As a preeminent, public research university, William & Mary leads with values that endure. At its best, the Alma Mater of the Nation is where integrity is forged, knowledge is a catalyst for solutions and truth is pursued with rigor. Graduates enter the workforce prepared, driven by purpose and community.

This past year, the university saw that purpose in action. Historic philanthropy launched the Batten School of Coastal & Marine Sciences, alongside record-breaking scholarship support. The School of Computing, Data Sciences & Physics opened — the first new W&M school in half a century. The university achieved Carnegie’s highest research designation, placing it among the top research universities in America. National attention on the Bray School project deepened understanding of the earliest education of enslaved and free Black children. The Better Arguments model strengthened civil discourse on campus. And the W&M Women’s Basketball team united the community with its first NCAA tournament win.

National recognition reflects this momentum. 

Earlier this year, Forbes named W&M among “The New Ivies,” and Niche awarded the university an overall grade of A+. The Princeton Review praised W&M’s value, library and internship opportunities. MovieMaker magazine counted the university among the top film schools.

“Rankings will be disrupted for some time,” said W&M President Katherine A. Rowe, who charged a task force last year to examine rankings. 

“William & Mary’s values keep us focused on what matters now and what will endure: academic excellence, student outcomes and serving the greater good.”

The university saw positive movement in the U.S. News & World Report (USNWR) college rankings, released today. William & Mary ranked second among public universities for best undergraduate teaching. The undergraduate computer science program leapt 10 spots this year – and 28 spots over the past two years – to 54th overall. William & Mary rose three spots among national universities to an overall ranking of 51st and two spots on the list of public universities to 21st. 

A major factor was William & Mary’s improved peer assessment score, a direct reflection of national reputation. The university also improved its social mobility score, due to efforts on affordability and access. This fall’s new undergraduate students — both first-year and transfer — are expected to include a record number of Pell Grant recipients. Earlier this year, The Chronicle of Higher Education listed W&M sixth among public universities for having the best graduation rates for Pell Grant students.

Strategic moves

“While rankings may include measures that increasingly celebrate short-term criteria, William & Mary remains focused on charting its own course with purpose, guided by its values and the long game,” said Provost Peggy Agouris. “Through investments in academic innovation, research, affordability and career readiness, we’re aligning what we value with what we measure — and rising with distinction.”

The university continues to make progress on Vision 2026 strategic plan cornerstone initiatives. Recent successes include:

• Careers: The university’s “Applied Learning for All” initiative promotes undergraduate internships, research, study abroad and civic and community engagement. Over the summer, nearly 100 students participated in a pilot program. Overall, nearly nine in 10 students at W&M take part in hands-on research. Graduates launch careers aligned with their goals, supported by a global alumni network.
• Democracy: In August, the university hosted its second annual Professional Development Days, where nearly 1,300 faculty and staff members learned how to manage conflict. The event built on last year’s program, which explored how to engage substantively and respectfully through the Aspen Institute’s Better Arguments framework. That framework is also taught to all students and leadership.
• Water: W&M’s Batten School of Coastal & Marine Sciences & VIMS welcomed their inaugural class of undergraduate majors this fall. The unique coastal and marine sciences program combines classroom rigor with immersive research opportunities. It is backed by full tuition support thanks to a $50 million donation from Dr. R. Todd Stravitz ’82 and the Brunckhorst Foundations.
• Data: The new School of Computing, Data Sciences & Physics brings together four of the university’s units — applied science, computer science, data science and physics — and expands W&M’s ability to prepare students to thrive in a data-rich world. This fall, the school launched a new minor in AI.

All of these successes demonstrate momentum with William & Mary’s mission as “a preeminent, public research university,” creating a cycle that amplifies talent and resources. Preeminence allows the university to have an even greater impact on the world, building on its distinctive strengths formed over more than three centuries. 

The university’s working definition states, “For William & Mary, preeminence means our distinctive public liberal arts and sciences model reliably delivers elite results on a focused set of national metrics — student demand, research, academic excellence, and outcomes — creating a virtuous cycle that amplifies talent, resources and impact.”