The University of Mary Washington is among the best in the country, according to Princeton Review’s The Best 386 Colleges guide. The 2021 edition of the rankings publication, released last month, lists UMW among the top 13 percent of the thousands of four-year colleges and universities throughout the nation.
One of the longest-running and most well-respected guides of its type, the publication has been used for nearly three decades by degree-seeking college applicants and their parents looking for the best undergraduate academic experiences available in the U.S. Results published in this year’s book are based on 143,000 student surveys gauging both on- and off-campus involvement.
The guide describes each school’s student body, and provides ratings in such categories as campus life, academics, admissions selectivity, financial aid and sustainability. UMW received high marks in all categories, including academics, with students reporting to find faculty members both interesting and accessible.
“Perhaps what [they] value most is the level of communication they have with their professors,” the publication states. “As one impressed undergrad explains, ‘UMW professors go the extra mile to help students and ensure that they succeed, and students never hesitate to take time out of their day to go see their professors during their office hours for extra help’ … It’s quite evident that ‘they love what they teach and want you to love it as well.’ ”
Off-campus, UMW students cited Fredericksburg as being “a great place to live,” with historic sites and plenty of eateries and entertainment opportunities. The guide touts the University’s unique location, “smackdab in the middle of Richmond and Washington, D.C.”
“My colleagues and I are truly pleased to feature University of Mary Washington in The Best 386 Colleges,” Princeton Review Editor-in-Chief Robert Franek wrote in an email announcing UMW’s inclusion in the guide. “Please know we appreciate the extraordinary challenges you and your colleagues faced this spring and summer due to the coronavirus pandemic – as well as those that lie ahead.”
The Princeton Review is a New York City-based education services company that annually publishes guidebooks that rank colleges, and business and law schools.
Visit the UMW National Rankings page for a list of current standings.
