The W&M Promise
Securing a future worthy of our past
The William & Mary Promise was an innovative tuition model introduced at the university in 2013 to enhance predictability and affordability for Virginia’s undergraduate students. Under the model, tuition increases for in-state undergraduates were either frozen for four years or capped under a specified limit that was publicly adopted by the Board of Visitors.
While providing tuition-stability for families, the W&M Promise also allowed the university to invest more heavily in affordability and excellence measures, including increased aid to students with financial need.
Impact of the W&M Promise
Under the William & Mary Promise, the university more than doubled the amount of undergraduate financial aid. It also reduced the net price (the actual out-of-pocket costs after financial aid and scholarships are factored in) for low- and middle-income Virginians, making W&M significantly more accessible to a wider range of students.
In-State Tuition Guarantees
Future FreshmenThe Board of Visitors sets total cost, including room, board and fees, every spring. In April 2021, that action included no tuition increase for both in-state and out-of-state undergraduate students — the fourth year in a row the Board has kept tuition flat for in-state undergraduate students and their families. The Board’s action also included holding flat for most Arts & Sciences, Marine Science and School of Education graduate programs. For more information, including total costs, visit W&M Admission & Aid. |
Future Transfer StudentsIn-state transfer students pay the same tuition as the entering freshman class. The Board of Visitors sets total cost, including room, board and fees, every spring. In April 2021, that action included no tuition increase for both in-state and out-of-state undergraduate students. For more information, including total costs, visit W&M Admission & Aid. |
Current StudentsIn 2013, William & Mary adopted a guaranteed-tuition plan for in-state students. The guaranteed rate was adopted for each entering class and then remained constant for all four years of undergraduate study. In both 2019 and 2020, the Board of Visitors approved zero tuition increases for in-state undergraduate students. In 2021, the Board held tuition flat for both in-state and out-of-state undergraduate students. Current students who matriculated before fall of 2020 will continue to see no annual increases in tuition. There will be some exceptions in which an undergraduate needs to take longer than four years to finish (for medical withdrawals, internship opportunities and transfer students who lack the prerequisites for their intended major). Those will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Learn more about the review process. W&M, however, has an impressive graduation rate of 91 percent. Of those who graduate, 92 percent complete their work at William & Mary in four years or less. |
The W&M Board of Visitors sets the total costs for the upcoming academic year each spring. View the most current estimated annual costs to attend W&M.
