The University of Mary Washington has once again been recognized in the annual Fiske Guide to Colleges, one of the leading guides for nearly 40 years. The 2023 edition features more than 300 of the “best and most interesting” public and private four-year colleges and universities in the nation as well as Canada, Great Britain and Ireland. Details come directly from the students.

“Tradition is at the heart of UMW and is one of the many things that instills a sense of community here,” says a junior quoted in the publication.

“Students are self-motivated by the excitement of learning something new,” comments another student.

Citing Mary Washington’s reputation as one of the premier public liberal arts and sciences colleges in the country, the Fiske Guide highlights the innovative core curriculum, including the “Beyond the Classroom” component and “After UMW” initiative, focused on professional and career development. The University’s Honor Code and First-Year Seminar (FSEM) earn additional praise, and the guide notes how the “close ties between students and faculty are a great source of pride at Mary Washington.” Read more.

The University of Mary Washington is a premier, selective public liberal arts and sciences university in Virginia, highly respected for its commitment to academic excellence, strong undergraduate liberal arts and sciences program, and dedication to life-long learning. The university, with a total enrollment of more than 4,000, features colleges of business, education and arts and sciences, and three campuses, including a residential campus in Fredericksburg, Va., a second one in nearby Stafford and a third in Dahlgren, Va., which serves as a center of development of educational and research partnerships between the Navy, higher education institutions and the region’s employers.