The University of Mary Washington has been ranked among the nation’s top 25 public colleges with the best record of graduating students on time by Money Magazine.
Graduating 66 percent of its student population in four years, UMW ranked 18th on the magazine’s list. UMW was the third of four Virginia institutions included in the list. The University of Virginia, College of William and Mary and James Madison University also were ranked.
According to Money Magazine, the average public college student takes 4.6 years to earn a degree. Just one third of public college students actually earn their bachelor’s degree in four years, cited by the U.S. Department of Education.
The result is an estimated extra $12,000 for the average public college student’s additional semester, based on College Board data.
Earlier this year, UMW was ranked in Money Magazine’s first Best Colleges Rankings. UMW was listed seventh among Virginia public schools and 107th overall among more than 1,500 four-year colleges and universities. Money looks at educational quality, affordability and career outcomes to create its list.
To see the full list of public colleges where students graduate the fastest, visit http://time.com/money/3748117/public-colleges-fastest-graduation-rates/?xid=yahoo_money.
In addition, the financial data and technology company SmartAsset named UMW to its list of colleges providing the best value in Virginia. Rankings were based on average scholarships and grants, starting salary of alumni upon graduation, tuition, living costs and retention rate.
I graduated from Stafford High School, Falmouth, VA, on June 13 [yes, that was a Friday!!!], 1958 and began MWC on Monday morning at 7:00 in Dr. Benton’s Health Class. From there I went to English 101 and American History I ended the “day” with Swimming 101–passing a swimming test in those days was REQUIRED of all those planning to graduate. Dr. Mildred Droste frequently commented, “I held the cap and gown for many a girl as she did laps in the pool.” I continued in the Fall, the summer of 1959, Fall again, summer of 1960, the Fall of ’60 and graduated in May of 1961,
I worked my way through Mary Washington and did it in three years. I did not have time to “party”–the downfall of so many colleges and universities these days. If we could refocus on getting an education and dedicate ourselves to that goal, the percentage of four-year graduates would rise considerably.