William & Mary named a Forbes ‘New Ivy’ ahead of the fourth conference in its VA250 series

WILLIAMSBURG – The College of William & Mary has been named one of Forbes Magazine’s “New Ivies,” a recognition that illuminates the university’s rising academic and professional reputation as it prepares for a major event tied to America’s upcoming 250th anniversary.

In late March, Forbes included William & Mary among 20 U.S. universities on its second annual “New Ivies” list. According to the magazine, these institutions are producing more highly sought-after graduates than the Ancient Eight, in some cases.

“For the second year, Forbes New Ivies has selected 10 outstanding public universities and 10 top private schools that are attracting the best and the brightest, and graduating students that are outpacing most Ivy Leaguers in the eyes of employers,” Forbes staff writer Emma Whitford wrote.

In William & Mary’s case, 94% of the College’s graduates are employed or pursuing further education within six months.

Though new to this list, W&M has been considered a “Public Ivy” since 1985 – a term coined by Richard Moll, a former Yale Admissions officer.

The College earned this designation 40 years ago based on its ability to “provide an Ivy League collegiate experience at a public school price,” according to Moll, and the title continues to be relevant today.

Forbes selected its New Ivies by first gathering the names of all four-year public and private, not-for-profit colleges that met the magazine’s criteria on three factors: size, selectivity and standardized test score average. 

The traditional Ivy League schools, “Ivy plus” colleges like Stanford and Duke and the University of California system – which no longer considers test scores in admission – were excluded.

Qualifying schools were then put on a list and included in a survey sent to employers who subscribe to Forbes’ C-suite newsletters.

More than 380 subscribers answered, allowing Forbes to narrow down their list to 20 colleges based on the employers’ hiring preferences.

Regarding W&M’s admission statistics, the school’s undergraduate class is comprised of 7,539 students.

Only 36% of applications were accepted for the Class of 2029. Applicants’ test scores averaged 1450 on the SAT and 33 on the ACT.

However, what made the school stand out to Forbes was its emphasis on long-term value to students. Erin Jay, Senior Associate Director of University News, underscored this point – W&M focuses on more than just rankings and test scores for its students.

“While rankings often alter methodologies and increasingly focus on short-term, transitional metrics, William & Mary takes the long view when it comes to its educational mission, guided by its core values and strategic goals,” Jay said.

Suzanne Clavet, Director of Media Relations at W&M, expressed her pride in the College’s accolade.

“To be nationally recognized as a ‘New Ivy’ by Forbes is confirmation of the incredible education William & Mary students receive,” Clavet told The Triangle. “The university brings together the global opportunities of a public research university with the personal education of a liberal arts and sciences institution.”

The University of Virginia was also named a New Ivy this year, adding to the Commonwealth’s recognition ahead of the 250th anniversary of American Independence in 2026.

In anticipation of VA250, W&M and the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation have partnered with the Omohundro Institute of Early American History & Culture to host a five-year academic conference series titled, “For 2026.” 

The series, held on-campus and at various CW venues, covers a different theme from the American Revolution and is held on a weekend in October each year through 2026. The first of these conferences, “For 2026: Revolutionary Legacies,” took place in 2022.

This year’s conference, “For 2026: Wartime Transformations,” will take place October 23-25, 2025. 

As W&M once again garners national recognition with the New Ivy list, College President Katherine A. Rowe emphasizes that the school has always played a pivotal role in American higher education and the nation’s success.

“William & Mary was already over 80 years old by the time of the revolution and played a major role in the intellectual foment that catalyzed it,” Rowe said. “Since 1693, we have not just educated Americans but also have shaped America — a tradition we are proud to continue today.”

For more information on the For 2026 conference series, visit the Omohundro Institute website.