William & Mary: A Deep Dive into Student Demographics
William & Mary (W&M), a public research university in Williamsburg, Virginia, stands as the second-oldest institution of higher education in the United States, after Harvard University. Founded in 1693 under a royal charter granted by King William III and Queen Mary II, the university has a rich history intertwined with the development of the nation. With its commitment to inclusion, W&M recognizes that diversity fuels excellence in education, research, and discovery. The university delivers real-world, hands-on learning experiences driven by its distinctive ideals of principled achievement, entrepreneurship, and innovation.
A Historical Overview
The establishment of a school of higher education in Virginia was among the earliest goals of colonial leaders. Although initial plans for a college dated back to 1618, they were thwarted by a series of unfortunate events, including the Indian massacre of 1622 and Bacon's Rebellion. Construction on the College Building, now known as the Sir Christopher Wren Building, began in 1695 in Middle Plantation, which later became Williamsburg. The Wren Building stands as the oldest college building in America.
Throughout its history, William & Mary has been at the forefront of academic innovation. In 1779, under the guidance of James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, and other reformers, the university underwent a significant transformation, abolishing the Divinity School, modernizing the curriculum, and establishing the first American law school. It was also among the first American institutions to offer graduate instruction and the first to adopt an honor code in 1736.
Campus and Facilities
The university's main campus spans 1,200 acres and includes restored colonial structures, research centers, and modern academic facilities. The Sir Christopher Wren Building is the oldest college building in the United States and a National Historic Landmark. The campus is divided into "Ancient Campus," "Old Campus," and "New Campus," each with its unique architectural style. Since 1993, the college has been committed to constructing and renovating buildings in the traditional architectural style of "Old Campus" while incorporating energy-efficient technologies.
Governance and Leadership
The College of William & Mary is governed by the Board of Visitors, a corporation established by the General Assembly of Virginia. The Board delegates operating responsibility and accountability for the college's administrative, fiscal, and academic performance to a president. Katherine A. Rowe is the current president of the college. Faculty members are organized into separate faculties for Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, Law, and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, each presided over by a dean.
Read also: William and Mary Law
Student Life and Opportunities
Student life at William & Mary is varied and engaging, with over 475 student clubs and organizations, more than 40 club sports, and over 450 intramural teams. The university also offers 50+ fitness classes and wellness programs each week. Approximately half of the undergraduates receive credit for global experiences, with W&M ranked #1 in study abroad participation among public universities. Furthermore, almost 85% of undergraduate students are involved in faculty-mentored research, with 20% having their work published before they graduate.
Student Population Overview
William & Mary educates a diverse community of 10,856 students, with 7,359 pursuing undergraduate degrees and 3,497 engaged in advanced graduate studies. The university has a student-faculty ratio of 13:1. The academic level distribution is 68% undergraduate and 32% graduate. The university has a predominantly full-time student body with 78% of students being full-time and 22% being part-time.
Age Distribution
For undergraduates at William & Mary, the majority of students fall in the 20-21 age range with 3,267 students. There are also 49 students in the Under 18 range, 3,157 students in the 18-19 range, 412 students in the 22-24 range, and 78 students in the 25+ range.
Geographic Diversity
William & Mary ranks 461 out of 2,183 when it comes to geographic diversity. Approximately 33.15% of William & Mary students come from out of state, and 5.91% come from out of the country. The undergraduate student body is split among 37 states.
Costs and Financial Aid
In 2023, the median undergraduate tuition at William & Mary is $18,253, which is $12,751 less than the national average for Doctoral Universities. After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $20,422. In 2023, 50% of undergraduate students attending William & Mary received financial aid through grants, while 23% received financial aid through loans. In 2021, the default rate for borrowers at William & Mary was 0%, corresponding to 0 out of the 1,084 total borrowers.
Read also: Funding Your Education at WPU
Admissions and Enrollment
William & Mary received 17,548 undergraduate applications in 2023, with an acceptance rate of 32.7%. The university has an overall enrollment yield of 28.2%. The full-time enrollment at William & Mary is 8,488 students and the part-time enrollment is 1,274. As of 2023, the enrolled student population at William & Mary is 60.7% White, 9.8% Asian, 8.39% Hispanic or Latino, 7% Black or African American, 6.02% Two or More Races, 0.0922% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0512% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.
Graduation and Retention
The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at William & Mary was 95% in 2023. In the same year, 86% of students graduating from William & Mary completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Race and Ethnicity of Graduates
In 2023, 509 more women than men received degrees from William & Mary. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at William & Mary is white (1,991 degrees awarded). There were 6.89 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (289 degrees).
Operations and Endowment
William & Mary has an endowment valued at about $1.36B, as of the end of the 2023 fiscal year. In 2023, William & Mary had a total salary expenditure of 548M.
Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
At William & Mary, the commitment to inclusion has deep roots. The university recognizes that diverse communities spark innovation, but only when everyone can participate. This commitment is reflected in the various initiatives and programs aimed at fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students.
Read also: Your Guide to W&M Exchange Programs
Preparing for the Future
William & Mary prepares students to address global challenges in estuarine, coastal, and marine systems through societally relevant lab and fieldwork. The new school expands the university's ability to prepare students to thrive in a data-rich world and empowers transformative educational leaders for a rapidly changing world and academic landscape. The university also educates highly skilled advocates, ready to serve their clients and their communities with thoughtful engagement and unwavering integrity.
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