Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at University of Mary Washington
Bachelor's Degree
umw.eduAnalysis
University of Mary Washington's liberal arts program starts modestly but shows impressive momentum, with graduates seeing 35% earnings growth by year four—reaching $51,008, well above both national and Virginia medians for this field. That trajectory matters more than the somewhat soft starting salary of $37,677, which ranks in the 40th percentile among Virginia liberal arts programs.
The debt picture is reasonable at $22,354, translating to a 0.59 debt-to-earnings ratio that's manageable even in the early years. This is particularly notable given that many Virginia liberal arts programs carry higher debt loads (state median is $25,375). While top-performing programs like James Madison and Bridgewater show stronger initial earnings, UMW graduates appear to catch up over time as their careers develop.
The gap between UMW's national ranking (56th percentile) and its Virginia ranking (40th percentile) reflects Virginia's competitive liberal arts landscape rather than a program weakness. For families seeking an affordable liberal arts education with solid long-term prospects, this program offers a viable path—just expect your graduate to build their career over several years rather than commanding top salaries immediately after college.
Where University of Mary Washington Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all liberal arts and sciences, general studies and humanities bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How University of Mary Washington graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Mary Washington | $37,677 | $51,008 | +35% |
| George Mason University | $41,398 | $53,166 | +28% |
| James Madison University | $49,408 | $46,503 | -6% |
| Virginia State University | $34,877 | $46,267 | +33% |
| Longwood University | $46,714 | $45,651 | -2% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Virginia
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Virginia (31 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 University of Mary WashingtonFredericksburg | $14,559 | $37,677 | $51,008 | $22,354 | 0.59 |
 James Madison UniversityHarrisonburg | $13,576 | $49,408 | $46,503 | $23,250 | 0.47 |
 Bridgewater CollegeBridgewater | $41,350 | $46,820 | $43,891 | $26,000 | 0.56 |
 Longwood UniversityFarmville | $15,200 | $46,714 | $45,651 | $25,375 | 0.54 |
 Eastern Mennonite UniversityHarrisonburg | $41,860 | $46,585 | $43,490 | $27,000 | 0.58 |
 Liberty UniversityLynchburg | $21,222 | $42,669 | $39,447 | $25,291 | 0.59 |
| National Median | — | $36,340 | — | $27,000 | 0.74 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with liberal arts and sciences, general studies and humanities graduates
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At University of Mary Washington, approximately 20% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 97 graduates with reported earnings and 104 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.