At $21,108/yr net price, University of Mary Washington graduates earn $60,613/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $26,613/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $21,108 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $84,432 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $60,613/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$26,613/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 67.4% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $20,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $11,137/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $12,388/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $19,886/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $26,300/yr |
| $110,001+ | $29,234/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $78,896 | $30,151 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $69,002 | $19,783 |
| Education, General. | Master | $50,194 | $20,500 |
| Mathematics. | Bachelor | $49,625 | $22,875 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master | $47,406 | $20,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $45,584 | $22,000 |
| Economics. | Bachelor | $42,682 | |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor | $37,568 | $23,000 |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services. | Bachelor | $35,060 | $21,021 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Bachelor | $34,704 | $21,221 |
The Risk Factor
67.4% of students at University of Mary Washington graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 33% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
University of Mary Washington gives you a solid, mid-range financial return with low debt. You leave with about $20,500 in median debt against $60,613 in median earnings a decade out, and that debt-to-earnings ratio is what makes UMW work. You are borrowing less than a third of your first-decade annual pay, which is a comfortable position for a public liberal arts school.
Your major matters a lot here. Computer and Information Sciences is the clear winner, pulling nearly $70,000 while carrying the lowest program debt on the list at under $20,000. Everything else drops off fast. Math grads land around $49,600, business around $45,600, and economics under $43,000. Political Science sits at the bottom near $37,600 while carrying the highest debt of any listed program, over $23,000. That combination makes Political Science the weakest financial bet at UMW, so go in knowing the paycheck may not match the loan.
The specific risk is the spread between programs. A CIS degree and a Political Science degree here can differ by more than $31,000 a year in early earnings, with the lower-paying one costing you more to finance. UMW's Fredericksburg location puts you within reach of the DC-metro tech and government job market, which favors the computing and quantitative majors over the humanities-leaning ones.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $11,100 a year, less than half the $29,200 charged to families over $110,000. The middle tier is where it tightens: at $48,000 to $75,000 income, your price jumps to nearly $20,000. UMW is a good fit if you can land a quantitative or business major or qualify for the lower-income pricing. If you want a lower-earning humanities path at full sticker price, look harder at the numbers first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Mary Washington worth the cost compared to other Virginia schools?
UMW's net price of $21,108 annually is reasonable for Virginia, but graduates earn $60,613 after 10 years, which is below the national average. The 67% graduation rate means one in three students don't finish, making the investment risky for many.
What University of Mary Washington majors have the best return on investment?
Business and computer science majors see the strongest returns, earning $78,896 and $69,002 respectively after graduation. Education majors earn significantly less at around $50,000, which may not justify the debt load given Virginia teacher salaries.
How much debt do University of Mary Washington graduates typically have?
The median debt is $20,500, which is manageable compared to many schools. However, this only reflects students who graduate - the 33% who don't complete their degree often carry debt without the degree benefits.
Does University of Mary Washington provide good financial aid?
With an 86% acceptance rate and net price of $21,108, UMW offers decent access but limited merit aid opportunities. Most students pay close to full price, so families should plan for the full four-year cost upfront.