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Mary Baldwin University

MBU

Staunton, Virginia 24401

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Tight-knitUrban

Known for business — close-knit campus

Mary Baldwin University is a private institution in Staunton with particular strength in business and health sciences.

A small campus of 1.2K undergraduates with a 14:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

56% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $44,427 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $17,833.

Established
1842
Motto
Non pro tempore sed aeternitate
Mascot
Baldwin the Fighting Squirrel and Gladys the Squirrel
Type
Private university
Division
Division III

Plan Your Visit

Acceptance
SAT Avg
1,188Students
14:1Student:Faculty
56%Grad Rate
$44,427Earnings 10yr
$17,833Net Price

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$33,157
Room & Board$10,630
Books & Supplies$900
Total Cost of Attendance$44,435
Average Net Price$17,833
Median Debt at Graduation$26,586
Monthly Payment (10yr)$282

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$15,996
$30–48K$14,762
$48–75K$16,899
$75–110K$21,736
$110K+$23,106

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

34.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

1.6%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$12,250

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

8

Peer Average

13

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

2

Burglary

0

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

1

Motor Vehicle Theft

1

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

2

Drug Arrests

2

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (51)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

61%

Below Average

Student Body

Undergrads
1,188
Gender Split
76% / 24%
Women / Men
First Generation
40%
Pell Grant Recipients
48%

Race & Ethnicity

White 50%
Black 26%
Hispanic 8%
Asian 2%
Two+ 6%
Int'l 1%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate55.7%
Freshman Retention61.2%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$39,075
10 Years$44,427

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Fighting Squirrels

Colleges conference

History & Fun Facts

  • History Located in Staunton, Virginia within Augusta County, the university was founded as the "Augusta Female Seminary" in 1842 by Rufus William Bailey.
  • In 1863, Baldwin was named principal and headed the school through the Civil War, although most schools in the area had closed due to the war and economic hardship.
  • In 1895, the school was renamed "Mary Baldwin Seminary" in honor of Baldwin.
  • In 1923, the name changed to "Mary Baldwin College" when the school became a four-year institution.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

111High

Estimated from VA state average + city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 30"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Washingtonpop. 690K
122 mi(211 min)
Baltimorepop. 570K
154 mi(267 min)
Pittsburghpop. 300K
166 mi(288 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

IAD Washington Dulles103 mi
RIC Richmond105 mi
BWI Baltimore-Washington148 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA512 mi · ~14h 47m drive
New York, NY323 mi · ~9h 20m drive
Hartford, CT421 mi · ~12h 10m drive
Providence, RI478 mi · ~13h 49m drive
Albany, NY418 mi · ~12h 5m drive
Syracuse, NY371 mi · ~10h 43m drive
Rochester, NY354 mi · ~10h 14m drive
Buffalo, NY327 mi · ~9h 27m drive
Philadelphia, PA244 mi · ~7h 3m drive
Pittsburgh, PA166 mi · ~4h 48m drive
Harrisburg, PA187 mi · ~5h 24m drive
Newark, NJ316 mi · ~9h 8m drive
Washington, DC122 mi · ~3h 31m drive
Baltimore, MD154 mi · ~4h 27m drive
Atlanta, GA425 mi · ~12h 17m drive
Charlotte, NC225 mi · ~6h 30m drive
Raleigh, NC166 mi · ~4h 48m drive
Miami, FL859 mi · ~24h 49m drive
Orlando, FL678 mi · ~19h 35m drive
Tampa, FL732 mi · ~21h 9m drive
Nashville, TN446 mi · ~12h 53m drive
New Orleans, LA846 mi · ~24h 26m drive
Richmond, VA99 mi · ~2h 52m drive
Chicago, IL521 mi · ~15h 3m drive
Detroit, MI357 mi · ~10h 19m drive
Minneapolis, MN870 mi · ~25h 8m drive
St. Louis, MO603 mi · ~17h 25m drive
Kansas City, MO839 mi · ~24h 14m drive
Indianapolis, IN397 mi · ~11h 28m drive
Columbus, OH245 mi · ~7h 5m drive
Cleveland, OH270 mi · ~7h 48m drive
Milwaukee, WI573 mi · ~16h 33m drive
Dallas, TX1062 mi · ~30h 41m drive
Houston, TX1097 mi · ~31h 41m drive
Austin, TX1195 mi · ~34h 31m drive
San Antonio, TX1264 mi · ~36h 31m drive
Los Angeles, CA2189 mi · ~63h 14m drive
San Francisco, CA2340 mi · ~67h 36m drive
San Diego, CA2162 mi · ~62h 27m drive
Seattle, WA2253 mi · ~65h 5m drive
Portland, OR2273 mi · ~65h 40m drive
Denver, CO1392 mi · ~40h 13m drive
Phoenix, AZ1868 mi · ~53h 58m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1750 mi · ~50h 33m drive
Honolulu, HI4731 mi · ~136h 40m drive
Mid-Atlantic / Central (moderate winters, warm summers)

Deadline Calendar

Mary Baldwin University Application Checklist

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