Mary Baldwin University: A Comprehensive Overview of History, Academics, and Rankings
Mary Baldwin University, founded in 1842, stands as a non-profit private higher education institution nestled in the urban setting of Staunton, Virginia. Officially accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, MBU is a coeducational US higher education institution officially affiliated with the Christian-Presbyterian religion. This small-sized university offers a range of programs leading to recognized degrees, including bachelor's, master's, and doctorate degrees across various fields.
Academic Reputation and Rankings
Mary Baldwin University's ranking is based on research output, non-academic reputation, and the impact of notable alumni. EduRank places Mary Baldwin University at 1236th in the United States and 4744th in the world for the 2025 ranking, highlighting its performance across 30 research topics. Within Virginia, it holds the 34th position out of 63 universities.
- World Rank: #4744 of 14,131
- North America Rank: #1312 of 2,597
- United States Rank: #1236 of 2,496
- Virginia Rank: #34 of 63
Key Ranking Factors
The university's ranking is influenced by several factors:
- Research Output: Mary Baldwin University has 434 academic publications and 5,434 citations attributed to it.
- Non-Academic Reputation: The university's standing in the broader community.
- Alumni Impact: The accomplishments and influence of its 10 notable alumni.
Academic Strengths and Programs
Mary Baldwin University offers a diverse array of academic programs, with notable strengths in several areas.
Liberal Arts & Social Sciences
Mary Baldwin University ranked 1170th for Liberal Arts & Social Sciences in the United States and 5316th in the World with 317 publications made and 4,255 citations received. Main research topics: Political Science, Sociology, Law, Philosophy, History.
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Medicine
Mary Baldwin University ranked 1231st for Medicine in the United States and 5524th in the World with 178 publications made and 3,050 citations received. Main research topics: Psychiatry, Pathology.
Psychology
Mary Baldwin University ranked 1051st for Psychology in the United States and 4559th in the World with 166 publications made and 3,739 citations received. Main research topics: Social Psychology, Psychiatry, Child Psychology.
Biology
Mary Baldwin University ranked 1321st for Biology in the United States and 6044th in the World with 153 publications made and 2,403 citations received. Main research topic: Paleontology.
Environmental Science
Mary Baldwin University ranked 1287th for Environmental Science in the United States and 6035th in the World with 145 publications made and 2,041 citations received. Main research topics: Geography and Cartography, Geology, Ecology, Paleontology.
Physics
Mary Baldwin University ranked 1279th for Physics in the United States and 6043rd in the World with 114 publications made and 1,636 citations received. Main research topic: Quantum and Particle physics.
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Mathematics
Mary Baldwin University ranked 1236th for Mathematics in the United States and 5819th in the World with 81 publications made and 971 citations received. Main research topic: Statistics.
Other Academic Areas
Additional areas of study include:
- Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
- Health Professions and Related Programs
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
- Social Sciences
- Visual and Performing Arts
- Education
A Closer Look at Specific Departments
History Department
The history major at Mary Baldwin University provides students with essential information about the program, including the number of graduates each year and the ethnic diversity of the student body. In the 2021-2022 academic year, Mary Baldwin University awarded 11 bachelor's degrees in history. The department is not ranked on College Factual’s Best Colleges and Universities for History, potentially due to limited data. For the most recent academic year available, 36% of history bachelor's degrees went to men and 64% went to women. The majority of bachelor's degree recipients in this major at Mary Baldwin are white.
Psychology and Sociology
Students suggest that the best education at Mary Baldwin is in psychology or sociology.
Mathematics
Math, on the other hand, is considered "terrible" by some students.
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Tuition, Costs, and Financial Aid
Understanding the financial aspects of attending Mary Baldwin University is crucial for prospective students and their families.
Tuition Costs
In 2023, the median undergraduate tuition at Mary Baldwin University was $32,732, which is $8,157 more than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($24,575). The cost of tuition at Mary Baldwin University is $8,157 more than than the overall (public and private) national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($24,575).
Average Net Price
After factoring in grants and loans, the average net price for students in 2023 was $18,838. Between 2022 and 2023, the average net price of Mary Baldwin University grew by 0.491%.
Other Student Expenses
- Room and Board: The average yearly cost of room and board at Mary Baldwin University was $10,785 in 2023, a 2.81% increase from 2022.
- Books and Supplies: The average yearly cost of books and supplies was $900.
Financial Aid
In 2023, 85% of undergraduate students received financial aid through grants, while 66% received financial aid through loans. This represents a decline of 7.61% with respect to 2022, when 92% of undergraduate students received financial aid.
Student Loan Default Rate
In 2022, the default rate for borrowers at Mary Baldwin University was 0%, meaning 0 out of the 628 total borrowers defaulted.
Admissions and Enrollment
Mary Baldwin University's admissions process and enrollment statistics provide insights into the university's selectivity and student demographics.
Acceptance Rate
In 2020, Mary Baldwin University received 7,188 undergraduate applications, representing a 4.92% annual growth. The university accepted 6,261 students, resulting in an acceptance rate of 87.1%. This is higher than the acceptance rate of 2019, which was 84.4%. Between 2019 and 2020, the number of applicants declined by 4.92%, while admissions declined by 1.87%.
SAT Scores
In 2020, 63% of enrolled first-time students submitted SAT scores with their applications.
Enrollment
In 2023, Mary Baldwin University had a total enrollment of 1,792 students. Full-time enrollment was 1,392 students, while part-time enrollment was 400, indicating that 77.7% of students are enrolled full-time.
Student Demographics
The enrolled student population at Mary Baldwin University is:
- 56.5% White
- 21.1% Black or African American
- 6.75% Hispanic or Latino
- 4.69% Two or More Races
- 2.79% Asian
- 0.614% American Indian or Alaska Native
- 0.0558% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders
Full-time undergraduate programs predominantly consist of White Female (36.6%), followed by Black or African American Female (19.6%) and White Male (11.4%) students. Full-time graduate programs are most commonly White Female (56.6%), followed by White Male (16.9%) and Black or African American Female (5.85%).
Graduation and Outcomes
Mary Baldwin University's graduation rates and outcomes provide insight into student success and post-graduation pathways.
Degrees Awarded
In 2023, Mary Baldwin University awarded 603 degrees across all undergraduate and graduate programs. A significant majority, 83.4%, of these degrees were awarded to women, while 16.6% were awarded to men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (396 degrees), which is 4.45 times more than the next closest group, black or african american (89 degrees).
Specialized Majors
In 2023, the most specialized majors at Mary Baldwin University were Visual & Performing Arts (67 degrees awarded), Psychology (79 degrees), and Public Administration and Social Service (33 degrees).
Common Jobs and Industries
Graduates with degrees from Mary Baldwin University often find employment in various fields. The most common jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Mary Baldwin University are Lawyers, & judges, magistrates, & other judicial workers (483,382 people), Other managers (454,634 people), Elementary & middle school teachers (345,032 people), Social workers, all other (300,405 people), and Postsecondary teachers (240,817 people). The most common industries for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Mary Baldwin University are Elementary & secondary schools (985,421 people), uninformed (931,451 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (594,445 people), General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (403,548 people), and Legal services (396,191 people).
Time to Complete
In 2023, 39% of students graduating from Mary Baldwin University completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 48% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 49% within 200%.
Graduation Rate by Race and Sex
The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2023 at Mary Baldwin University is Male and White (100% graduation rate).
Campus Life and Environment
Campus Setting
Mary Baldwin is located in Staunton, Virginia, "the quintessential friendly Southern neighborly town." "Downtown is cozy and there is definitely a sense of belonging for Mary Baldwin [students] within the community." "There are two theaters within walking distance, so many people go there." But mostly, just "walking around downtown and spending time at the park, Gypsy Hill" is a "popular" way to pass time. "Traveling to Harrisonburg and Charlottesville to the big malls is popular as well."
Student Life
"Life at Mary Baldwin is rather calm and relaxed," one student says. "If you want a huge party scene, Baldwin is probably not what you’re looking for. However, with five colleges and universities within 45 minutes, it’s certainly not hard to find a big school atmosphere." Students do wish that the school would keep the dining hall open a little later.
Transportation
MBU is accessible by transportation services from airports in Weyers Cave (Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport, 15 miles away); Charlottesville (Charlottesville Albemarle Airport, 45 miles away); and Roanoke (Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport, 85 miles away).
Campus Features
Mary Baldwin University is a small and "beautiful" liberal arts school with "rolling hills and Greek revival buildings" in the Shenandoah Valley.
Library Resources
Mary Baldwin University's library does not have any external branch. The library collection is comprised of both physical (i.e. books, medium, etc.) and digital/electronic items. In 2021 the library reported 93,925 physical volumes, 3,470 physical media, 100,371 digital/electronic media and 147 licensed digital/electronic databases. The library is managed by a total number of 6 full-time employees, including 3 librarians. Mary Baldwin University's library has a total library expenditure greater than $100,000 per year.
Housing
Mary Baldwin University provides on-campus housing and the total dormitory capacity, whether on or off campus, was about 790 students in the 2021 academic year.
Additional Programs and Initiatives
Program for the Exceptionally Gifted (PEG)
The PEG allows students to skip as many as four years of high school and enroll directly in college. While some traditional students find the program innovative, many of them "question the validity of taking girls out of high school to place them in the harsh world of college academics."
Women's Leadership
As a former all-women’s college, "Mary Baldwin is all about women’s empowerment and leadership."
Faculty and Class Size
The student-faculty ratio at Mary Baldwin University is 15:1, and the school has 66.9% of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The students of Mary Baldwin can count on "individual attention" from professors and administrators alike. "It is not uncommon to be given your professor's home or cell phone numbers, and they really do want you to call if you need to." But professors are not pushovers.
Endowment and Financial Operations
Mary Baldwin University has an endowment valued at nearly $36.6M, as of the end of the 2023 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of 2.6M (7.1%) compared to the 5.72% average return (2.84M on 49.7M) across all Masters Colleges and Universities. In 2023, Mary Baldwin University had a total salary expenditure of 48.3M. Mary Baldwin University employs 37 Assistant professors, 27 Associate professors and 19 Professors.
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