College of William & Mary

Founded in 1693, William & Mary is a public research institution located in Williamsburg, Virginia. It is the second-oldest college in the United States. It was originally named for King William III and Queen Mary II of England, who reigned at the time of its founding. The university is affectionately known as “America’s Alma Mater” because of its connections to the founding fathers. It’s home to the first law school in the United States. Notable alumni include former presidents George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, as well as former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and former NASA chief scientist Ellen Stofan.

Ranked 44 in the nation, William & Mary is a selective school. Its acceptance rate is 42%, and its graduation rate is 92%. The university’s in-state tuition is $17,434 per year, plus fees; its out-of-state tuition is $40,089 per year, plus fees. Nearly 9,000 undergraduates and postgraduates are enrolled. The university has more than 30 undergraduate programs and more than 10 graduate and professional degree programs. It follows a semester-based academic calendar.

William & Mary’s 1,200-acre campus offers students world-class facilities and access to beautiful natural surroundings – including a lake and forest. The university boasts a very diverse student body. Home to successful athletes and advocates, artists and academics, the university promotes a culture in which students’ unique passions and abilities create a strong collective whole. Students can participate in over 450 clubs and organizations. Over 1,700 students are members of the university’s 29 sororities and fraternities, including the country’s first fraternity, Phi Beta Kappa. All freshmen are required to live on campus, and most upperclassmen choose to live on campus as well. Off campus, students can explore historic Williamsburg, which is located on the Virginia Peninsula. The city is home to a beautiful Historic area, and, with Jamestown and Yorktown, it completes the Historic Triangle. The area annually attracts more than four million tourists.