The University of Mary Washington ranks among the top 10 public liberal arts colleges, according to the 2025 “Best Colleges” list released today by U.S. News & World Report. UMW ties for No. 9 in the prestigious list and ties for No. 132 in national liberal arts, for both public and private universities.
In just two years since joining the Carnegie Classification category of undergraduate arts and sciences, following a long period of being listed among public regional universities, UMW ranks among the top 10 in the category. The nation’s military academies and public honors colleges perennially top the list, along with state designated liberal arts colleges in the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC). The new ranking puts UMW uniquely among the top colleges in the nation that are dedicated to the undergraduate experience and offer select graduate programs. It places UMW among the top 10, along with the Virginia Military Institution (VMI), showcasing the mission-driven focus of higher education in the commonwealth. Read more.