Last updated: Sept. 7, 2026
What matters most when it comes to William & Mary? If we had to measure it, we think it’s based on these factors:
- Student community (candles 1 & 3)
- Close relationships with faculty (2 & 4)
- Unique liberal-arts identity (5 & 6)
For more on our methodology, click here.
1. Total enrollment under 8,600
OUT: Undergraduate and graduate enrollment combined now totals 9,597.
Why this metric? It just seems like the whole student body ought to be able to fit into Kaplan. When we are smaller, we are stronger.
2. Student-faculty ratio 12:1 or better
LIT: The current ratio is 11:1.
Why this metric? Knowing and working with top-notch faculty is at the core of the strong academic experience at W&M.
3. 70% or more undergraduates living on-campus
FLICKERING: The College reports 65% of undergraduates live on campus.
Why this metric? William & Mary is special because so much of the action happens on our beautiful campus: meeting interesting new people, inventing new student groups and forming lifelong relationships.
4. >2% of undergraduates completing an honors thesis
LIT: 2.43% of W&M undergrads finished an honors thesis last year.
Why this metric? Undergraduate research is incredibly difficult to measure, but this is a verifiable and historic metric that reflects research participation and faculty capacity for mentorship.
5. ≤25% of conferred degrees in computer science, life sciences, mathematics and physics disciplines
FLICKERING: 26% of W&M degrees were granted in these fields in 2025–26.
Why this metric? Higher education is about expanding the boundaries of knowledge — maintaining a balance between STEM and the humanities is important if we want to hold onto our liberal-arts character.
6. Identifying publicly as “the College of William & Mary”
OUT: W&M has been avoiding the use of “College” for 12 years straight.
Why this metric? If you still have to ask this question, you’re on the wrong website.
The Gale Report Card
September 2026: 3/6 (+2 from last year, thanks to an improved student-faculty ratio and housing more students on campus)
Past report cards by academic year, had we been around to issue them:
2020s
- 2024–25: 1/6
- 2023–24: 2/6 – large dips in on-campus living for the next two years
- 2022–23: 1.5/6
- 2021–22: 2/6 – student-faculty ratio goes to 13:1 for four years
- 2020–21: 3/6 – For the Bold concludes amidst COVID-19
2010s
- 2019–20: 4.5/6 – Agouris begins as provost
- 2018–19: 4/6
- 2017–18: 3.5/6 — final score for Taylor Reveley: 40/60 (66.6%)
- 2016–17: 4/6
- 2015–16: 4/6 – The launch of For the Bold
- 2014–15: 4/6 – the year “College of” disappears
- 2013–14: 4.5/6 – Lambert hired as fundraising VP
- 2012–13: 4.5/6
- 2010–11: 4.5/6
2000s
- 2009–10: 5.5/6 – back to 12:1 for the next 16 years
- 2008–09: 5.5/6
- 2007–08: 6/6 — final score for Gene Nichol: 18/18 (100%)
- 2006–07: 6/6
- 2005–06: 6/6
- 2004–05: 5/6 — Sullivan’s final year, and the earliest year we have good data
Data sources
- William & Mary Common Data Set, 2004-present
- Charles Center Completed Honors Projects
- Note: Kinesiology and Psychology theses are not included in this data, as both programs offer B.A. and B.S. degrees and projects can’t be separated.
This idea is adapted from Mike Shea at SlyFlourish.com. Images sourced by pvproductions at magnific.com.