Connecticut College vs. Mason

Deciding between Connecticut College and George Mason University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Connecticut College
George Mason University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Connecticut College New London, CT
  • Mason Fairfax, VA
  • Setting
  • Connecticut College Small City
  • Mason Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Connecticut College 1,990
  • Mason 39,766
  • Type
  • Connecticut College Private 4 Year
  • Mason Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Connecticut College #93
  • Mason #243
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Connecticut College -
  • Mason -
  • Status
  • Connecticut College Non-profit
  • Mason Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Connecticut College
  • Mason

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Connecticut College $67,242
  • Mason $14,220
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Connecticut College $67,242
  • Mason $38,688
  • Room & Board
  • Connecticut College $18,558
  • Mason $15,725
  • Average Net Price
  • Connecticut College $45,700
  • Mason $18,823
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Connecticut College $38,932
  • Mason $12,852
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Connecticut College 100%
  • Mason 71%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Connecticut College 7,950
  • Mason 25,234
  • Admitted
  • Connecticut College 2,945
  • Mason 22,074
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Connecticut College 37%
  • Mason 87.5%
  • Enrolled
  • Connecticut College 15.3%
  • Mason 20.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Connecticut College 1430
  • Mason 1260
  • Typical ACT score
  • Connecticut College 31
  • Mason 27
  • Average High School GPA
  • Connecticut College 3.7
  • Mason 3.68
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Connecticut College A-
  • Mason A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Connecticut College Exceptional
  • Mason Difficult
  • Applicant Competition
  • Connecticut College High
  • Mason
  • ACT Range
  • Connecticut College 30/33
  • Mason 25/30
  • SAT Range
  • Connecticut College 1350/1500
  • Mason 1160/1360
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Connecticut College Test optional
  • Mason Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Connecticut College Jan 1, 2027
  • Mason Feb 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Connecticut College 9:1
  • Mason 16:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Connecticut College
    • Social Sciences (33%)
    • Biology (15%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • Ethnic Studies (6%)
  • Mason
    • Business (23%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • English and Literature (10%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Connecticut College 84%
  • Mason 64%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Connecticut College $60,700
  • Mason $61,900
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Connecticut College 90%
  • Mason 73%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Connecticut College $23,550
  • Mason $19,750
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Connecticut College $243
  • Mason $204

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Connecticut College 39%
  • Mason 49%
  • % Women
  • Connecticut College 61%
  • Mason 51%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Connecticut College Medium
  • Mason Very High
  • HBCU
  • Connecticut College No
  • Mason No
  • % White
  • Connecticut College 71%
  • Mason 43%
  • % Asian
  • Connecticut College 4%
  • Mason 19%
  • % Black
  • Connecticut College 4%
  • Mason 11%
  • % Hispanic
  • Connecticut College 9%
  • Mason 13%
  • % Native American
  • Connecticut College 0%
  • Mason 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Connecticut College 0%
  • Mason 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Connecticut College 3%
  • Mason 5%
  • % International
  • Connecticut College 6%
  • Mason 5%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Connecticut College 3%
  • Mason 5%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Connecticut College 13%
  • Mason 77%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Connecticut College 82%
  • Mason 14%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Connecticut College Yes
  • Mason Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Connecticut College Yes
  • Mason No
  • Meal Plan
  • Connecticut College Yes
  • Mason Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Connecticut College No
  • Mason No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Connecticut College Yes
  • Mason Yes

Comparable Facts

Compare Connecticut College in New London, CT 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 Connecticut College based on total student enrollment (39,766 students vs. 1,990 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Connecticut College is located in New London, CT (Small City setting); George Mason University is in Fairfax, VA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Connecticut College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. George Mason University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Connecticut College 9:1; George Mason University 16:1.

Connecticut College vs. Mason Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Connecticut College 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 Connecticut College ($18,823 vs. $45,700).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at George Mason University are 15.3% lower than at Connecticut College ($15,725 vs. $18,558).
  • Connecticut College is 372.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mason (about $53,022 more per year; $67,242.00 vs. $14,220.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 73.8% higher at Connecticut College than at George Mason University (about $28,554 more per year; $67,242.00 vs. $38,688.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Connecticut College than at George Mason University (100% vs. 71%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Connecticut College students is 202.9% larger than aid received by George Mason University students ($38,932 vs. $12,852).

Connecticut College vs. Mason Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Connecticut College 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 Connecticut College.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Connecticut College (1430) is 170 points higher than at Mason (1260).
  • Incoming Connecticut College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 27 at Mason).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Connecticut College 1350/1500; George Mason University 1160/1360.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Connecticut College 30/33; George Mason University 25/30.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Connecticut College - Test optional; Mason - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Connecticut College Jan 1, 2027; Mason Feb 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Connecticut College students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Mason (3.68).
  • Mason has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than Connecticut College (37%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.3% at Connecticut College vs. 20.2% at Mason.

Connecticut College vs. Mason Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Connecticut College 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).

  • Connecticut College's six-year graduation rate (84%) is higher than George Mason University's (64%).
  • Graduates from George Mason University earn a median of about $1,200 more per year than Connecticut College graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $60,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, George Mason University graduates have a $3,800 lower median loan debt than Connecticut College graduates ($19,750 vs. $23,550).
  • Among borrowers, Mason graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Connecticut College graduates ($204 vs. $243).
  • More Connecticut College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mason students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 73%)

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.