The bestselling Fiske Guide to Colleges has again included the University of Mary Washington on its annual list of the “best and most interesting.”
UMW is one of 11 Virginia schools in the 2025 edition, and on the short list of inexpensive public colleges and universities based on current tuition and fees.
The selective guide pulls together just over 300 universities and colleges in the United States, with quotes directly from students and stories that show what makes each school unique.
An education at UMW starts with academic quality, which stretches through the curriculum. Local partnerships and internships stand out, from historic preservation rooted in Fredericksburg to international affairs and connections to the nation’s capital of Washington, D.C. Philanthropic support is noted as a boost to the undergraduate research program, scholarships and summer opportunities, including the Summer Science Institute.
The analysis continues through social aspects and quality-of-life ratings for each school.
The campus experience comes up in detail, both for its historic presence in Fredericksburg and for the “spate of renovations in the last few years, including a $24 million overhaul of Seacobeck Hall, a longtime dining facility that now houses the College of Education.” Athletics and campus recreation add to the overall quality of life with nationally ranked NCAA teams, club sports and a variety of intramurals.
Unique to the Fiske Guide is an “if you apply feature,” which summarizes vital information about each college’s admission process. At UMW, early decision or early action is the first opportunity, with filing dates of Nov. 1, 2024 or Nov. 15, 2024.
UMW is at 1301 College Ave., Fredericksburg.
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Rebecca Barnabi
