Colgate vs. Mason

Should I go to Colgate University or George Mason University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Colgate or Mason is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Colgate University vs. George Mason University comparison
Colgate University George Mason University College 3 College 4
Colgate University George Mason University
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Overview

 Colgate Mason
Location Hamilton, NY Fairfax, VA
Setting Distant Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 3,141 39,049
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #27 #228
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website colgate.edu gmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Colgate Mason
Tuition (In State) $63,904 $9,795
Tuition (Out of State) $63,904 $35,377
Room & Board $16,106 $13,120
Avg Net Price $27,074 $18,479
Avg Grant Aid $54,647 $10,760
% Receiving Grant Aid 41% 74%

Admission

 Colgate Mason
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 21,109 20,001
Admitted 2,624 18,001
Acceptance Rate 12.4% 90%
Enrolled % 30.9% 23%
Avg High School GPA 3.77 3.68
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Exceptional Difficult
Applicant Competition Very High
ACT Range 32/34 25/31
SAT Range 1410/1530 1140/1350
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2025 Feb 1, 2025

Academics

 Colgate Mason
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (33%)
  • English and Literature (11%)
  • Biology (10%)
  • Foreign Languages (7%)
  • Philosophy and Religious Studies (7%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • English and Literature (10%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)

Outcomes

 Colgate Mason
Graduation Rate 92% 64%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $75,300 $61,900
Making Student Loan Payments 86% 73%
Median Student Loan Debt $16,125 $19,750
Median Loan Payment $166 $204

Diversity

 Colgate Mason
% Men 44% 48%
% Women 56% 52%
Racial Diversity Medium Very High
HBCU No No
% White 67% 43%
% Black 4% 11%
% Hispanic 9% 13%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 5%
% International 9% 5%
% Unknown Race 4% 5%

Students

 Colgate Mason
% In-State 19% 77%
% Out-of-State 71% 17%

Campus

 Colgate Mason
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required Yes No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • George Mason University is larger than than Colgate based on total student enrollment (39,049 students vs. 3,141 students)

Colgate vs. Mason Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colgate or Mason?

  • Colgate University is 552.4% more expensive to attend than Mason for in-state tuition ($63,904.00 vs. $9,795.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 80.6% higher at Colgate than George Mason University ($63,904.00 vs. $35,377.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at George Mason University than Colgate ($18,479 vs. $27,074)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at George Mason University are 22.8% lower than costs at Colgate University ($13,120 vs. $16,106)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at George Mason University than Colgate University (74% vs. 41%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Colgate University students is 407.9% larger than aid received George Mason University ($54,647 vs. $10,760)

Colgate vs. Mason Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Colgate or Mason? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Mason or Colgate .

  • The average SAT score at Colgate University (1374) is 221 points higher than at Mason (1153)
  • Incoming Colgate students have a 6 point higher average ACT score (32) than students at Mason (26)
  • Accepted freshman Colgate students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at Mason (3.68)
  • Mason has a higher acceptance rate (90%) than Colgate (12.4%)

Colgate vs. Mason Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Colgate or Mason? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Mason and Colgate.

  • The graduation rate at Colgate is higher than George Mason University (92% vs. 64%)
  • Graduates from Colgate University earn on average $13,400 more per year than Mason graduates after ten years. ($75,300 vs. $61,900)
  • Colgate University students graduate with a $3,625 lower median federal student loan debt than Mason graduates. ($16,125 vs. $19,750)
  • Colgate graduates are paying $38 less per month on federal student loans than Mason graduates. ($166 vs. $204)
  • More Colgate graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mason students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 73%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/