Understanding William & Mary Tuition, Room, and Board Costs

For prospective students considering William & Mary, understanding the costs associated with tuition, room, and board is crucial for financial planning. William & Mary combines several sources of revenue to provide students with an exceptional education. Exact costs will vary based on a student's status, housing and food selections, and course of study.

Tuition and Fees

All degree-seeking undergraduate students are charged the full-time tuition and fee rate for the fall and spring semesters unless they are approved by the Committee on Academic Status for an underload or are part of the Flexible Degree Track. Tuition for summer sessions is charged at a per-credit-hour rate, along with a one-time registration fee of $25.00 and a one-time comprehensive fee of $55.00. Students carrying an approved underload may receive a reduction in tuition but must pay the full mandatory general fees. Flexible Degree Track students are charged based on credit hour status (full-time or part-time).

Supplemental and Special Course Fees

William & Mary students enrolling in Fall 2025 or later and taking courses in the School of Computing, Data Sciences & Physics will be charged a supplemental fee of $250.00 per credit hour for specified courses. Similarly, students taking Mason School of Business courses will incur a supplemental fee of $250.00 per credit hour. William & Mary School of Education students will be charged a one-time LiveText fee of $150.00 to access the web-based assessment system.

Fees for special courses are determined by the demand and arrangements necessary to support such courses. Classes carrying fees have a notation in Banner Self-Service, "Additional Fees." The fee amount may be viewed in the Class Detail screen for each section.

Tuition Costs: In-State vs. Out-of-State

The 2024-2025 tuition at William & Mary for in-state students is around $18,700 before fees, while for out-of-state students, it's approximately $43,400 before fees. Tuition at William and Mary for an out-of-state student costs $46,625 without financial aid. The total cost of attendance, including room and board, books, transportation, and other costs, is approximately $41,400 for in-state students and $66,700 for out-of-state students.

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Potential Tuition Increases

Universities, including William & Mary, often raise tuition costs annually due to factors such as inflation, the need to increase or maintain faculty salaries, or the need for additional funding for facilities and resources. While predicting the exact increase is difficult, it's reasonable to expect a slight percentage increase each year. The W&M Board of Visitors votes to approve undergraduate tuition and fees in April for the upcoming academic year.

Credit Hour Surcharge

In-state students exceeding 125% of the minimum credit hours needed for a specific degree program will be assessed a surcharge, generally calculated at out-of-state tuition rates, for each semester of continued enrollment after exceeding the credit hour threshold. For example, for a bachelor’s degree requiring 120 credit hours, any credits taken beyond 150 (or 125% of 120) would be charged at the out-of-state rate.

Room and Board

Another significant cost for students at William & Mary is room and board charges. William & Mary Dining Services provides a comprehensive dining program featuring a variety of meal plan options to meet the needs of each student. The institution provides on-campus housing and requires first-time degree-seeking students to live on campus. The typical room charge for an academic year is 8288 USD, placing William & Mary in the top 35% of colleges for this expense. Additionally, the typical board charge for an academic year is 5246 USD, which ranks the institution in the top 50% for this cost. In total, room and board charges at William & Mary amount to 13534 USD per year, placing the institution in the top 35% for this combined expense.

Meal Plan Options and Requirements

William & Mary Dining Services offers students a total of seven meal plans to choose from. The Freedom Plan, an unlimited meal plan, and the Gold 19 plan provide a guaranteed number of meals per week. The Block 175, Block 125, Block 100, Commuter 50, and Commuter 25 provide a guaranteed number of meals per semester. All meal plans include Dining Dollars to provide flexibility and convenience. The amount of Dining Dollars varies according to the meal plan selected.

The university requires that all undergraduate students residing in campus-managed property purchase a meal plan. Meal plan eligibility is determined by social class and, in some cases, residence location. Freshmen and residential sophomores are required to purchase the Freedom, Gold 19, or Block 175 plan. Residential juniors are required to purchase the Freedom, Gold 19, Block 175, or Block 125, and residential seniors additionally may choose the Block 100. Students residing in Ludwell, Tribe Square, Cabell, and Nicholas can select from any available meal plan, including the Commuter 50 and Commuter 25. If a student does not select a meal plan by July 1, the Gold 19 will be automatically applied to the Student Account.

Read also: Funding Your Education at WPU

Meal plans selected in the Fall automatically roll over to the Spring semester. Students may select or change their meal plan by visiting mealplan.wm.edu until the end of the add/drop period (restrictions apply).

Residence Hall Fees and Housing Policies

Residence Hall fees vary depending on the specific building to which a student is assigned; the average cost per semester fee is $3,829.00. Freshman and sophomore students are required to live in on-campus housing, although students who want to live with their families within a 30-mile radius of campus may apply to Residence Life for an exception. After their sophomore year, students may choose to live off campus. Residence Hall fees will be prorated on a daily basis for students acquiring on-campus housing more than two weeks after the first day of occupancy for the residence halls.

Students have 24 hours from contract acceptance to cancel their housing contract with no penalty. Students who have signed the W&M Residence Life Housing Contract for the 2019-2020 academic year will owe and be charged full room rent. Any termination of the W&M Residence Life Housing Contract, subject to the terms and conditions in Sections 5 and 6 of the housing contract, may qualify the resident for a refund or adjustment of room rent owed as outlined in the housing contract. If Residence Life is unable to provide a fall semester room assignment by August 1, the student may request cancellation of the contract with no penalty. Beginning May 31, students seeking to be released from their on-campus housing contract must petition the Contract Release Committee. A release may be granted only to students who can demonstrate through the written petition and supporting documentation that their situation is extraordinary and cannot be resolved in campus housing.

Additional Expenses

Besides tuition, room, and board, students should also consider other costs such as books and supplies, personal expenses, and transportation.

Books and Supplies

One of the expenses to take into account is the cost of books and supplies, which amounts to 1080 USD per year. This figure places William & Mary in the bottom 45% of colleges and universities in terms of this particular expense. The William & Mary Bookstore, operated by Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, offers new, used, digital, and rental textbooks for all William & Mary courses and offers a competitive Price Match program. In addition to required textbooks, the bookstore has recommended school and dorm room supplies. The Department of Education published the Program Integrity and Improvement rules (pdf) to provide students the ability to opt out of course/class fees associated with books or supplies.

Personal and Transportation Expenses

Students should also budget for personal expenses such as clothing, travel, and incidental costs, which vary depending on individual habits. Transportation costs should also be factored in. Estimated annual costs include $1,900 for personal expenses and $760 for transportation.

Payment Information and Policies

Charges for tuition and fees, residence hall, meal plan, and miscellaneous fees are payable by the due date each semester. Registration is not final until all fees are paid and may be canceled if a student’s account is not paid in full by the due date, as established by the Office of the Bursar.

Payment Methods

Payments can be made in U.S. dollars only by cash; check, money order, or cashier’s check made payable to The College of William & Mary. Payments by cash or check are accepted at the Cashiers Office in Blow Hall. A check returned by the bank for any reason will constitute nonpayment and may result in late fees or collections. Payment online via credit card-American Express, Discover, VISA, and MasterCard-is also available in eServices. Credit cards are accepted for online payments only. A convenience fee is charged for payments made via credit card. Payment may also be made online via an electronic (web) check. There is no fee for paying online via electronic (web) check.

Late Payment and Debt Policies

Any past-due debt owed to the university (telecommunications, emergency loans, parking, health services, library fines, etc.) may result in late fees or collections, withholding of transcripts and diplomas, and non-conferral of degree.

Monthly Payment Plan

To assist with the payment of educational costs, the university offers the option of an Interest-Free Monthly Payment Plan for the fall and/or spring semesters of the academic year. Students who choose to participate in the university’s monthly payment plan will not be issued a monthly billing statement.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Through a combination of scholarships, grants, loans, work-study, and other sources, generous financial assistance is available. In the 2024-25 academic year, 77% of first-year in-state students and 60% of out-of-state students received some type of aid.

Financial Aid Statistics

CostsAverage Per Year After Aid$20,422Students Receiving Financial Aid35%Average Aid Package$29,030Financial Aid Application DueNot availableTuitionAverage Net Price$20,422 per yearYour net price is a college’s cost of attendance minus the grants and scholarships you receive. The net price you pay for a particular college is specific to you because it’s based on your personal circumstances and the college’s financial aid policies. Use the college’s Net Price calculator for the most accurate estimate of your net price.Average Net Price by Household IncomeSticker PriceIn-State Tuition$19,178 per yearOut-of-State Tuition$44,876 per yearOther CostsBooks and Supplies$1,080 per yearPersonal Expenses$1,900 per yearTransportation$760 per yearFinancial AidFinancial aid can include grants, loans, scholarships and work-study jobs. Financial aid packages vary depending on your financial need. Most colleges determine financial need based on your FAFSA.Distribution DetailsStudents Receiving Financial Aid35%Freshmen With Need and Received Financial Aid82%Aid Package DetailsAverage Aid Packages Awarded$29,030Need-Based Scholarship or Grant AwardScholarships and grants don’t need to be paid back.$22,474Need-Based Loan AmountLoans must be paid back.$3,198Debt at GraduationThe typical amount of loans a student must pay back.$31,766Tuition Guarantee PlansTuition at time of first enrollment guaranteed only to students making advance paymentFinancial Aid DatesApplication DueNot availableThe last day to apply for financial aid or turn in related paperwork.Priority Application DueMar 15Applications received prior to this date will be given the strongest consideration. Still apply for financial aid if you don’t make this due date.Notification DateMar 15When students receive a letter with the amount and types of aid the college is offering.Response DueNot availableThe deadline for students to respond to the college’s aid offer.Next StepsFinancial Aid Office Phone NumberNote: College profiles are based primarily on information supplied by the colleges themselves through participation in College Board's BigFuture College Profiles higher education data collection portal, with some data provided via federal and state agencies.

Types of Financial Aid

Financial aid can include grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study jobs. Financial aid packages vary depending on your financial need. Most colleges determine financial need based on your FAFSA. For the average student receiving need-based aid, William and Mary costs $46,938 per academic year for an out-of-state student after aid and scholarship funds. Among undergraduates, 34% received need-based scholarships or grant aid.

Work-Study Opportunities

William & Mary provides a diverse range of work-study, internship, and on-campus employment opportunities for its students. The university manages these opportunities through a platform known as TribeCareers, which is overseen by the Office of Career Development & Professional Engagement. This platform allows students to post job vacancies, scrutinize applications, and recruit student employees. The types of positions available span from marketing internships to roles in dining services.

The starting pay for on-campus jobs at William & Mary is quite competitive, with a rate of $15.50 per hour. The university also ensures that the work schedules are flexible, designed to accommodate the students' study time and lifestyle. This flexibility makes it easier for students to strike a balance between their work and academic commitments.

The Office of Financial Aid offers work-study positions to eligible international students, enabling them to earn money to help finance their education. These international students are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week during the academic year and up to 40 hours per week during breaks.

Financial Aid for International Students

International students will be charged a one-time New International Student Fee of $165.00 at the beginning of their degree program. They will also incur an $85.00 Service Fee for each enrolled semester, except for summer sessions.

Net Price and Income-Based Aid

The average net price for full-time beginning students at William & Mary varies depending on their income level. For students with an income between 0-30,000 USD, the average net price is 3,579 USD. For students with an income between 30,001-48,000 USD, the average net price is 5,717 USD. Students with an income between 48,001-75,000 USD have an average net price of 10,665 USD. For students with an income over 110,000 USD, the average net price is 34,686 USD. Students with an income between 75,001-110,000 USD have an average net price of 17,295 USD.

Refunds and Withdrawals

Full-time students who withdraw from the university are charged a percentage of the tuition and fees based on the school week within which the withdrawal occurs. A school week is defined as the period beginning on Monday and ending on the succeeding Sunday. The first school week of a semester is defined as that week within which classes begin.

Room and Meal Plan Adjustments

Refund of the room rent will be prorated based on the date the resident officially checks out of the room with required paperwork completed by a Residence Life staff member. The Freedom and Gold 19 adjustments will be prorated on the daily rate given the last day of usage. The Block meal plan adjustments will be based on actual meal and flex point usage.

Overpayments and Title IV Funds

Overpayments on the student account created by federal loans or grants will be automatically refunded following federal guidelines. Paper checks are issued to the most current address in Banner. For students paying through the tuition payment plan, all refunds will be determined by comparing the amount eligible for refunding to the total monthly payments made to date. It is university policy to hold the enrolled student liable for charges incurred; therefore, in the case of refunding any overpayment, refund checks will be issued in the name of the student.

The return of Title IV funds for students with Title IV Federal Aid (Federal PELL, Direct Federal Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, Federal SEOG, Federal Work Study, Federal Perkins, Direct Federal PLUS, and Grad PLUS) who withdraw from school will be calculated in compliance with Federal regulations. If a student withdraws from college prior to completing 60% of a semester, the Financial Aid Office must recalculate the student's eligibility for all funds received, including Title IV funds. Percent of aid earned = the number of days completed up to the withdrawal date, divided by the total days in the semester. For Title IV purposes, the withdrawal date will be the date of notification of intent to withdraw, which may be earlier than the withdrawal date for the purpose of tuition reimbursement. Keep in mind that when funds are returned, the student borrower may owe a balance to the university.

Flex Track Students

Flex Track students who withdraw from the university within the first school week of the semester are eligible for a full refund of tuition and fees. Students who drop their course(s) during the session drop/add period will not be assessed any tuition for the course(s).

In-State Tuition Eligibility

To be eligible for in-state tuition, a student must meet the statutory test for domicile as set forth in Section 23-7.4 of the Code of Virginia. Domicile is a technical legal concept. In general, to establish domicile, students must be able to prove permanent residency in Virginia for at least one continuous year immediately preceding the first official day of classes and intend to remain in Virginia indefinitely after graduation. Residence in Virginia for the primary purpose of attending college does not provide eligibility for in-state tuition.

Applicants seeking in-state status must complete and submit the “Application for Virginia In-State Tuition Privileges” by the first day of classes of the semester for which in-state eligibility is sought. A matriculating student whose domicile has changed may request reclassification from out-of-state to in-state. Students seeking reclassification must complete and submit the “Application for Virginia In-State Tuition Privileges” to the Office of the University Registrar. The Office of the University Registrar evaluates the application and notifies the student only if the request for in-state tuition is denied. Any student may submit in writing an appeal to the decision made; however, a change in classification will only be made when justified by clear and convincing evidence.

Additional Resources and Services

Tribe Card and Express Account

The William & Mary Tribe Card is the University’s official card prepared by Tribe Card Services for each student. It functions as a campus meal card, library card, and an entry or access card to residence halls, recreational facilities, academic buildings, and the Student Health Center. A $23 charge is assessed for lost, worn, or damaged cards.

The William & Mary Express Account is a debit account linked to the student’s Tribe Card. When deposits are made to the account, students can use their Tribe Cards to purchase a variety of goods and services both on and off campus.

Parking and Transportation

All motor vehicles operated or parked on university property, including motorcycles, motor scooters, mopeds, and vehicles with handicapped plates or hangtags, must be registered with the Parking Services Office. Only under special circumstances and with prior written approval are freshmen and sophomores allowed to have cars on campus. Students may also access the WATA bus lines by showing their William & Mary Tribe Card.

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