Research.com
Mary Baldwin University logo

Mary Baldwin University

#1634 in US ranking Staunton, VA
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Programs:
4 years or more

Represent this school?

Update this profile on Research.com

Cost

Cost / year
$48,338
Tuition & fees
$35,357
Avg. aid
$23,791
Receiving aid
99%

Outcomes

Graduation rate
39%
Median salary
$43,720
1 yr after graduation

What is the accreditation of Mary Baldwin University?

Mary Baldwin University is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, commonly called SACSCOC. Institutional accreditation applies to the university as a whole and is distinct from any approval required for a particular professional program.

For students, recognized institutional accreditation is an important condition of participation in federal student aid programs. It may also matter when applying to graduate school or seeking transfer credit, but another institution decides which credits it will accept. Accreditation alone does not establish that a graduate qualifies for a professional license.

Applicants to nursing, education, or another licensed profession should verify the current program-specific accreditation and state approval for their exact degree and intended licensing state. Those requirements can differ from the university's institutional accreditation.

What are the admission requirements at Mary Baldwin University?

Mary Baldwin admits applicants through different undergraduate and graduate pathways, so requirements depend on the program. A first-time undergraduate applicant should expect to submit an application and documentation of high school completion or an equivalent credential, including a GED where applicable.

Mary Baldwin has been classified as having an open-admission policy in institutional reporting. That classification should not be taken to mean that every applicant qualifies for every major or professional program: applicants still need to meet the applicable credential, documentation, and program requirements. In an earlier entering-student group, relatively few enrolled students submitted standardized test scores - 18% submitted SAT scores and 2% submitted ACT scores. Those submission figures do not establish the test policy for a current application cycle.

Applicants should check the current instructions for their entry term to determine whether transcripts, an essay, recommendations, or test scores are required or optional. Health-professions and graduate applicants may face separate prerequisites or selection procedures. An applicant educated outside the United States should also verify the program's current English-language and transcript-evaluation requirements rather than assuming the first-year undergraduate checklist applies.

What are the application fees and waivers at Mary Baldwin University?

Applicants should check the fee displayed for their specific Mary Baldwin University application before submitting it. A single fee should not be assumed to apply across undergraduate, online, graduate, and health-professions applications.

If paying an application fee would present a hardship, ask the relevant admissions office about a waiver before submission and whether the chosen application method accepts one. Fee-waiver procedures can depend on applicant category and application platform. An application fee, if charged, is separate from an enrollment deposit, tuition, and other charges that may arise after admission.

What types of ROTC programs are available at Mary Baldwin University?

Mary Baldwin students have reported access to Army, Air Force, and Navy ROTC through cooperating host institutions rather than separate units operated by Mary Baldwin on its campus. A prospective participant should confirm the current host arrangement for the desired branch before relying on it in an enrollment plan.

Cross-enrollment can require travel, a compatible course schedule, and participation in training outside ordinary Mary Baldwin classes. ROTC scholarship eligibility is determined through the applicable military program; joining ROTC and accepting a scholarship are not the same decision. Contracting or commissioning can create a service obligation, so students should review those terms with the host unit.

Mary Baldwin's military-related educational pathways should also be distinguished from ROTC. Participation in one does not automatically constitute enrollment in an Army, Air Force, or Navy ROTC unit.

What are the requirements for transfer students at Mary Baldwin University?

Mary Baldwin generally accepts transfer applications and considers credit earned at other accredited institutions. Transfer students may enter in fall, spring, or summer, but admission to the university and acceptance of particular courses toward a degree are separate decisions.

A transfer applicant should be prepared to provide official transcripts from every college attended and to check whether high school records are also required for their circumstances. The receiving program evaluates completed coursework for credit, equivalencies, and degree applicability. A course can transfer as elective credit without satisfying a requirement in the intended major.

The university also reports accepting Advanced Placement credit, certain examination-based credit, and credit recommendations associated with prior learning. Applicants should not assume that those categories will meet a specific major requirement. Before committing, request a written evaluation showing accepted credits, remaining requirements, and any minimum number of credits that must be completed at Mary Baldwin; professional programs may apply additional restrictions.

What types of study abroad programs are available at Mary Baldwin University?

Mary Baldwin students interested in international study should plan it with their academic adviser before selecting a program. The key questions are whether the proposed coursework is approved for their degree, when it can fit into the major, and how its costs and credits will be handled.

Options may differ by program and year and can include approved study through a partner or outside provider rather than a semester operated directly by Mary Baldwin. Students in tightly sequenced majors, clinical programs, or programs with required campus activities should establish which term is feasible before making travel commitments.

Financial aid does not automatically apply to every international program or expense. Students should obtain approval for the academic plan and a program-specific aid assessment before paying a deposit.

How to Apply to Mary Baldwin University

Regular application deadline

August 25

Early Decision

No

Early Action

No

Mary Baldwin University First-Year Students

Where first-year students come from

In-state: 168
Out-of-state: 53
International: 1

Freshmen vs. transfer students

Freshmen: 223
Transfer: 90

Mary Baldwin University Admission Requirements

Percent of students submitting ACT scores

2%

Percent of students submitting SAT scores

18%

High school completions

General Educational Development (GED) required

Computer required

No

Computer purchase/lease plan is available in the institution

No

Open admission policy

Yes

Dual credit

No

Credit for life experiences

Yes

Advanced placement (AP) credits

Yes

Special learning opportunities

Orientation program

Yes

Disabilities services

Yes

Off-campus study

Yes

ROTC-Army

ROTC branch unit at a cooperating host institution

ROTC-Navy

ROTC branch unit at a cooperating host institution

ROTC-Air Force

ROTC branch unit at a cooperating host institution

Study abroad

Yes

Weekend/evening college

Yes

Student can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization

No

Preparation at another institution required

No

Approved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher

Yes

Mary Baldwin University Transfer Acceptance Rate

Generally accepts credits

Yes

Accept ACE recommendation for credit

Yes

Possible transfer

Fall, Spring, Summer

Data last updated on November 2, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.