William & Mary students are the friendliest in the nation and among the most engaged and service-minded. W&M faculty are among the best teachers in the country. And W&M graduates are prepared to build lasting and successful careers.
Those common threads emerged among the national rankings released this fall. The university’s standing among the nation’s top 20 public universities was confirmed independently by TIME (16th), Niche (17th), Forbes (18th) and U.S. News & World Report (19th).
W&M climbed five spots to seventh for undergraduate teaching nationally — and second among all publics — in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings, released today. At W&M, students benefit from an 11:1 student-faculty ratio, enabling personalized instruction.
This recognition of undergraduate teaching comes as W&M, an R1 research institution, expands its research capabilities. U.S. News ranked W&M eighth among public universities for undergraduate research. This fall, Robert M. Gates Hall will open as a hub for research and teaching on global issues.
W&M alumni go on to become researchers; the university is ranked second among publics nationally for the rate at which graduates earn Ph.D.s, according to Washington Monthly. At the same time, W&M faculty are recognized leaders in impactful research. They rank first in Virginia — tied with the University of Virginia by U.S. News — for publications in the top 25% of journals in their fields. Many published papers are co-authored with undergraduate students.
“William & Mary is rising across areas we care the most about, including student experience and outcomes” said President Katherine A. Rowe. “Our graduates are prepared to lead, to serve and to build meaningful careers.”
Preparation that pays off
The latest rankings highlight W&M’s commitment to career outcomes. The university is recognized for its devotion to preparing students for the workforce, named by Forbes as one of the “15 Top Colleges to Launch Your Career” and included in Money magazine’s “Best Colleges in America.”
Within six months of graduation, 92% of the Class of 2025 reported positive career outcomes, according to a recent survey. Of those employed, 96% reported their jobs aligned with their career interests.
W&M graduates earn competitive salaries in the careers they pursue. In a new U.S. News measure that compares earnings by field of study, W&M ranked 47th nationally. Across a wide range of programs, W&M graduates perform well compared to peers in the same fields, demonstrating the value of an education grounded in the liberal arts with an emphasis on critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Career preparation begins early at W&M. Students are encouraged to apply their education outside the classroom, through internships, volunteerism and community-engaged learning. They benefit from the focused support of the Office of Career Development & Professional Engagement, ranked fifth for its student-to-career-staff ratio by the National Association of Colleges and Employers.
“At William & Mary, students are shaped not just by time in the classroom, but by opportunities to apply what they’ve learned in real and impactful ways,” said Chief Career Officer Kathleen Powell. “Employers know that when they hire our alumni, they will hire valuable future leaders who bring drive, curiosity and creativity.”
Culture of community
Beyond academic excellence, W&M students find a supportive and friendly community, providing A+ ratings in Niche for academics, student life, student wellness, future readiness and overall experience.
W&M students are the friendliest in the nation, according to The Princeton Review, and the university was ranked 15th by The Princeton Review for “Students Love These Colleges.” From the Sunken Garden to the Lake Matoaka waterfront, they enjoy the 333-year-old campus, placing 17th for The Princeton Review’s “Great Outdoors” ranking. Swem Library is rated third in the country by The Princeton Review.
William & Mary is also a leader in global education. Students seize the chance to explore the world, with the university remaining the top public in the nation for study abroad participation, according to the 2025 Open Doors report. This year, the Peace Corps recognized W&M as one of the top volunteer-producing universities, with 29 graduates serving in 21 countries in the last fiscal year.
Training civic leaders
These recognitions reflect the values-based approach that has guided W&M through the culmination of Vision 2026, the strategic plan that named Careers, Democracy, Water and Data as areas for deliberate expansion.
Throughout 2026, the university has marked the Year of Civic Leadership, inviting students, faculty and staff to explore the ideals of civic engagement. The university has built civil discourse into its culture, using the Aspen Institute’s Better Arguments framework to encourage students to prioritize relationships and listen carefully.
This focus honors W&M’s role as the Alma Mater of the Nation, where the founders who defined American ideals first studied and debated. As the United States has marked the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence — authored and signed by alumni — the university has challenged students to determine how they carry forward the spirit of builders, thinkers and doers. For its new Democracy Scholars, civic learning is woven through the students’ academic and residential experiences.
W&M is nationally recognized for civic contribution. Students are among the most engaged in community service, ranked 21st by The Princeton Review. Washington Monthly, which measures how schools contribute to public good based on social mobility, research and service, places W&M as the top public university in Virginia and 37th nationally. For service, Washington Monthly ranks W&M at 15th in the U.S.
Located near one of the world’s largest concentrations of military installations, W&M has a mission to serve those who serve. More than 1,600 students with military connections are supported by the Office of Student Veteran Engagement. This demonstrated commitment tied William & Mary as 28th among U.S. News’ Best Colleges for Veterans and earned designation as a Gold-Level Military Friendly School, the highest honor given by MilitaryFriendly.com.
Provost Peggy Agouris, who is co-chairing the strategic planning process, said the university’s next chapter will build on the progress of Vision 2026 while sharpening its focus on the areas that will define W&M’s future. She said the goal is to position the university for continued distinction by investing in its students, strengthening its research enterprise, advancing academic excellence and attracting and retaining exceptional talent.
“Across three centuries, William & Mary has prepared its graduates to be builders — of community, of scholarship, of positive change,” Agouris said. “As we look ahead, our responsibility is to give them the creativity, knowledge and confidence to build what comes next.”
Amber Kennedy, Executive Director of Content & Strategy