Is William and Mary affordable?

William & Mary (W&M) offers good affordability, especially for in-state Virginia residents, with strong financial aid for lower-income families and efforts to keep tuition low; however, the sticker price for out-of-state students is high, though aid is still available, making it generally affordable for many but potentially expensive for others without significant aid. W&M aims to meet 100% of demonstrated need for in-state students, covers tuition/fees for in-state Pell-eligible students, and provides grants and scholarships for many out-of-state students, but the total cost can still be substantial for non-residents.

Are William and Mary expensive?

William & Mary's tuition is $26,456 for in-state and $52,154 for out-of-state students. Compared with the national average cost of in-state tuition of $12,422, William & Mary is more expensive.

How much does it cost to go to William and Mary for 4 years?

The estimated cost for 4 years at William & Mary including tuition, room and board, and books and other fees is $172,144.

Are William and Mary generous with financial aid?

William & Mary offers a comprehensive financial aid program to help students fund their education. Approximately 41% of the total entering 2021-22 student class received need-based grants as part of their financial aid offer.

What is the #1 most expensive college in the US?

There isn't one single #1 most expensive college, as rankings vary, but Columbia University, University of Southern California (USC), and Pepperdine University often top lists for high annual costs, with figures exceeding $90,000-$96,000 for total attendance (tuition, room, board, fees) for the 2023-2025 periods, though schools like Harvey Mudd College and Amherst College also feature prominently with similar sticker prices. These high "sticker prices" don't always reflect what students pay, as many offer significant financial aid. 

PROS AND CONS OF WILLIAM AND MARY

What is the #1 hardest school to get into?

There isn't one single #1 hardest school, as it changes slightly by year and criteria, but Harvard University, Stanford University, MIT, and Caltech consistently rank among the top with extremely low acceptance rates (often 3-4%) and intense competition for spots, though other top global universities like Oxford and Tsinghua are also incredibly selective. Harvard is frequently cited as the hardest due to its high volume of applications and focus on global leadership potential, while Caltech is known for its extreme difficulty in STEM. 

What might a $300,000 college cost a $200,000 family?

A $200,000 income family might pay anywhere from $20,000 to over $40,000 annually for a $300,000 (total) college, depending heavily on the school's financial aid policies (needs-based vs. merit-based), the CSS Profile vs. FAFSA, and if the school uses home equity, but many selective schools offer substantial aid, reducing the cost significantly below sticker price. Expect aid to be around 10-25% of the total cost, with specific contributions varying by institution. 

Are William and Mary a little ivy?

No, William & Mary (W&M) is not technically an Ivy League school (which are private Northeastern athletic members), but it's widely considered a prestigious "Public Ivy," offering similar academic quality and value at a public university cost, and has recently been named a "New Ivy" by Forbes for its strong employer reputation and selectivity.
 

Will I get financial aid if my parents make over $400,000?

Yes, you can still get financial aid even if your parents earn over $400k, as there's no strict income cutoff for the FAFSA, but need-based grants will likely be reduced; you may qualify for federal loans, institutional aid, merit scholarships, or other resources, so always apply to see what you're eligible for based on your family's specific situation (size, assets, other factors). 

Which is more prestigious, UVA or William and Mary?

UVA (University of Virginia) generally holds a higher overall prestige due to its larger size, higher national rankings (often top 25 public), greater research funding, and broader graduate programs, while William & Mary (W&M) is highly prestigious for its strong undergraduate focus, consistently ranking as a top "Public Ivy," excelling in specific areas like liberal arts, and boasting exceptional alumni engagement, offering a more intimate setting. UVA is often seen as more "grand" and widely known, attracting more applicants, while W&M offers a deeply respected, undergraduate-centric experience with remarkable value and alumni outcomes.
 

Do parents who make $120000 still qualify for FAFSA?

Yes, parents making $120,000 can still qualify for some federal student aid through the FAFSA, as there's no strict income cut-off, but eligibility for need-based grants like the Pell Grant decreases with higher income, though they might still get federal loans or access to merit-based aid/work-study. Eligibility depends on the Student Aid Index (SAI), considering family size, assets, and the college's Cost of Attendance (COA), so always fill out the FAFSA to see what your specific situation qualifies for. 

Are William and Mary worth it?

Return on Investment. 92% of W&M graduates are employed or attending graduate/professional school within 6 months of graduation. 97% work in jobs that align well with their career interests (as reported by the Class of 2024).

What famous people went to W&M?

Entertainment

• Glenn Close '74, D.A. '89. Actress: 101 Dalmatians, Dangerous Liaisons. ...
• Jon Stewart '84, D.A. '04. Comedian and television host: Host of The Daily Show. ...
• Charles "Chip" Esten '87. Actor: Outer Banks, Nashville. ...
• Bill Lawrence '90. ...
• Patton Oswalt '91. ...
• Cord Jefferson '04. ...
• B.J. Minor '13.

What is the average family income at William and Mary?

College of William & Mary. The median family income of a student from William & Mary is $176,400, and 73% come from the top 20 percent. Less than 1% of students at William & Mary came from a poor family but became a rich adult.

Where do the 1% go to college?

The 1% of the wealthiest Americans disproportionately attend highly selective, elite universities, particularly Ivy League schools (Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Dartmouth, Brown, Penn, Columbia) and other top institutions like MIT, Stanford, Duke, and UChicago, where they make up a large percentage of the student body, often outnumbering students from the bottom 60% of income earners combined. Liberal arts colleges and prestigious public universities also attract many wealthy students, with specific examples including WashU St. Louis, UVA, UCLA, UC Berkeley, Vanderbilt, and Johns Hopkins.
 

Is Williams as good as Ivy League?

Although lesser known as a liberal arts college, Williams is one of the best non-Ivy colleges in the nation offering 60-70 courses in Oxford's and Cambridge's tutorial system style; consisting of a professor and two or three students, these tutorials allow undergraduates to learn in an intimate, personalized atmosphere ...

What income is too high for FAFSA?

There is no income cap for FAFSA. Even high-income students should apply to access federal loans and some merit aid. Aid eligibility is based on your Student Aid Index (SAI) and cost of attendance, not just income alone. For the 2025-26 FAFSA, dependent students can earn up to $11,510 before it affects aid eligibility.

What is the #1 most common FAFSA mistake?

The #1 most common FAFSA mistake is leaving fields blank, but other major errors include name/SSN mismatches (using nicknames or incorrect info), confusing "you" (student) with "parent," incorrect tax info, and missing parent signatures or FSA IDs, all leading to delays or aid denial. Forgetting to file at all, or filing too late, also costs students aid, as does incorrectly reporting marital/parental info.
 

Can kids with rich parents get student loans?

Do Parents' Assets Affect Financial Aid? Both parent and student-owned assets can have an impact on financial aid eligibility. However, generally-speaking, parent assets have a more limited impact because parents are expected to contribute a smaller proportion of their wealth to pay for their child's college education.

What kind of kid goes to William and Mary?

Students at William & Mary (W&M) are typically curious, hardworking, academically passionate, and collaborative, described as "TWAMPS" (Typical W&M Students) who are smart but not cutthroat, often enjoying hands-on research, diverse interests from STEM to arts, and a warm, inclusive social scene with many clubs and a strong sense of community. They value intellectual challenge, real-world impact, and finding their niche within a welcoming environment.
 

What are the three Little Ivies?

The "Little Three" are Amherst College, Williams College, and Wesleyan University, an elite group of New England liberal arts colleges known for fierce rivalries, akin to the Ivy League's "Big Three" (Harvard, Yale, Princeton). They are often part of the broader "Little Ivies" group, which also includes schools like Bowdoin, Bates, Colby, Middlebury, and Swarthmore, all recognized for top academics and selectivity.
 

Are William and Mary elite?

Yes, William & Mary (W&M)} is widely considered a prestigious university, often called a "New Ivy" and a "Public Ivy" for its high academic standards, selective admissions, strong outcomes, and historic reputation, consistently ranking among the top public universities nationally for teaching, research, and study abroad. While it might not have the global name recognition of Harvard or Yale, it holds significant prestige, particularly in the U.S., known for attracting top students and delivering excellent career results.
 

What college is $90,000 a year?

Several private colleges, including Tufts, Wellesley, Yale, Boston University, USC, Harvard, and Brown, have total annual costs (tuition, room, board, fees) exceeding $90,000 for the 2024-2025 school year, with Tufts reaching nearly $96,000, though generous financial aid often significantly reduces the net price for students. Other expensive options around that figure include Harvey Mudd College, University of Chicago, and The New School. 

Is $70,000 too much for FAFSA?

No, $70k isn't inherently "too much" for the FAFSA; there's no strict cutoff, and you should always file, as factors like family size, number of kids in college, and the college's cost heavily influence aid, meaning even higher incomes might get grants or loans, but aid decreases as income rises. Even with $70k income, you could qualify for federal grants, state aid, and loans, especially at more expensive schools, so using the FAFSA Estimator on the Federal Student Aid website (studentaid.gov) or Saving For College's calculator https://studentaid.gov/aid-estimator/ is a great way to see what you might get. 

What salary is considered rich for a family?

In terms of location, Californians believe you need more money to live a wealthy lifestyle ($3-4 million instead of the nationwide average of $2.5 million) while residents of Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Phoenix, and Dallas have a lower threshold of what it takes to be considered wealthy, below the national average.