The Mason School of Business offers undergraduate degrees in Accounting, Finance, Business Analytics, and Marketing, while the School of Education provides graduate programs in teaching, counseling, and educational administration . The Virginia Institute of Marine Science is a leading research institution for coastal and marine science .
A Distinctive Campus Culture
William & Mary’s campus in Williamsburg is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful in the nation, featuring the Wren Building, the oldest academic building still in use in the United States . The campus is celebrated for its collegiate Gothic architecture, brick pathways, and the iconic Sunken Garden .
The university’s traditions are central to its identity. Students participate in Opening Convocation, walking through the Wren Building as the bell rings; the Yule Log ceremony at mid-year; and the ringing of the Wren Bell on the last day of classes . These traditions connect generations of alumni who return for events like Homecoming & Reunion Weekend .
Student life is vibrant and engaged, with more than 400 clubs and organizations and a strong culture of community . Students describe the atmosphere as welcoming and supportive, with a “quirky” but inclusive character . One student noted, “The people make the place, and at W&M, that is more than true” .
Admissions and Selectivity
William & Mary is highly selective. For the Class of 2030, the university received 17,432 applications and made 6,001 offers of admission, for an acceptance rate of 34% . go to these guys The university set a record for Early Decision applications, receiving 1,606 applications—up 9% from the previous year .
Admitted students present strong academic credentials:
Affordability and Financial Aid
Despite its prestige, William & Mary offers strong value. The university’s net price—the amount students pay after aid and grants—remains one of the lowest in Virginia . On average, William & Mary offers the most generous institutional financial aid of any Virginia public university .
Key financial aid outcomes:
- 100% of demonstrated financial need is usually met for in-state undergraduates
- Half of each entering class receives some form of financial aid
- The average aid amount for in-state recipients is two-and-a-half times the average for other Virginia public universities
Among Virginia public universities, William & Mary is the **most affordable school for families making under $75,000 per year** and third for those making $75,000 to $110,000 . The university was ranked 11th among the best value public schools by The Princeton Review in 2025 .
William & Mary graduates also take on less debt. Among the Class of 2025, 33% of graduates had federal loan debt, with a median amount of $20,500—approximately 20% less than the median for graduates of all Virginia public institutions .
Notable Alumni
William & Mary’s alumni network spans entertainment, government, business, and science:
Entertainment and Media:
- Jon Stewart ’84 — Comedian and former host of The Daily Show
- Glenn Close ’74 — Award-winning actress (Fatal Attraction, 101 Dalmatians)
- Patton Oswalt ’91 — Comedian and actor (Ratatouille, The King of Queens)
- Bill Lawrence ’90 — Creator of Ted Lasso and Scrubs
Government and Public Service:
- Robert Gates ’65 — Former U.S. Secretary of Defense and CIA Director
- Jen Psaki ’00 — Former White House Press Secretary
Business:
- Ted Decker ’85 — Chair, President, and CEO of The Home Depot
- Mark Smucker ’92 — CEO of The J.M. Smucker Co.
- Todd Boehly ’96 — Co-owner and chairman of Chelsea Football Club
Athletics:
- Jill Ellis ’88 — Former championship-winning head coach of the U.S. Women’s Soccer National Team
- Mike Tomlin ’95 — Former head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers
- Sean McDermott ’98 — Former head coach of the Buffalo Bills
Athletics and Academic Excellence
William & Mary competes in NCAA Division I as a member of the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA), fielding 23 varsity sports . The university has won 2 NCAA championships (men’s tennis) and 149 CAA championships .
What distinguishes William & Mary athletics is its commitment to academic excellence. The university’s Federal Graduation Rate has ranked in the top two among all public university athletics departments for 21 consecutive years . In 2026, 205 student-athletes earned Provost Awards for maintaining a GPA of 3.5 or higher, marking the seventh straight year that 200 or more were recognized .
A University of Consequence
William & Mary offers a distinctive educational experience: the rigor and prestige of a historic institution combined with the accessibility of a public university. Its moderate size fosters genuine community, its traditions connect generations, and its commitment to affordability makes it attainable for Virginia families and beyond.
For students seeking an education that is intellectually challenging, historically rooted, and personally transformative, William & Mary stands as one of the nation’s finest public universities—a place where, useful source as the university describes itself, “curiosity meets possibility” .