The W&M Promise
Securing a future worthy of our past
William & Mary is one of the original eight "Public Ivies," state-assisted institutions offering a superior education at a cost far below that of the Ivy League. Based on its smaller size, commitment to undergraduate teaching and combination of contemporary excellence and historic preeminence, W&M is the quintessential public ivy.
The William & Mary Promise is an innovative operating model that enhances the quality of a William & Mary education while improving predictability and affordability for in-state undergraduate students at the Commonwealth's distinctive public ivy.
William & Mary is the place where your promise is met with our promise.
The W&M Promise:
- an excellent education rivaling the top universities in the world
- predictability through a tuition guarantee for incoming Virginia undergraduates
- increased affordability and reduced student debt for low- and middle-income Virginia families
2020-2021
The William & Mary Board of Visitors unanimously voted May 12, 2020 to roll back a previously adopted tuition increase for incoming in-state undergraduates and keep tuition and mandatory fees flat for all students, including in-state and out-of-state undergraduates, graduate and professional students.
The action is part of the university’s overall planned response to mitigate financial strain on students and families. According to the budget resolution (pdf), the tuition and fee rates adopted by the Board are for the upcoming 2020-21 academic year. It reverses action taken by the Board in the fall, which included for a 3% tuition increase for new in-state undergraduates, in accordance with the university’s six-year plan. That plan, which was adopted in September, called for in-state undergraduate tuition increases of up to 3% each year. Going forward, the intent is that the Board will revisit future tuition recommendations in advance of the 2021-22 academic year.
