City College of New York vs. Mason

Comparable Facts

Compare CUNY City College in New York, NY 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 City College of New York based on total student enrollment (39,766 students vs. 15,544 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• CUNY City College is located in New York, NY (Large City setting); George Mason University is in Fairfax, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• CUNY City College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. George Mason University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: CUNY City College 15:1; George Mason University 16:1.

City College of New York vs. Mason Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, City College of New York 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 CUNY City College than Mason ($4,664 vs. $18,823).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at George Mason University are 16.5% lower than at CUNY City College ($15,725 vs. $18,840).
• George Mason University is 93.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than City College of New York (about $6,880 more per year; $14,220.00 vs. $7,340.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 153% higher at Mason than at CUNY City College (about $23,398 more per year; $38,688.00 vs. $15,290.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at CUNY City College than at George Mason University (88% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by George Mason University students is 31.6% larger than aid received by CUNY City College students ($12,852 vs. $9,763).

City College of New York vs. Mason Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, City College of New York 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 City College of New York.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at George Mason University (1260) is 10 points higher than at City College of New York (1250).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: CUNY City College 1070/1430; George Mason University 1160/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsGeorge Mason University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: City College of New York - Test optional; Mason - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: City College of New York Feb 1, 2027; Mason Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mason students have a 0.48 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at City College of New York (3.2).
• Mason has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than City College of New York (60%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at City College of New York vs. 20.2% at Mason.

City College of New York vs. Mason Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for City College of New York 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 CUNY City College's (40%).
• Graduates from George Mason University earn a median of about $12,100 more per year than City College of New York graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $49,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, CUNY City College graduates have a $8,350 lower median loan debt than Mason graduates ($11,400 vs. $19,750).
• Among borrowers, City College of New York graduates have an estimated $87 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mason graduates ($117 vs. $204).
• More Mason graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former City College of New York students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 52%)

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.