
Courtesy of Marymount University
Marymount University is a private Catholic university in Arlington, Virginia, founded in 1950 by the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary. It opened as a women's college and later expanded its degree offerings, became coeducational, and adopted university status in 1993.
That history remains relevant to applicants: Marymount combines undergraduate study with graduate and professional programs, while its Catholic identity informs its stated emphasis on ethics and service. It is a distinct institution from other colleges and universities named Marymount.
Marymount organizes its academic programs across the College of Business, Innovation, Leadership, and Technology; the College of Health and Education; and the College of Sciences and Humanities. It offers bachelor's degrees as well as graduate and professional credentials.
Undergraduates can explore fields including business, computer science, nursing, education, psychology, biology, communication, and design. Program structure matters as much as a major's name: nursing and other professionally oriented paths may have prerequisites, clinical placements, or separate progression standards. Applicants should compare the current catalog requirements for their intended degree, particularly if they hope to transfer credits or change majors.
Reported enrollment corresponds to a student-to-faculty ratio of about 14 to 1. That institution-wide measure does not establish the size of a particular lecture, laboratory, or clinical group.
Marymount University's main campus is in Arlington, Virginia, with additional university facilities in Arlington, including the Ballston area. The setting places students in the Washington, DC, region rather than in a self-contained college town.
Ballston has a Metrorail station, and students should check university transportation information when planning travel between facilities. The regional location can make internships and off-campus work accessible, but travel time and cost depend on where a student lives and whether classes meet at more than one site. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is a nearby option for students traveling by air.
Marymount describes its mission in terms of educating students for intellectual development, professional preparation, ethical action, and service. Its identity is Catholic and rooted in the tradition of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary.
Those are the university's stated priorities, not a measure of every student's experience. Prospective students who want to understand how they affect daily study can examine the curriculum, service opportunities, and campus ministry offerings alongside their intended major.
Name of the institution
Marymount UniversityLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PrivateSetting type
City: MidsizeInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or aboveInstitution size category
1,000 - 4,999Religious affiliation
Catholic (Roman Catholic Church)School type
UniversityMain student body
CoeducationalCalendar system
SemestersFoundation year
1950Marymount University is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.
Certificate of less than 1 year
Bachelor's degree
Postbaccalaureate certificate
Master's degree
Post-master's certificate
Doctor's degree - research/scholarship
Doctor's degree - professional practiceData 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.