The University of Mary Washington has been recognized among the nation’s top schools by U.S. News & World Report, which released its 2024 “Best Colleges” list today. UMW ranked 11th among public liberal arts colleges and 154th among national liberal arts colleges, both public and private.

The U.S. News rankings evaluate more than 1,500 colleges and universities on up to 19 measures of academic quality.

“For 40 years, students and their families have come to count on Best Colleges as a vital resource as they navigate one of the most important decisions of their lives,” said Eric Gertler, executive chairman and CEO of U.S. News. “The significant changes in this year’s methodology are part of the ongoing evolution to make sure our rankings capture what is most important for students as they compare colleges and select the school that is right for them.”

U.S. News also included UMW on its “Top Performers for Social Mobility” roster for efforts to advance opportunities for economically disadvantaged students. UMW’s graduation rate for Pell-eligible students, a key indicator in this category, also increased, and the University continues to enhance and expand initiatives for students to succeed through graduation and Life After Mary Washington. Read more.