William & Mary (W&M) vs Alabama A&M

William & Mary and Alabama A & M University, two esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. William & Mary, a public research university in Williamsburg, Virginia, boasts a lower acceptance rate (34%) compared to Alabama A & M University's (72%) in Normal, Alabama. While both universities offer a diverse range of undergraduate programs, William & Mary's most popular majors include Public Policy, Economics, and Government, while Alabama A & M University's strengths lie in Agriculture, Education, and Engineering. William & Mary's student body is predominantly White (62%), while Alabama A & M University's student population is primarily Black or African American (80%). With a higher graduation rate (88%) compared to Alabama A & M University's (58%), William & Mary ensures a higher proportion of its students successfully complete their studies. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more key differences and make an informed decision about your academic journey.

	Alabama A & M University	William & Mary
Overview
Location	Normal, Alabama	Williamsburg, Virginia
Campus setting	City: Midsize	Suburb: Small
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	58.0%	93.0%
Common app member	No	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	71.6%	36.5%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $30 Graduate: $45	Undergraduate: $75 Graduate: $50
SAT range	840 - 1030	1360 - 1520
ACT range	15 - 20	31 - 34
Students submitting SAT score	19.0%	51.0%
Students submitting ACT score	63.0%	19.0%
Total number of applicants	6,560	17,475
Total number of admissions given out	4,697	6,386
Admitted students who chose to enroll	1,534	1,684
Yield rate	32.7%	26.4%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Not required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $24,234 Out of state: $32,844	In state: $40,624 Out of state: $63,850
Average net price	$12,921	$18,399
Tuition	In state: $8,610 Out of state: $17,220	In state: $17,434 Out of state: $40,089
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $3,790 Meal plan: $3,960	Room/dormitory: $8,490 Meal plan: $5,246
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	84.0% Average amount $11,047	44.0% Average amount $21,700
Students receiving federal student loan	59.0% Average amount $6,164	22.0% Average amount $5,132
Students taking out private loans	0.0% Average amount $0	4.0% Average amount $27,548

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	5,107 Men 40.6% Women 59.4%	6,543 Men 41.6% Women 58.4%
Graduate students	862 Men 32.6% Women 67.4%	2,974 Men 42.7% Women 57.3%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Very Low	Low
Out-of-state students	N/A	35.2%
International students	1.4%	6.2%
Campus local/setting	City: Midsize	Suburb: Small
Dormitory capacity	2,776	4,755
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	N/A	Virginia New Jersey Maryland Pennsylvania New York

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Public Administration and Social Service Engineering Biological and Biomedical Sciences Psychology	Business Legal Profession Education Social Sciences Multidisciplinary Studies
Students to faculty ratio	18:1	12:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	28.1%	91.0%
Dropout rate	33.7%	2.1%
Transferred out	34.1%	6.3%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $58,009 Year 2: $61,303 Year 3: $70,691 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $60,145 Year 2: $52,107 Year 3: $65,291 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $52,783 Year 2: $52,107 Year 3: $62,771 Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $56,322 Year 2: $55,036 Year 3: $55,418 Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $37,568 Year 3: $52,569 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $47,070 Year 2: $43,240 Year 3: $50,627 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $33,781 Year 2: $43,798 Year 3: $46,648 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $38,753 Year 2: $39,153 Year 3: $44,347 Social Work (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $35,525 Year 2: $37,819 Year 3: $41,849 Biology, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $35,594 Year 3: $40,182	Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $71,208 Year 2: $71,202 Year 3: $87,886 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $64,972 Year 2: $66,087 Year 3: $81,526 Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $85,399 Year 2: $82,440 Year 3: $80,518 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $73,897 Year 2: $68,499 Year 3: $80,071 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,977 Year 2: $65,610 Year 3: $69,021 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $54,979 Year 2: $53,108 Year 3: $57,485 Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $43,630 Year 2: $44,117 Year 3: $51,824 Public Policy Analysis (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $37,566 Year 2: $39,153 Year 3: $50,454 Area Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $34,517 Year 2: $29,685 Year 3: $48,118 History (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $26,414 Year 2: $29,685 Year 3: $47,651

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between William & Mary and Alabama A&M University?

William & Mary is a highly selective, public research university with a strong liberal arts focus, located in Williamsburg, Virginia. It's known for its history, small class sizes, and emphasis on undergraduate education. Alabama A&M University, located in Huntsville, Alabama, is a historically black land-grant university (HBCU) with a mission focused on providing educational opportunities to a diverse student body, particularly in STEM fields, agriculture, and education. It offers a broader range of programs, including strong graduate programs, and has a significant focus on research and community engagement.
Which university is more selective in its admissions process?

William & Mary is significantly more selective than Alabama A&M University. William & Mary typically admits a smaller percentage of applicants with higher average SAT/ACT scores and GPAs. Alabama A&M University has a more accessible admissions process, aiming to provide opportunities to a wider range of students.
How do the academic programs compare between William & Mary and Alabama A&M?

William & Mary excels in liberal arts, history, government, and law. It offers a strong foundation in the humanities and social sciences. Alabama A&M University has notable programs in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), agriculture, education, and business. It also offers a wider range of vocational and technical programs.
What is the campus environment like at each university?

William & Mary offers a historic and traditional campus environment in the charming town of Williamsburg. It fosters a close-knit community with a strong emphasis on tradition and student involvement. Alabama A&M University provides a vibrant and diverse campus environment with a strong sense of community and cultural pride. It offers a range of activities and organizations, particularly those related to African American culture and heritage.
How do the costs of attending William & Mary and Alabama A&M compare?

William & Mary, as a public university, offers lower tuition rates for in-state students. However, out-of-state tuition can be comparable to or higher than some private institutions. Alabama A&M University generally has lower tuition rates than William & Mary, especially for in-state students. Both universities offer financial aid and scholarship opportunities to help students manage the cost of attendance.
What kind of student typically thrives at William & Mary?

William & Mary is a great fit for students who are academically driven, enjoy a rigorous liberal arts curriculum, and appreciate a historic and intellectually stimulating environment. Students who are independent, engaged in campus life, and seek close relationships with faculty tend to thrive there.
What kind of student typically thrives at Alabama A&M University?

Alabama A&M University is a good fit for students who are seeking a supportive and diverse learning environment, particularly those interested in STEM fields, agriculture, or education. Students who value community involvement, cultural pride, and a strong sense of belonging tend to thrive there.
What are the research opportunities like at each university?

William & Mary offers significant research opportunities for undergraduates, particularly in the sciences and humanities. Students can work closely with faculty on research projects and present their findings at conferences. Alabama A&M University has a strong focus on research, particularly in areas related to agriculture, engineering, and environmental science. It provides research opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students, often with a focus on addressing real-world problems.
How does the location of each university impact the student experience?

William & Mary's location in Williamsburg, Virginia, provides a historic and charming setting. While it's a smaller town, it offers access to historical sites, cultural events, and outdoor activities. Alabama A&M University's location in Huntsville, Alabama, provides access to a growing city with a strong aerospace and technology industry. Huntsville offers a range of cultural attractions, entertainment options, and career opportunities.
What are the career prospects like for graduates of William & Mary and Alabama A&M?

William & Mary graduates are well-prepared for careers in law, government, business, education, and the non-profit sector. The university's strong alumni network and career services provide support for job placement. Alabama A&M University graduates find employment in STEM fields, agriculture, education, business, and government. The university's career services and industry partnerships help students connect with potential employers.
Does either university have a strong focus on a particular area of study?

William & Mary is renowned for its programs in history, government, and law, offering a strong liberal arts foundation. Alabama A&M University is particularly strong in STEM fields, agriculture, and education, reflecting its land-grant mission.
How do the student bodies differ in terms of diversity?

While William & Mary is working to increase its diversity, Alabama A&M University has a more diverse student body, reflecting its history as an HBCU. Alabama A&M University has a significant African American student population, while William & Mary's student body is predominantly white.

Compare Similar Colleges

The list of suggested college comparisons provided below is generated automatically by our system, utilizing statistics gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and various online sources. If you don't find the colleges you wish to compare, please visit our comparison page. There, you can search for the specific colleges and initiate your comparison.

Alabama A&M

Alabama State University