The College of William and Mary, located in Williamsburg, Virginia, is the second-oldest institution of higher education in the United States, founded in 1693. Known for its rich history and academic excellence, the college has a strong commitment to liberal arts education, blending rigorous academics with a vibrant campus culture. The institution's motto, "Deo Vindice," which translates to "With God as our Defender," embodies its historical roots while emphasizing a dedication to intellectual pursuits and moral development. The college's picturesque campus features historic buildings and beautiful green spaces, creating an inspiring environment for students to learn and grow.

William and Mary boasts a distinguished faculty, with a student-to-faculty ratio that fosters close relationships between students and professors. This supportive academic environment is complemented by various research opportunities, allowing undergraduates to engage in meaningful projects alongside experienced faculty members. The college is particularly well-regarded for its programs in government, business, law, and the sciences, attracting a diverse student body from across the nation and around the world. In addition to its strong academics, the college promotes a vibrant student life, with numerous clubs, organizations, and athletic programs that encourage students to pursue their passions outside the classroom. The vibrant community, combined with an emphasis on collaboration and leadership, prepares graduates for successful careers and meaningful contributions to society.

Analysis of Key Educational Metrics

The rising tuition rates at the College of William and Mary reflect a broader trend in higher education, where both in-state and out-of-state students face increasing costs. For instance, from 2014 to 2024, in-state undergraduate tuition surged from approximately $14,267 to $25,041, representing a staggering increase of about 75.5%. Similarly, the out-of-state tuition grew from around $38,440 to $49,412, marking an increase of nearly 28.5%. This escalation in costs can pose significant barriers for prospective students, particularly in a time when student debt rates are already at an all-time high across the United States.

Moreover, the retention rates remain impressively high, hovering around 95% in recent years. This indicates that once students enroll, they are generally satisfied with their experience at the institution, which may be attributed to the quality of education and campus resources provided. This high retention rate is crucial as it suggests that the college not only attracts students but also successfully engages them throughout their academic journey.

Graduation rates have also been relatively stable, with about 85% of students graduating on time and around 91% graduating within 150% of the expected time. This stability is a positive sign of the college’s commitment to student success and support services. However, the slight fluctuations in these rates might warrant a deeper investigation into the factors affecting student performance and outcomes.

Lastly, the gender ratio among undergraduate students shows a consistent trend with slightly more female students enrolled compared to males. The percentage of female undergraduates has increased from approximately 55% in 2013 to around 58% in 2023, reflecting broader societal shifts towards greater female representation in higher education.

Overall, while the rising tuition costs present challenges, the institution's strong retention and graduation rates, alongside an evolving demographic landscape, paint a picture of a resilient academic environment committed to fostering student success.

Analysis of Graduation Data at the College of William and Mary

The graduation statistics from the College of William and Mary for 2023 reveal notable trends in various academic disciplines. The data indicates a significant emphasis on graduate programs, particularly in fields like Law and Business Administration. For instance, the Law program graduated 217 doctorate students, with 8 being international students, showcasing its strong reputation and attractiveness to global candidates. This trend mirrors the increasing interest in legal education, especially as legal professions adapt to a rapidly changing socio-economic landscape.

Moreover, the Business Administration programs show a robust output with a total of 411 master's graduates, including 37 international students. This aligns with the broader market demand for business professionals equipped to navigate complex global economies. The prevalence of international students in these programs highlights the globalization of education, where institutions attract diverse talents.

Interestingly, disciplines like Computer Science and various interdisciplinary studies have also seen a gradual increase in graduations, reflecting the rising importance of technology and interdisciplinary approaches in higher education. With 84 bachelor graduates in Computer Science, this field continues to be a crucial area of study, preparing students for careers in an increasingly digital world.

Furthermore, the data suggests a lower graduation rate in the humanities and social sciences, such as History and Sociology, indicating potential shifts in student preferences towards more vocationally oriented programs. This trend raises questions about the future of liberal arts education, particularly amidst ongoing debates about its relevance in today's job market.

In summary, the graduation data from the College of William and Mary illustrates evolving academic priorities, with a strong focus on professional programs and a growing international student presence, reflecting broader trends in higher education and workforce demands.

Analysis of College of William and Mary's Rankings and Admission Data (2009-2024)

The College of William and Mary has exhibited a dynamic trajectory in its U.S. News ranking and admission statistics over the years. As observed, the university's rank has fluctuated between 31st and 41st place from 2009 to 2023, with a notable drop to 53rd in 2024. This decrease in ranking could be attributed to various factors, including changes in the evaluation criteria of U.S. News or shifts in the college's performance metrics. The admission rates for male and female applicants show a consistent pattern, with male applicants generally having a higher acceptance rate compared to female applicants. For instance, in 2009, the acceptance rate for males was approximately 43.1%, while for females, it was around 28.8%. This trend continues throughout the years, with slight variations. The gender disparity in admission rates might reflect differences in the applicant pools or strategic enrollment management by the college. Interestingly, the number of enrolled students has gradually increased, peaking at 1684 in 2022. This rise in enrollment numbers corresponds with an increase in the number of applications, leading to a higher number of denied and deferred applicants. In 2022, the college denied 11,089 applicants, the highest in the given timeframe, which indicates a surge in the institution's popularity or an improvement in its outreach efforts. The deferment rates have also shown an upward trend, particularly in the last few years. For example, in 2023, 4,417 students deferred their admission, a significant increase from the 2,579 in 2009. This could be influenced by external factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led many students to postpone their college start dates. In summary, the College of William and Mary has experienced significant changes in its rankings and admissions landscape. The fluctuations in acceptance rates, increased enrollment numbers, and higher deferment rates reflect broader trends in higher education and the institution's evolving strategies to maintain its competitive edge. The drop to 53rd place in 2024 might serve as a critical juncture for the college to reassess and realign its priorities to regain its former standing.

The College of William and Mary has witnessed notable trends in standardized test submissions and scores over the years from 2007 to 2023. One prominent observation is the gradual decline in the percentage of admitted students submitting SAT scores. In 2007, about 96% of admitted students submitted SAT scores, but by 2023, this percentage had dropped dramatically to around 52%. This steep decline could be attributed to the growing acceptance of test-optional policies and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on standardized testing availability and student decisions.

Despite the decrease in the number of SAT submissions, the SAT scores of admitted students have remained consistently high. For instance, SAT reading scores have seen a steady increase in their 25th to 75th percentile ranges, moving from 620-730 in 2007 to 695-750 in 2023. Similarly, SAT math scores have also shown improvement, with the 25th percentile rising from 620 in 2007 to 695 in 2023.

ACT submissions have also followed a similar trend with a declining percentage of students submitting these scores. However, the ACT composite scores of those who did submit have remained competitive. The 25th to 75th percentile range for ACT composite scores has consistently hovered around 29 to 33. This stability suggests that the college continues to attract high-achieving students despite the broader shifts in test submission behavior.

These trends align with a broader national movement towards holistic admissions processes that place less emphasis on standardized test scores. This shift is likely to continue influencing admissions strategies and the profile of future student cohorts at the College of William and Mary.

Analysis of Student Composition at College of William and Mary in 2023

The data from the College of William and Mary in 2023 offers an insightful snapshot into the composition of its student body, categorized into undergraduates, transfers, and graduates. Notably, the gender distribution reveals a higher percentage of female students across all categories, with the undergraduate freshmen class comprising 55.8% females and 44.2% males. This trend is consistent across undergraduate juniors, transfers, and graduate students, reflecting a broader national trend of increasing female representation in higher education.

The ethnic composition within these groups presents additional layers of diversity. Among undergraduate freshmen, white students constitute the largest group, followed by significant representations of Asian, Latinx, and African American students. The data for undergraduate juniors and transfers further supports this diversity, with white students remaining the largest group but with noticeable minority group presence.

Graduate students also exhibit a similar pattern, with white students being the majority, but with substantial numbers of Asian and international students. This reflects the college's commitment to multiculturalism and global engagement, critical for fostering a vibrant academic environment.

The specific numbers and percentages of minority groups, such as Asian and Latinx students, underscore the college's efforts to create an inclusive community. For example, 45.2% of white male students and 54.8% of white female students among undergraduate freshmen indicate a balanced gender distribution within this majority group.

Overall, the College of William and Mary demonstrates a well-rounded and diverse student population. The higher female enrollment and substantial minority representation align with broader educational trends, highlighting the institution's progressive approach to inclusion and diversity.

The age composition data of students from the College of William and Mary in 2023 reveals some intriguing trends. A significant proportion of undergraduate students fall within the typical college age range of 18-21 years, with males at 2,560 and females at 3,703. This indicates a balanced representation with a slight predominance of female students. Notably, the 18-19 age group is the largest, showcasing the influx of new students fresh out of high school.

Graduate students display a broader age range, reflecting the diverse stages of life and career at which individuals pursue advanced degrees. The 22-24 age group has a balanced distribution between male and female graduate students, but as the age increases, there is a noticeable shift. The 25-29 age group sees a significant rise in female graduate students (464) compared to their male counterparts (381), suggesting that women might be pursuing graduate studies more actively in this age bracket.

The age groups from 30-39 show a consistent but smaller number of students, indicating that while fewer individuals pursue higher education at this stage, a steady interest remains. Interestingly, the 40-49 age group has a substantial number of female graduate students (219) compared to males (125), perhaps reflecting career changes or advancements that necessitate further education.

The presence of students over 50 is minimal but noteworthy, indicating lifelong learning and academic pursuits beyond the traditional age ranges.

Overall, the data reflects a healthy and diverse student population at the College of William and Mary, with a significant female representation across various age groups, particularly in graduate programs. This diversity is essential for fostering a rich academic environment and preparing students for a globalized world.

The data from the College of William and Mary indicates fluctuating trends in the proportion of international students at both undergraduate and graduate levels over the years 2004 to 2023. In the early 2000s, the proportion of international undergraduates was relatively low, around 2%, with the lowest point in 2006 at 1.66%. However, from 2010 onwards, there has been a noticeable increase, peaking in 2018 at 6.22%. This suggests a growing interest and possibly enhanced efforts by the institution to attract international undergraduate students.

Conversely, the percentage of international graduate students has shown more variability. In the mid-2000s, the proportion was relatively high, with a peak of 14.72% in 2005. This percentage saw a decline in subsequent years but remained above 10% until 2010. Notably, in recent years, there has been a downward trend, reaching 8.72% in 2023. This decline could be attributed to various factors, including changes in visa policies, geopolitical tensions, or shifts in the university's priorities or attractiveness to international graduate students.

Comparing the two trends, it is evident that the institution has been more successful in increasing the proportion of international undergraduates than maintaining a consistent proportion of international graduates. This could be due to targeted recruitment efforts or the relative appeal of undergraduate programs compared to graduate programs for international students.

The data also reflects broader global trends in international education. For example, the significant drop in 2020 and 2021 could be linked to the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted international travel and education globally. The partial recovery in 2022 and 2023 indicates a gradual return to normalcy but also suggests that the impacts of the pandemic are still being felt.

Overall, the College of William and Mary appears to be a dynamic institution responding to global trends and internal strategies in its engagement with international students. The fluctuating proportions highlight the need for continuous adaptation and perhaps renewed strategies to maintain and grow its international student body.

Here are some notable universities surrounding the College of William and Mary:

1. University of Virginia-Main Campus - Ranked 24th in the 2024 US News rankings, this public research university is known for its historic foundation and strong emphasis on liberal arts education.

2. University of Richmond - A top-ranked liberal arts college at 25th place, the University of Richmond offers a unique blend of rigorous academics and a vibrant campus life.

3. Georgetown University - Holding the 22nd rank, Georgetown is a prestigious private university in Washington, D.C., known for its strong programs in international relations and law.

4. George Washington University - With a rank of 67, this university is located in the heart of the nation’s capital and offers a diverse range of programs with a focus on public service and leadership.

5. University of Maryland-College Park - Ranked 46th, this public research university is known for its extensive research opportunities and vibrant campus community.

6. Virginia Commonwealth University - At 142nd place, VCU is well-regarded for its programs in arts, health sciences, and business.

These institutions provide a wealth of educational opportunities and enrich the academic landscape surrounding the College of William and Mary.

The crime and disciplinary data from the College of William and Mary between 2013 and 2023 reveal significant fluctuations in reported incidents and overall safety on campus. The crime rate per 1000 students peaked in 2014 at 24.52, highlighting a concerning period for campus security. However, there has been a notable decline in the average rate over the years, reaching a low of 4.16 in 2021. This reduction could be attributed to improved campus safety measures, increased awareness, and perhaps the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which might have led to fewer campus activities and thus fewer opportunities for crime.

Interestingly, while the total number of incidents has varied, the types of incidents reported show a worrying presence of serious crimes such as rape, assault, and stalking. The data indicates a persistent issue with drug and alcohol-related offenses, which are common on many college campuses. The measures to address such issues, including educational programs on substance abuse and increased law enforcement presence, might be contributing factors to the declining trend.

Despite the overall decrease, the resurgence to an average rate of 8.95 in 2022 and 9.59 in 2023 suggests that vigilance and continuous improvement in campus safety protocols are essential. The presence of crimes such as theft and vandalism also underscores the need for robust security systems and community vigilance.

In conclusion, while the declining crime rates at the College of William and Mary are encouraging, ongoing efforts to address and mitigate serious crimes are crucial. Ensuring a safe campus environment requires a multifaceted approach, including preventive measures, education, and effective law enforcement. More detailed analysis and continuous monitoring will help sustain and improve these safety trends.

For more information on how crime rates are calculated, please refer to the following link: Crime Rate Calculation.