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Tuition at William & Mary is published annually in the catalog. All known university catalogs have been digitized and are available online. Discussion of tuition increases as well as any mid-year changes to tuition are documented in official university records like the Board of Visitors, office of the President, etc. and news articles can be found in the William & Mary News, Flat Hat, and other media outlets.

For further information about tuition at William & Mary consult the Material in the Special Collections Research Center section of this page.

18th Century

The first reference to tuition at the College of William & Mary is in The Statutes of the College of William & Mary, in Virginia, LD6051 .W27 1736, pages 87-95. The Statutes also are in the William & Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine, Vol. 22, No. 4 (April 1914) pages 281-296.

The Statutes were written in 1727 and codified in 1736, the tuition is as follows:

Grammar school-20 shillings sterling Philosophy school-There were 2 professors in this school. Each professor received 80 pounds sterling plus 20 shillings sterling from each student if there was no usher in the school. When there was an usher in the school, 15 shillings were to be paid to the professor and 5 to the usher with the usher receiving a salary of 50 pounds sterling.

The Statutes also stated "but from the poor Scholars, who are upon any charitable College Foundation, neither the Master, nor Usher are to take any School Wages; but they are to be taught Gratis."

19th Century

A flyer distributed by President Ewell announcing the 1865-1866 session stressed economy.

  • Fees $66
  • Each modern language $15
  • Board at College Hotel $160
  • Fuel, lights, and washing $25-50 (Godson, et al. p. 338)
  • Grammar school pupils would pay $33 in fess and $10 for each ancient and modern language

1889-90 for a 9 month session

Students pledged to teach as required by law

  • Board, including fuel, lights, washing, and attendance $90.00
  • Books $10.00

For other students:

  • Board, including fuel, lights, washing, and attendance $108.00
  • Books $10.00
  • Tuition fee $25.00

1890-91 for a 9 month session

Students pledged to teach as required by law:

  • Board, including fuel, lights, washing, and attendance $90.00
  • Books $10.00
  • Medical fee $ 2.00

For other students:

  • Board, including fuel and lights $108.00
  • Books $10.00
  • Medical fee $ 2.00
  • Tuition fee $25.00

20th Century

1900-1901

Students taking the Normal Course session of 9 months

  • Board, including fuel, lights, washing, and attendance $90.00
  • Books $15.00
  • Matriculation fee $5.00
  • Gymnasium fee $5.00
  • Medical fee $3.00
  • Contingent fee $3.00 (returned if no charges against student or damage to property)
    • Total for a 9 month session $121.00

For Students taking the Collegiate Course of 9 months:

  • Board, including fuel, lights, washing, and attendance $108.00
  • Books $15.00
  • Tuition fee $35.00
  • Matriculation fee $5.00
  • Gymnasium fee $5.00
  • Medical fee $3.00
  • Contingent fee $3.00 (returned if no charges against student or damage to property)
    • Total for a 9 month session $174.00

1910-1911

  • Board at the college boarding house, including fuel, lights, washing, and attendance $12.00/month plus $1.00/month for room rent
  • Books $15.00-$25.00
  • Tuition fee $35.00
  • Matriculation fee $5.00
  • Gymnasium fee $5.00
  • Medical fee $3.00
  • Contingent fee $3.00 (returned if no charges against student or damage to property)

1918-1919 the first year women admitted to W&M

By an act of the General Assembly, approved March, 1918, women are admitted to the college on the same terms as men and enjoy full academic privileges. Tyler Hall is used as the dormitory for women and is the center of their social life. A resident Mistress of the Hall is in charge and assists the Dean of Women in her supervision of the life of the students.

  • For Virginia students holding State Scholarships, 9 month session:
  • Gym and athletic fee $10.00
  • Board, $180.00
  • Room rent $8.00-$36.00
  •  
  • For Virginia students not holding State Scholarships, 9 month session:
  • Matriculation fee $15.00
  • Gym and athletic fee $10.00
  • College fee $38.00
  • Board $180.00
  • Room rent $18.00-$36.00
  •  
  • For students not from Virginia:
  • Tudition fee $40.00
  • Matriculation fee $15.00
  • College fee $38.00
  • Board $180.00
  • Room rent $18.00-$36.00
  •  
  • All students:
  • Books $15.00-$30.00
  • Contingent Fee $3.00
  • Diplomas- Master's $10.00, Bachelor's $7.50, Teacher's $2.00
  • Laboratory Fee $1.50(chemistry, biology, industrial arts)
  •  

The College fee is for general expenses of the college: fuel, servants' hire, medical attendance and building maintenance. Room rent includes furniture, janitor service, heat, light and laundry service.

1920-1921

  • Virginia students - 9 month session:
  • Matriculation fee $10.00
  • Gymnasium and athletic fee $10.00
  • Student Activities fee $15.00
  • Room rent $18.00-$36.00
  • Board $180.00
  • College fee $40.00 (not charged for students holding state scholarships)
  • Students not from Virginia:
  • The fees are the same as above as well as $50.00 for tuition.

1930-1931

  • Students from Virginia per semester(2 in college year)
  • Matriculation fee $9.00
  • Athletic fee $11.50
  • Gymnasium fee $5.00
  • Library fee $1.50
  • Laboratory fee per course $7.50
  • Laundry fee $10.00
  • College fee $37.50 (not charged for students holding state scholarships)
  • Room and Board ranges from $135.50-$225.00 depending on the building and number of occupants
  • Students not from Virginia:
  • The fees are the same as above as well as $50.00 for tuition per semester.

1940-1941

  • All students per semester:
  • Laundry $10.00
  • Infirmary $4.50
  • Athletics $11.50
  • Gymnasium $5.00
  • Activities $4.00
  • Books $25.00-$50.00
  • Laboratory fee $7.50 per course
  • Board $99.00
  • Room fee ranges from $40.00-$120 depending on the building and number of occupants
  • Tuition for students from Virginia $76.00
  • Tuition for students not from Virginia $151.00

1950-1951

  • All students per semester:
  • Laundry $15.00
  • Books $25.00-$50.00
  • Board $1.15 per day, average $138.00 $150.00 per semester
  • Room fee ranges from $40.00-$130.00 depending on the building and number of occupants
  • Tuition for students from Virginia $125.00
  • Tuition for students not from Virginia $220.00

1960-1961

  • All students per semester:
  • Laundry $16.00
  • Books $25.00-$50.00
  • Board $225.00 per semester
  • Room fee ranges from $55.00-150.00 depending on the building and number of occupants
  • Tuition for students from Virginia $176.00
  • Tuition for students not from Virginia $361.00

1967-1968

Per semester:

Tuition and general fee

  • $223 for in-state
  • $505 for out-state

Board

  • $245

Room rent

  • Men: $100-225 (depending on size, location, bath)
  • Women: $155-225 (depending on size, location, bath)

Laundry

  • $16-20

1992-1993

  • $2,023 per semester for in-state
  • $5,713 per semester for out-of-state1

"Freshmen are required to purchase a 19 meal per week plan for $905 per semester. For meal plan purposes, "Freshmen" is interpreted to mean those students in their first year of residence in College who are housed in residence halls for freshman students. For all other students, the purchase of a meal plan is optional. Three meal plans are offered on a semester basis: 19 meals per week for $905; 15 meals per week for $804 and 10 meals per week for $610."2

"Rent for student residences varies depending on the specific dormitory assignment; the average rent is $1,045.50 per semester."3

Non-Recurring Fees:

  • Application fee $ 40.00
  • Enrollment Deposit 150.00
  • Room Deposit 100.00
  • Orientation Fee 77.00
  • Room Damage Deposit 75.00
  • Room change penalty fee 25.004

Special Fees: "Additional fees are charged for Music Performance Lessons and certain physical education courses such as Scuba Diving, Karate, and Horseback Riding. The fees for Music Performance lessons are $230 per semester for 30-minute lesson per week and $460 per semester for one hour lesson per week. Music Concentrators are exempt from paying the Music Fee up to the limit of six credit hours but must present a signed exemption certificate to the Treasurer's Office each semester (See the Music Coordinator for exemption form)."

"Fees for other special courses are determined by the demand and by the arrangements which are necessary to support such demand. Special fees are nonrefundable."5

21st Century

2005-06

Tuition and Fees per Year:
Undergraduate In-State : $7,778
Undergraduate Out-of-State: $23,186
Graduate In-State: $8,880
Graduate Out-of-State: $21,166
(School of Law and Graduate School of Business Rates Differ)

2006-07

Tuition and Fees per Year:
Undergraduate In-State : $8,490
Undergraduate Out-of-State: $25,048

2007-08

Tuition and Fees per Year:
Undergraduate In-State : $9,164
Undergraduate Out-of-State: $26,934

2008-09

Tuition and Fees per Year:
Undergraduate In-State : $10,246
Undergraduate Out-of-State: $29,326
Graduate School of Education In-State : $10,260
Graduate School of Education Out-of-State: $23,790
Graduate School of Business In-State : $21,000
Graduate School of Business Out-of-State: $33,000
Law School In-State : $20,146
Law School Out-of-State: $30,346



2007-2008 CAMPUS HOUSING RATES

ROOM TYPE COST PER SEMESTER

Main Campus Singles $2,503
Main Campus Doubles $2,203
Main Campus Triples $2,103
Main Campus Quads (excluding Ludwell) $2,053
Ludwell Doubles and Quads $2,203
Ludwell Triple Apartments $2,103
Graduate Complex Doubles $2,503
Graduate Complex Triples and Quads $2,453
Cabell and Nicholas Apartments $2,203
Jamestown - Singles $2,933
Jamestown - Doubles $2,633
The COST PER SEMESTER amounts include a $45.00 Telecom Supplement and a $22.50 Technology Supplement.

2007-2008 MEAL PLAN RATES

This table only provides basic pricing information. Some restrictions may apply. For more detailed information, visit the Dining Services website.

MEAL PLAN / DESCRIPTION / COST PER SEMESTER Gold Plus : Unlimited meals, $125 in Flex Points = $1,798.00
Gold 19 : 19 meals per week, $100 in Flex Points = $1,564.00
Gold 14 : 14 meals per week, $175 in Flex Points = $1,564.00
Gold 10 : 10 meals per week, $250 in Flex Points = $1,564.00
Block 120 : 120 meals per semester, $250 in Flex Points = $1,320.00
Block 90 : 90 meals per semester, $300 in Flex Points = $1,144.00
Block 60 : 60 meals per semester, $325 in Flex Points = $946.00
The COST PER SEMESTER amounts include a $31.00 University Center Supplement.

Current

Current tuition and fee information for students at the College of William & Mary is available from the College of William & Mary Financial Operations.

Material in the Special Collections Research Center

 

Want to find out more?

To search for further material, visit the Special Collections Research Center's Search Tool List for other resources to help you find materials of interest.

Questions? Have ideas or updates for articles you'd like to see? Contact the Special Collections Research Center at spcoll@wm.edu or 757-221-3090.

A note about the contents of this site

This website contains the best available information from known sources at the time it was written. Unfortunately, many of the early original records of William & Mary were destroyed by fires, military occupation, and the normal effects of time. The information in this website is not complete, and it changes as we continue to research and uncover new sources.