Founded in 1693 by Royal Charter issued by King William III and Queen Mary II, the College of William & Mary is the second-oldest higher education institution in the United States. Situated on a historic 1,200-acre campus in Williamsburg, Virginia, adjacent to Colonial Williamsburg, W&M is celebrated as one of the original Public Ivy institutions. You can examine its pre-revolutionary origins, royal charter, and historic development through the William & Mary Wikipedia historical entry.
When you attend William & Mary, you enter an institution steeped in American political history that prioritizes undergraduate research, seminar-style teaching, and public service. Living in Williamsburg places you in a living history setting surrounded by preserved colonial landmarks and state research centers.
Premier Academic Programs
W&M hosts five specialized schools and colleges delivering elite undergraduate and graduate degree programs:
- Raymond A. Mason School of Business: Top-ranked business school famous for personalized executive mentorship, corporate finance, and business analytics. Explore degree programs on the Mason School of Business portal.
- William & Mary Law School: America's first law school, founded in 1779 by Thomas Jefferson, specializing in constitutional litigation and public interest law.
- Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS): Coastal marine science school leading international research in estuarine ecology and oceanography.
- School of Education: Prepares educational leaders, school counselors, and policy administrators through direct clinical engagement.
- Faculty of Arts & Sciences: Serves as the academic core of W&M across natural sciences, social theory, and humanities.
"Hark Upon the Gale, drawn from the university alma mater, frames William & Mary's enduring historical pride."
Campus Culture and Mascot
Your daily student experience centers on the historic Sir Christopher Wren Building, the oldest academic structure in continuous use in America, and the sunken garden. School spirit revolves around the Griffin, the official mascot featuring the body of a lion and the head of an eagle representing royal history and strength. You can read about the mascot history and spirit traditions on the official W&M Griffin Mascot page. Crossing the Crim Dell bridge and participating in over 450 student organizations creates a memorable student environment.
Research Infrastructure and Marine Science
William & Mary operates an active doctoral research framework with world-class historical and ecological installations:
- Virginia Institute of Marine Science Vessels: Operates research fleets analyzing Chesapeake Bay water quality and coastal fisheries.
- Omohundro Institute of Early American History & Culture: Premier research institute dedicated to publishing scholarly works on early American history. Learn more via William & Mary Research Operations.
- Global Research Institute (GRI): Multidisciplinary research lab applying data analytics to international development and security policy.
Notable Alumni Legacy
You walk in the footsteps of U.S. presidents, Supreme Court justices, cabinet officers, and entertainment visionaries, including:
- Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, and John Tyler: Three U.S. Presidents who completed their education at William & Mary.
- John Marshall: Fourth Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court who studied law at William & Mary under George Wythe.
- Jon Stewart: Emmy Award-winning comedian, writer, and former host of The Daily Show who studied psychology at W&M.
- Robert M. Gates: Former U.S. Secretary of Defense and CIA Director who served as Chancellor of William & Mary.
William & Mary offers complete financial aid coverage for low-income Virginia undergraduate families through the Pell Grant guarantee program. Review full admission standards and application steps on the official William & Mary Admissions portal.