William & Mary remains No. 1 public university for study abroad

The Reves Center for International Studies confirms that William & Mary is once again the top ranked public university in the nation for study-abroad participation, a ranking it has attained 12 times over the last 17 years.

The ranking was reported in the Open Doors 2025 Report on International Educational Exchange released Nov. 17 by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the Institute of International Education (IIE). According to the report, which uses data from the 2023-2024 academic year, 885 William & Mary undergraduate students –approximately 55% -- studied abroad for academic credit during their undergraduate careers.

“The rankings once again affirm William & Mary's place as a leader in global education. Our study abroad programs are models of intellectual depth combined with deep cultural understanding, said Teresa Longo, associate provost for international affairs and executive director of the Reves Center for International Studies. “We are proud of our students for the way they immerse themselves while abroad and for the sophistication they demonstrate when they return. We are also proud of the way they play it forward-- by bringing their knowledge of the world into careers of meaning and distinction.”

Global education at William & Mary

The Reves Center for International Studies is study abroad headquarters at William & Mary, designing, administering and managing programs in collaboration with departments across the university.

Each year William & Mary students study abroad in more than 55 countries. They participate in 48 W&M exchanges, sponsored semester programs, faculty-led programs and internships, as well as those offered through other universities and organizations. 

Programs run throughout the year and vary in length, from summer or semester to winter or during spring break. From Akita, Japan to Vilnius, Lithuania; and from Berlin to Bangkok, W&M study abroad programs encompass multiple courses of study in all disciplines and incorporate applied learning and research opportunities.

Through the Global Education Office at the Reves Center, students receive support, information, resources and guidance on study-abroad programs and international university exchanges. Reves also provides workshops, peer advising and re-entry assistance for students returning from their study-abroad experience.

“W&M students, faculty, staff and alumni see the value of study abroad for all W&M students who wish to participate. Their enthusiasm and commitment to global education is reflected in these latest participation rates,” said Sylvia Mitterndorfer, director of the global education office and director of global partnerships at the Reves Center. “Our students understand the impact of global education on academic growth, cross-cultural collaboration and career development. Study abroad has become one of the pillars of applied learning opportunities for W&M students. The recent small extension of our winter break has had an oversized impact, opening the world for so many of our students and faculty who might otherwise not have been able to participate. We’re grateful for strong institutional and faculty support as well as the commitment of so many alumni and friends to reducing financial barriers.” 

Making study abroad accessible to all

The Reves Center administers more than $700,000 annually in study-abroad scholarships as one of many efforts to reduce financial barriers. Even so, the funds are not sufficient to support every William & Mary student who wishes to study abroad.

“Our next move at the Reves Center is to make the opportunity accessible to all,” Longo said.

For more information about study abroad at William & Mary, visit the Reves Center website.

About Open Doors 

About Open Doors Open Doors is the most comprehensive information resource on international students and scholars in the United States and on U.S. students studying abroad for academic credit. The Open Doors project is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and supported in its implementation by the Institute of International Education. For more data, infographics, and resources, visit opendoorsdata.org.