In the heart of the historic town of Williamsburg, Virginia, stands an institution steeped in the heritage of American higher education—The College of William & Mary. As the second-oldest institution of higher education in the United States, W&M has upheld a tradition of elite education since its founding in 1693 by King William III and Queen Mary II of England. Hailed as a “Public Ivy,” the university ranks 21st in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report ranking of the Best Public Universities in the U.S. and has consistently ranked among the nation’s top institutions for its outstanding undergraduate education. Today, we will take you on a comprehensive tour of this cradle of American presidents through five key dimensions: History and Heritage, Academic Reputation and Rankings, Employment and Career Development, Campus Facilities and Environment, and Student Life and Club Culture.
A Rich History and Legacy
The history of the College of William & Mary resonates almost in sync with that of the United States. In 1693, King William III and Queen Mary II of England issued a royal charter establishing this institution, making it the second-oldest institution of higher education in North America, surpassed only by Harvard University. It is this very royal charter that grants W&M its unique status as the “Alma Mater of the Nation.”
Flipping through the school’s alumni directory is like reading a condensed history of the United States. George Washington obtained his surveyor’s license here, Thomas Jefferson completed his undergraduate studies here, and James Monroe and John Tyler also graduated from this institution. The legacy of these four U.S. presidents has established W&M as a cradle for nurturing national leaders. Even more noteworthy is that Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s first Greek-letter academic honor society, was founded here in 1776. Today, its membership includes 17 U.S. presidents, 38 Supreme Court justices, and 136 Nobel laureates. American university diploma can’t be taken lightly
The oldest building on campus, the Wren Building, was constructed in 1700. Despite surviving three fires, it still stands tall and remains the oldest academic building in the United States that is still in use today. Walking across campus, every brick and stone tells a story spanning more than three centuries.
World-Renowned Academic Reputation and Rankings
The academic strength of the College of William & Mary has been consistently validated in numerous authoritative rankings. In 2025, Forbes included it on its “New Ivy” list, ranking it alongside traditional Ivy League institutions such as Harvard and Yale as a top institution that “attracts the best students and produces the most outstanding graduates.” This honor fully reflects W&M’s standing in the eyes of employers—today, more corporate executives say they prefer to hire graduates from public universities.
W&M’s performance in specific rankings is equally impressive:
21st among U.S. public universities (2026 U.S. News)
2nd in undergraduate teaching (among public universities)
Top 15 universities most favored by employers (Forbes)
25th in the U.S. for graduate history programs (U.S. News)
31st in the U.S. for law schools, 19th in constitutional law
W&M’s business school is equally noteworthy. In Bloomberg’s “Best Business Schools” rankings, the Mason School of Business ranked first in the U.S. for “Learning Experience.” The undergraduate business program jumped from 48th in 2024 to 20th in 2025—a 48-rank surge over two years—demonstrating remarkable momentum.
Outstanding Employment and Career Development
For students and parents, W&M’s most compelling feature may well be its employment outcomes. Forbes ranks it among the top 15 “Best Colleges for Career Development” in the U.S., while The Princeton Review lists it as the 18th best public university for “Career Placement” in the nation.
A few statistics speak volumes:
- 92% of graduates secure employment or enter graduate school within six months of graduation
- 97% of graduates work in fields highly aligned with their career interests
- Graduates start with an average salary of $64,890, 21% above the national average
- Fifteen years after graduation, alumni earn a median salary 29% higher than graduates of other public universities in Virginia
W&M offers students unparalleled hands-on opportunities. The university is committed to providing funding for every undergraduate seeking an internship, and since 2021, the number of students receiving funding has quadrupled. Each year, more than 12,800 employers post over 21,563 internship positions, with top global companies—from Deloitte and Morgan Stanley to Amazon and IBM—extending offers to W&M students. The Princeton Review ranked W&M 6th among U.S. public universities for internships.
W&M graduates also excel in academic pursuits. *Washington Monthly* ranked the university first among public universities in the U.S. for the “proportion of alumni pursuing doctoral degrees.” The school has been a top producer of Fulbright Scholars for 15 consecutive years, and the number of alumni receiving top honors such as the Rhodes Scholarship and the Marshall Scholarship ranks among the highest in the nation.
Picturesque Campus Facilities and Environment
The College of William & Mary’s campus is celebrated as one of the most beautiful college campuses in the United States. Travel & Leisure ranked it 20th among the nation’s most beautiful campuses, while Architectural Digest named its main lawn the 8th most beautiful college plaza in the country.
At the heart of the campus lies the central lawn known as the “Sunken Gardens.” An exchange student from the University of St. Andrews described it this way: this rectangular lawn is surrounded by red-brick academic buildings, with ancient trees casting dappled shadows. During the day, students sit on benches reading or lie on the grass soaking up the sun; in the evening, when golden sunlight bathes the campus, it transforms into a tranquil haven.
Chandler Hall, the student residence, features a suite-style layout, with two rooms sharing a bathroom. Spacious common areas and cozy kitchens create a home-like atmosphere. An exchange student recalled, “While waiting for the microwave to heat up my dinner, I happened to strike up a conversation with a few American students about the differences between British and American campus life. These casual exchanges are precisely what make dorm life so charming.”
Just beyond the campus lies the largest historical museum in the United States—Colonial Williamsburg. This living museum perfectly preserves 18th-century streets, architecture, and lifestyles, with docents dressed in colonial-era attire wandering the streets. As one student put it, “You can step out of the classroom and walk straight into the 18th century. History isn’t confined to textbooks; it’s part of everyday life.”
A Vibrant Student Life and Club Culture
Campus life at W&M is full of vitality and a strong sense of belonging. Every fall, the university hosts a six-week “Weeks of Welcome” orientation program, featuring dozens of carefully designed activities to help freshmen quickly integrate into the community. On the first day of school, thousands of students gather in front of the Wren Building to take commemorative photos; freshmen participate in building a model of the campus, collectively creating shared memories unique to William & Mary.
As the birthplace of Phi Beta Kappa, W&M boasts a long-standing tradition of club culture. The university is home to over 400 student organizations spanning academic, cultural, artistic, athletic, and service fields. Organizations such as the Student Government Association, Model United Nations, and the Debate Team provide students with platforms to develop leadership skills.
In athletics, W&M’s sports teams, known as “The Tribe,” compete fiercely against opponents in NCAA Division I competitions. From basketball and soccer to swimming and tennis, students can work up a sweat on the field or cheer on the teams from the stands.
Notably, W&M has partnered with the University of St. Andrews in the UK to offer a joint degree program, allowing students to study for two years at each of these historic institutions and earn dual degrees. This cross-border educational experience enables students to experience both the warmth of the American South and the rustic charm of the Scottish Highlands.
