Mary Baldwin University (MBU)

Black Pinpoint Undergraduate Admissions 101 E Frederick Street | Staunton, VA | 24401

01. Overview

What the school is known for:

Mary Baldwin University is a small and "beautiful" liberal arts school with "rolling hills and Greek revival buildings" in the Shenandoah Valley. Students "are able, even required, to pursue all areas of study available." But not all areas of study are equal in students’ eyes. "If you go to Mary Baldwin, the best education is going to be in psychology or sociology." Math, on the other hand, is "terrible." As a former all-women’s college, it’s hardly surprising that "Mary Baldwin is all about women’s empowerment and leadership." And they start that empowerment especially early: The PEG [Program for the Exceptionally Gifted] allows students to skip as many as four years of high school and enroll directly in college. While some traditional students find the program innovative, many of them "question the validity of taking girls out of high school to place them in the harsh world of college academics." The students of Mary Baldwin can count on "individual attention" from professors and administrators alike. "It is not uncommon to be given your professor's home or cell phone numbers, and they really do want you to call if you need to." But professors are not pushovers. "Teachers are understanding, yet they push us to succeed no matter what program we are apart of, ethnicity, religion, or age." Additionally, "Everyone knows the President by face and name and are constantly invited to her house for a variety of events."

02. Rankings

Rankings and Lists

03. Admissions & Acceptance Rate

Applicants Icon
Applicants
6,371
Acceptance Icon
Acceptance Rate
100%
GPA Icon
Average HS GPA
3.35

SAT & ACT Test Scores

SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing

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25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)
490 - 590

SAT Math

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25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)
460 - 540

ACT Composite Scores

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25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)
18 - 24

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Testing Policies

Standardized testing policy for
use in admission:
Requires applicants to submit either the SAT or ACT

Other Admission Factors Academic

Admission Factors Icon
Rigor of Secondary School Record
Admission Factors Icon
Academic GPA

Selectivity

4. Cost, Tuition, Expenses

Expenses per Academic Year

Tuition
$30,690
Average Cost for Books and Supplies
$900
Tuition / Fees Vary by Year of Study
No
Transportation for Commuters
$1,130
On-Campus Room and Board
9410
Approximate Expenses per year
$42,130

Students Also View These Schools

05. Academics

Student Faculty Icon
Student/Faculty
10 : 1
Acceptance Icon
Total Faculty
221
Terminal Degree Icon
Terminal Degree
137

Gender

Women
145
Men
76
Minority
23
International
0

Class/Lab sizes

Most frequent class size
10-19
Most frequent lab/sub section size
10-19

Rating

Graduation Rates

Graduate in 4 years
43%
Graduate in 5 years
45%
Graduate in 6 years
47%

University Degrees

Bachelor's
Certificate
Doctoral/Professional
Master's
Post-Bachelor's certificate

06. Student Body

What students say:

The students of Mary Baldwin are "focused." "We have a lot of strong leadership types," and each one "has a genuine interest in her education and a desire for success in her studies and eventual career." "The typical student has lots of friends and is very studious, keeps a well-balanced schedule, but knows how to have fun." Many students are "very liberal and feminist," yet at the same time "very compassionate and open-minded." The school is "a very diverse school in terms of gender identity, sexual preference, religious preference, race, and personal expression."

Gender

86% female14% male

Out of State

27% are out
of state
73% are
in-state

Students

72% are
full time
28% are
part time

Student Body Profile

Total Undergraduate Enrollment
1,327
Foreign Countries Represented
6

Student Body Demographics

American Indian or Alaskan Native
0.97%
Asian
1.37%
Black
24.30%
Hispanic
9.09%
Caucasian
53.34%
Unknown
5.39%
International
0.72%

07. Mental Health

08. Campus Life

What students say:

Mary Baldwin is located in Staunton, Virginia, "the quintessential friendly Southern neighborly town." "Downtown is cozy and there is definitely a sense of belonging for Mary Baldwin [students] within the community." "There are two theaters within walking distance, so many people go there." But mostly, just "walking around downtown and spending time at the park, Gypsy Hill" is a "popular" way to pass time. "Traveling to Harrisonburg and Charlottesville to the big malls is popular as well." "Life at Mary Baldwin is rather calm and relaxed," one student says. "If you want a huge party scene, Baldwin is probably not what you’re looking for. However, with five colleges and universities within 45 minutes, it’s certainly not hard to find a big school atmosphere." Students do wish that the school would keep the dining hall open a little later. "Dinner is over at 6:30 in our main eatery," so if you "lose track of time" while studying, you’ll "have to go out to eat instead of eating on campus." Also, "The physical fitness center could use upgrading." It’s "in desperate need of a new track," and more than a few women would like them to "build a swimming pool."

Students
50%
First-Year Students
93%
Campus Environment
Suburban
Help finding off-campus housing
No

9. Campus Visits

Campus Visits Contact

Location Icon
PO Box 1500 Staunton, VA 24402
Phone icon
540-887-7019

Campus Tours

Campus Visiting Center

by appointment

Calendar icon
by appointment
Phone icon
540-887-7019

Campus Tours

Appointment Required:
Yes
Dates:
Year-round
Times:
Varies
Average Length:
1 hour

Visits

CLASS VISITS

Dates/Times Available
Academic Year
Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office

FACULTY AND COACH VISITS

Dates/Times Available
Academic Year
Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office
Advance Notice
1 week

Contact Email Address for Visit

Individual coach email addresses available on staff directory page located below;

Globe Iconadmit@marybaldwin.edu

On Campus Interview

Campus Interviews:
Yes
Information Sessions:
Available
Times:
During and after tours

Overnight Dorm Stays

Overnight Dorm Stays
Available
Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office
Limitations
only one night

Campus Tours


TYPES OF TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLE TO CAMPUS

MBU is accessible by transportation services from airports in Weyers Cave (Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport, 15 miles away); Charlottesville (Charlottesville Albemarle Airport, 45 miles away); and Roanoke (Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport, 85 miles away). The Amtrak Station is located five blocks away from the main campus.


DRIVING INSTRUCTIONS TO CAMPUS

Coming from the North:Take I-81 south to exit 225. From the exit ramp, turn right onto Rt. 262W. At the stoplight, turn left onto Rt. 11 south. Bear right at the first fork (Rt. 11 Business). Bear left at the next fork (N. Coalter St.). Pass the Mary Baldwin soccer field and main entrance. Turn right on Frederick St. Follow signs to admissions parking on the right. Coming from the East: Take I-64 west to exit 87. Stay in the right lane of I-81 for 1/2 mile. Take exit 222, merge right onto 250 west. Go two miles, merge right at the fork in the road. Get into the center lane to go under the overpass. Proceed up the hill and you will see the college. Turn left onto Frederick St. Follow signs to admissions parking on the right. Coming from the South: Take I-81 north to exit 222. Follow the directions from the third step under “Coming from the East.” Coming from the West: Access from I-64 or I-81.

LOCAL ACCOMMODATIONS

Comfort Inn, 1302 Richmond Ave., Staunton, VA 24401, 877-424-6423 ; Days Inn, 273D Bells Lane, Staunton, VA 24401, 800-329-7466 ; Econo Lodge, 1031 Richmond Ave., Staunton, VA 24401, 540-885-5158 ; Howard Johnson Express Inn, 268 N. Central Ave., Staunton, VA 24401, 800-446-4656 ; Quality Inn and Suites, 200 Frontier Dr., Staunton, VA 24401, 540-887-0200 ; Stonewall Jackson Hotel and Conference Center, 24 South Market St., Staunton, VA 24401, 866-880-0024 ; Best Western, 92 Rowe Rd., Staunton, VA 24401, 800-752-9471 ; Hampton Inn by Hilton, 40 Payne Lane, Staunton, VA 24401, 800-HAMPTON ; Holiday Inn Staunton, 152 Fairway Lane, Staunton, VA 24401, 800-465-4329 ; Red Roof Inn, 42 Sangers Ln., Staunton, VA 24401, 540-885-3117 ; Sleep Inn, 222 Jefferson Hwy., Staunton, VA 24401, 800-488-8750


10. Sports & Athletics

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Athletic Division III

Women's Sports (Squirrels)

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Basketball
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Cross Country
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Soccer
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Softball
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Tennis
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Track Field Outdoor
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Volleyball

11. Housing & Activities

Hosting Features

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Dorms Coed
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Dorms Female
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International Student
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Other

Special Needs Admissions

Director
Jenny Joczik
College Entrance Tests Required
No
Interview Required
No

Student Activities

Registered Student Organizations
48
Number of Honor Societies
18
Number of Social Sororities
0
Number of Religious Organizations
4
Join a fraternity
0%
Join a sorority
0%

12. Student Services

Military

Army ROTC Offered on-campus, at cooperating institutions: Virginia Military Institute
Navy ROTC Offered on-campus, at cooperating institutions: Virginia Military Institute
Air Force ROTC Offered on-campus, at cooperating institutions: Virginia Military Institute

CAMPUS SECURITY REPORT

The Jeanne Clery Act requires colleges and universities to disclose their security policies, keep a public crime log, publish an annual crime report and provide timely warnings to students and campus employees about a crime posing an immediate or ongoing threat to students and campus employees.

Please visit The Princeton Review's page on campus safety for additional resources:

Visit Page
Warning Icon

The Princeton Review publishes links directly to each school's Campus Security Reports where available. Applicants can also access all school-specific campus safety information using the Campus Safety and Security Data Analysis Cutting Tool provided by the Office of Postsecondary Education of the U.S. Department of Education: https://ope.ed.gov/campussafety/#/

Other Information

Campus-wide Internet Network
Checkmark icon
Fee for Network Use
X Mark icon
Partnerships with Technology Companies
X Mark icon
Personal computer included in tuition for each student
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Discounts Available with Hardware Vendors
X Mark icon

13. Financial Aid

Dates

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Notification DateMar 15

Required Forms

FAFSA
State Aid

Financial Aid Statistics

Average Freshman Total Need-Based Gift Aid
$27,994
Average Undergraduate Total Need-Based Gift Aid
$23,495
Average Need-Based Loan
$4,069
Undergraduates who have borrowed through any loan program
86%
Average amount of loan debt per graduate
$37,097
Average amount of each freshman scholarship/grant package
$24,169
Financial aid provided to international students
Yes

Available Aid

Financial Aid Methodology
Scholarships and Grants

Need-Based Aid

01 - Need-Based College/University Scholarship or Grant Aid from Institutional Funds
02 - Need-Based Federal Pell
03 - Need-Based Private Scholarships
04 - Need-Based SEOG
05 - Need-Based State Scholarships

Federal Direct Student Loan Programs

01 - Direct PLUS Loans
02 - Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans
03 - Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans

Federal Family Education Loan Programs (FFEL):

01 - Federal Perkins Loans
02 - State Loans
Is Institutional Employment Available (other than Federal Work Study)
Yes

14. Career Services & Jobs

Graduation Rates

Graduate in 4 years
43%
Graduate in 5 years
45%
Graduate in 6 years
47%

Career Services

01 - Alumni Services
02 - Classes
03 - Interest Inventory
04 - Internships
05 - On Campus Interviews

Opportunities at School

01 - Experiential
02 - Internship

15. Majors

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01 BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES.

  • Biochemistry.
  • Biology/Biological Sciences, General.
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02 BUSINESS, MANAGEMENT, MARKETING, AND RELATED SUPPORT SERVICES.

  • Business Administration and Management, General.
  • Business/Managerial Economics.
  • Marketing/Marketing Management, General.
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03 ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS.

  • English Language and Literature, General.
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04 HEALTH PROFESSIONS AND RELATED PROGRAMS.

  • Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology/Technologist.
  • Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions.
  • Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General.
  • Health/Health Care Administration/Management.
  • Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse.
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05 HISTORY.

  • History, General.
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06 LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES, GENERAL STUDIES AND HUMANITIES.

  • Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies.
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07 MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS.

  • Applied Mathematics, General.
  • Mathematics, General.
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08 PHYSICAL SCIENCES.

  • Chemistry, General.
  • Physics, General.
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09 PSYCHOLOGY.

  • Psychology, General.
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11 SOCIAL SCIENCES.

  • Criminology.
  • Economics, General.
  • International Relations and Affairs.
  • Political Science and Government, General.
  • Sociology.
Down Arrow Icon

12 VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS.

  • Fine and Studio Arts Management.
  • Fine/Studio Arts, General.
  • Visual and Performing Arts, General.

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