(This article reports on news from August 2025.)
William & Mary welcomed about 1,900 new undergraduates in August 2025, including a first-year Class of 2029 of approximately 1,650 students chosen from 16,987 applicants and about 215 transfer students, the university’s largest transfer cohort in 14 years. Move-in took place on August 21, 2025, and classes began on August 27 (W&M News, August 22, 2025).
Class of 2029 at a glance
| First-year students | About 1,650 |
|---|---|
| Applicants | 16,987 |
| Average high school GPA | 4.34 |
| SAT, middle 50% (students who submitted scores) | 1390–1520 |
| ACT, middle 50% (students who submitted scores) | 32–34 |
| Geography | 45 states, Washington, D.C., and 23 countries |
| International students | 3% of the class |
| First-generation college students | 9% |
| Pell Grant recipients among incoming in-state students | 21% (expected record) |
Source: W&M News. The announcement did not give an admission rate. Federal IPEDS data for fall 2025 report 17,798 first-year applicants and 6,064 admitted students, an admission rate of about 34%; IPEDS counts can differ from figures in university announcements.
“We are thrilled to welcome our new students to campus and see them flourish as part of this vibrant community,” said Tim Wolfe, associate provost for enrollment and dean of admission.
More Pell Grant students
W&M said 21% of its incoming in-state undergraduates were Pell Grant recipients, the second straight year it had met its goal of at least 20%, a target originally set for 2026. Pell recipients overall had increased 34% over the previous two years. The university credits several initiatives:
- In 2022, W&M committed to covering tuition and fees for all in-state undergraduate Pell Grant recipients.
- In 2023, a gift established a scholarship and applied learning endowment for out-of-state Pell Grant recipients.
- Also in 2023, W&M launched the Commonwealth Impact Partnership Program, in which Virginia high schools nominate high-achieving students from limited-income families.
Pell Grants are federal aid for U.S. students with financial need, so these programs do not apply to international students.
A record transfer pipeline from Virginia community colleges
The roughly 215 incoming transfer students included a record number from the Virginia Community College System (VCCS). Monica Pinier, senior assistant dean of admission, who worked at VCCS before joining W&M, attributed the growth to closer relationships with partner institutions and changes to guaranteed admission agreements. “It’s getting out there that we’re a very welcoming campus for students of all backgrounds,” she said.
What international applicants should know
- A small international community: International students made up 3% of the Class of 2029. In fall 2025, W&M enrolled 237 international undergraduates among 7,063 and 289 international graduate students among 2,755 (IPEDS).
- Test scores: W&M reports SAT and ACT ranges only for students who submitted scores, so check its admissions website for the testing policy in your application year.
- Cost: Out-of-state tuition for 2025–26 was $43,442, plus $7,596 in required fees (IPEDS). International students pay out-of-state rates, and the in-state Pell programs described above do not apply to them.
- Outcomes and rankings: 95% of first-year students returned for their second year (IPEDS). W&M ranks No. 52 among national universities in the U.S. News 2027 edition (Forward Pathway’s US Colleges Ranking).
See Forward Pathway’s William & Mary profile for more admissions and cost data.
Latest: the Class of 2030
A year later, on August 20, 2026, W&M welcomed 1,704 first-year students and 220 transfer students. The Class of 2030 was selected from 17,440 applicants with an admission rate of 35%, and 43% applied Early Decision. The average high school GPA was again 4.34, the middle 50% SAT range among students who submitted scores was 1390–1510, and the ACT range was 32–34. Students came from 47 states, the U.S. Virgin Islands and 22 countries; 9% are first-generation college students and 2% are international students (W&M News, August 21, 2026).
| Class of 2029 (fall 2025) | Class of 2030 (fall 2026) | |
|---|---|---|
| First-year students | About 1,650 | 1,704 |
| Transfer students | About 215 | 220 |
| Applicants (W&M count) | 16,987 | 17,440 |
| Average GPA | 4.34 | 4.34 |
| SAT middle 50% | 1390–1520 | 1390–1510 |
| Countries represented | 23 | 22 |
| International share | 3% | 2% |
References
- Unpacking the Future: Class of 2029, Transfer Students Arrive on Campus – W&M News, August 22, 2025
- A New Class and New Possibilities at W&M – W&M News, August 21, 2026
- William & Mary – Forward Pathway school profile (IPEDS admissions, enrollment and cost data)
- US Colleges Ranking – Forward Pathway