The University of Mary Washington continues to earn national recognition this fall, with new rankings from Washington Monthly, TIME, Forbes and Niche highlighting UMW’s value, student experience and preparation for life after college.
In its 2026 College Guide, Washington Monthly, known for rankings that emphasize colleges’ contributions to students and the public good, ranked UMW No. 90 among its “Best Colleges for Your Tuition (and Tax) Dollars” in the Southeast, up from No. 97 last year. The ranking measures how well institutions help students attain affordable degrees that lead to successful careers while serving students across income levels. The rankings weigh access, affordability, student outcomes and community service equally.
TIME, the national news publication, also included UMW among 500 institutions in its inaugural America’s Best Colleges list, produced in partnership with global data and rankings company Statista. UMW placed No. 416 among colleges recognized nationwide, one of 12 Virginia institutions to make the list. The ranking draws on federal data to evaluate schools based on student outcomes, learning environment and attractiveness — with student outcomes carrying the greatest weight.
Forbes, the national business publication, named UMW among 500 institutions in its 2027 America’s Top Colleges ranking, placing Mary Washington No. 297 nationwide. The ranking focuses on educational and career outcomes, evaluating colleges based on measures like alumni earnings, student debt, graduation and retention rates, return on investment, academic success and alumni achievement.
Niche, a college search and rankings platform that combines data with student and alumni reviews, awarded UMW an A+ for Future Readiness and an A for Student Wellness in its 2027 rankings. Both measures are new this year with over 1,900 schools evaluated. Read more about UMW’s recent national recognition.