William & Mary has been a transformational leader in higher education for more than 300 years, innovating with excellence in teaching, research and career preparation. 

That excellence is evident in the enduring success of its 110,000 alumni, who thrive in a wide range of fields and make a lasting impact as global citizens.

Their success begins with the liberal arts and sciences education they receive at W&M. 

“William & Mary cultivates lifelong learners who excel in a rapidly evolving world, from their first job to their last,” said W&M President Katherine A. Rowe. “Through internships, research, study abroad and hands-on learning, William & Mary ensures students are career-ready and connects them to a powerful global alumni network. The university is a career partner for life.” 

The benefits of that partnership are clear:

• W&M undergraduate alumni in Virginia earn the highest median income 15 years post-graduation of all public universities in the state, according to the State Council of Higher Education in Virginia.
• A survey of the Class of 2022 revealed that 97% of its members work in jobs that align with their career interests. Additionally, a recent report shows that W&M is one of the top producers of Peace Corps volunteers of all time.
• W&M’s 91% graduation rate is the seventh highest nationally among public universities. The national average for four-year institutions is 60%.
• 92% of W&M graduates are employed or pursuing further education within six months of graduation. 
• According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, W&M undergraduate alumni earn nearly 20% more than the national median starting salary. 
• According to Washington Monthly, W&M has the highest percentage of undergraduate alumni who go on to earn Ph.D.s of any public university.

The university receives impressive recognition throughout the year in these strategic areas and more, including in the most recent round of rankings that often alter methodologies and increasingly focus on short-term, transitional metrics.

As the data and facts reveal, W&M takes the long view. W&M alumni succeed, and they do so with integrity and character while meeting the most pressing needs of our time.

“We are a world-class university built on innovation and excellence,” said Provost Peggy Agouris. “While rankings and their methodologies change, our commitment to our values never does. That commitment fuels our successes.”

Strategic wins

The university is built around core values and is steadfastly committed to its strategic goals. Those efforts continue to be reflected in metrics that matter most to the university. 

For instance, the university committed in recent years to increasing affordability and access. Two years ago, W&M set a goal to increase the percentage of in-state undergraduates who are Pell Grant-eligible to 20% in four years. This fall, 20% of in-state undergraduates in the Class of 2028 are Pell Grant recipients, an increase of  28% from last year.

The university has also been making progress on its Vision 2026 strategic initiatives around Careers, Data, Water and Democracy.

• W&M guarantees the opportunity for a funded internship or applied learning experience for all its undergraduate students – preparing them for lifelong career success. W&M saw an 86% increase in the number of students who received funding for unpaid and underfunded internship offerings between 2023 and 2024.
  
• In July, SCHEV approved the School of Computing, Data Sciences & Physics, the first new school at W&M in over 50 years. Students will be able to enter the school starting in fall 2025.

• Also in July, a transformational $100 million gift from philanthropist Jane Batten HON ’17, L.H.D. ’19 was announced, making W&M the premier destination for coastal and marine sciences in the country. The university has also proposed the first undergraduate coastal & marine sciences program in Virginia. 

• In August, more than 70% of employees gathered for the first-ever, all-employee event devoted to the vital skills of democratic engagement. The university was featured in The Wall Street Journal as a national leader for its work training faculty, staff and students on these principles.

Recent rankings

William & Mary focuses on the long-term success of its students as professionals and global citizens, and some recent rankings align with those values:

• U.S. News & World Report ranked W&M sixth among public universities for undergraduate teaching.
• The Princeton Review ranked W&M eighth among public schools for internships.
• The Wall Street Journal ranked W&M among the top 20 public institutions for finance, tech and management consulting salaries.
• Bloomberg ranked W&M’s Raymond A. Mason School of Business as number one for learning among all business schools.
• Forbes ranked W&M the 17th best public university.
• Niche gave W&M an overall grade of A and an A+ for academics. 

Other recent rankings that have highlighted various aspects of W&M include:

U.S. News & World Report

• W&M is ranked 54th overall and 23rd among public institutions.

• Additionally, the university rose 18 spots in the ranking of undergraduate computer science programs, landing at 64th.

The Princeton Review

• W&M was included on several top 20 lists including best student newspaper (third), best college library (fifth), most active student government (13th), best science lab facilities (14th), most politically active students (20th) and most LGBTQ-friendly universities (24th).

Wall Street Journal

• In addition to the spring rankings on high-paying jobs mentioned above, W&M rose 34 spots overall in the WSJ’s fall rankings.

Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression

• The organization recently ranked W&M 12th for free speech and gave the university a green light rating.

Foreign Policy

• Based on a survey of faculty nationwide, W&M’s undergraduate program in international relations ranked 16th. Policymakers ranked W&M 14th, and think tank staff members ranked W&M 15th.

Shifting importance

While many compare rankings from one year to the next, the methodologies change frequently and sometimes dramatically. 

In addition, several of the rankings systems reward schools for offering degrees with an immediate return on investment instead of looking longer-term at alumni success and societal impact. These changes have led to increased scrutiny in recent years.

The rapid rise in the number of rankings has led to a shift in how they are used in the college search. Prospective students are instead prioritizing the wealth of supporting information that helps them make informed decisions. According to studentPoll, they use rankings to find relevant information about a school three times more often than simply looking for a specific numeric rank. And one-third of students start their search using artificial intelligence to compile a list of schools that fit them best, rather than rankings.

With more than a dozen major ranking systems and none controlling more than 20% of the market, rankings are becoming increasingly fragmented.

In response, William & Mary has published its own Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), tracking success against metrics that matter to its community. The KPIs are reviewed annually by the Board of Visitors Committees on Academic Affairs, Administration Building & Grounds, Financial Affairs, Institutional Advancement and Student Experience to drive strategy throughout the university. W&M is also focusing on national reputation at the leadership and board level. The president has charged a Tiger Team, led by her Chief of Staff Carlane Pittman-Hampton, to assess national drivers for rankings change and chart a long-term strategy for reputational gains. 

“We are the Alma Mater of the Nation, a leading university with an enduring track record of preeminence,” Rowe said. “We remain committed to the long view and ensuring William & Mary’s place in history for the next 331 years.”