Catholic research university in Arlington, Virginia, founded 1950, serving 4,300+ students across undergraduate and graduate programs.
Marymount University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and classified by Carnegie as a doctoral/professional university. Academic programs are organized into three colleges: Business, Innovation, Leadership and Technology; Health and Education; and Science and Humanities. The university is a member of the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area, allowing students to cross-register at seventeen other member institutions. In fall 2023, the university restructured its academic offerings, phasing out eight undergraduate majors (art, English, history, philosophy, mathematics, sociology, secondary education, theology and religious studies) to align with enrollment trends and institutional priorities.
The main campus spans 21 acres in north Arlington, Virginia, featuring six residence halls, three academic buildings including the 52,000-sq-ft Caruthers Hall (sciences/health sciences), the Emerson G. Reinsch Library, and the Rose Benté Lee Center with two gyms. The Ballston Center, opened in 2017, is a LEED Gold Certified complex housing the College of Business and student residential apartments. The 4040 Center near main campus houses the physical therapy doctoral program and a MedStar clinic partnership. In 2023, Marymount opened the first Amazon Just Walk Out store on any U.S. university campus.
Marymount's athletic teams, the Saints, compete in NCAA Division III within the Atlantic East Conference, sponsoring 23 sports including baseball, basketball, lacrosse, soccer, swimming, and wrestling for both men and women. The university has over 30 clubs and student organizations focused on community service, cultural appreciation, and academic interests. In 2020, 50% of student-athletes earned Atlantic East Conference All-Academic Team honors. Students engage in leadership development through roles as Orientation Leaders and Resident Assistants.
Marymount University represents students from fifty U.S. states and seventy countries. Under President Irma Becerra (since 2018), the institution appeared for the first time in U.S. News & World Report and Forbes national rankings. In 2023, Marymount was listed among 'Best National Universities' by U.S. News for the first time, ranking #273 in the 2026 Best College Rankings. The university was designated a Hispanic-Serving Institution by the U.S. Department of Education and received 2025 Carnegie classifications as both a Research University and an Opportunity University.