Cleveland Institute of Art vs. Mason

Comparable Facts

Compare Cleveland Institute of Art in Cleveland, OH with George Mason University in Fairfax, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

George Mason University is larger than Cleveland Institute of Art based on total student enrollment (39,766 students vs. 545 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cleveland Institute of Art is located in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting); George Mason University is in Fairfax, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• Cleveland Institute of Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. George Mason University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cleveland Institute of Art 9:1; George Mason University 16:1.

Cleveland Institute of Art vs. Mason Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cleveland Institute of Art or Mason? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at George Mason University than Cleveland Institute of Art ($18,823 vs. $30,837).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cleveland Institute of Art are 18.3% lower than at George Mason University ($12,850 vs. $15,725).
• Cleveland Institute of Art is 247.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mason (about $35,180 more per year; $49,400.00 vs. $14,220.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.7% higher at Cleveland Institute of Art than at George Mason University (about $10,712 more per year; $49,400.00 vs. $38,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cleveland Institute of Art than at George Mason University (100% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cleveland Institute of Art students is 163.4% larger than aid received by George Mason University students ($33,857 vs. $12,852).

Cleveland Institute of Art vs. Mason Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cleveland Institute of Art or Mason? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Mason and Cleveland Institute of Art.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at George Mason University (1260) is 130 points higher than at Cleveland Institute of Art (1130).
• Incoming Mason students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 26 at Cleveland Institute of Art).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cleveland Institute of Art 980/1280; George Mason University 1160/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cleveland Institute of Art 23/29; George Mason University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cleveland Institute of Art - Test optional; Mason - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mason Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mason students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Cleveland Institute of Art (3.48).
• Mason has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than Cleveland Institute of Art (61.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.8% at Cleveland Institute of Art vs. 20.2% at Mason.

Cleveland Institute of Art vs. Mason Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cleveland Institute of Art and Mason? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• George Mason University's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than Cleveland Institute of Art's (58%).
• Graduates from George Mason University earn a median of about $22,500 more per year than Cleveland Institute of Art graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $39,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, George Mason University graduates have a $9,250 lower median loan debt than Cleveland Institute of Art graduates ($19,750 vs. $29,000).
• Among borrowers, Mason graduates have an estimated $95 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cleveland Institute of Art graduates ($204 vs. $299).
• More Mason graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cleveland Institute of Art students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 62%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.