Founded in 1842, Mary Baldwin University (MBU) is a small, private institution enrolling nearly 2,000 students across undergraduate and graduate programs on its campuses in Staunton and Fishersville, Virginia, and through a robust array of online offerings.
Its close-knit learning environment fosters strong connections among students, faculty, and staff, creating a community where every student feels supported from day one.
Faculty mentors, academic advisors, career coaches, and tutors work alongside students to help them identify goals, connect with real-world experiences, and prepare for careers and life after college. The university believes mentorship, career direction, and skill-building should begin at the start of the college journey, not the end.
MBU offers a wide range of in-person and online degree programs that blend the enduring strengths of a liberal arts education with the skills and credentials today’s job market demands.
The university is organized into three academic colleges — Gold College of Arts and Sciences, Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences, and Palmer College of Professional Studies — while the Mary Baldwin Signature living and learning experience brings undergraduate residential students together in academic Neighborhoods designed to spark collaboration and purpose-driven learning.
MBU offers graduate programs in fields such as education, nursing and health sciences, Shakespeare and performance, and business, many with accelerated pathways from baccalaureate to graduate study.
Whether seeking a traditional residential experience, a flexible online program, or an impactful route to an advanced degree, MBU is committed to helping students achieve their goals and thrive in today’s evolving world.