EMU vs. Mason

Should I go to Eastern Mennonite University or George Mason University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if EMU 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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Eastern Mennonite University vs. George Mason University comparison
Eastern Mennonite University George Mason University College 3 College 4
Eastern Mennonite University George Mason University
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Overview

 EMU Mason
Location Harrisonburg, VA Fairfax, VA
Setting Small City Large Suburban
Enrollment 1,334 39,049
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #215 #228
Religious Affiliation Mennonite Church - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website emu.edu gmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 EMU Mason
Tuition (In State) $40,590 $9,795
Tuition (Out of State) $40,590 $35,377
Room & Board $12,240 $13,120
Avg Net Price $23,783 $18,479
Avg Grant Aid $30,460 $10,760
% Receiving Grant Aid 96% 74%

Admission

 EMU Mason
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,144 20,001
Admitted 1,138 18,001
Acceptance Rate 99.5% 90%
Enrolled % 17.8% 23%
Avg High School GPA 3.7 3.68
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Elite Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 25/34 25/31
SAT Range 1040/1590 1140/1350
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Feb 1, 2025

Academics

 EMU Mason
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (30%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)
  • General Studies (5%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • English and Literature (10%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)

Outcomes

 EMU Mason
Graduation Rate 66% 64%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $43,900 $61,900
Making Student Loan Payments 80% 73%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,450 $19,750
Median Loan Payment $242 $204

Diversity

 EMU Mason
% Men 34% 48%
% Women 66% 52%
Racial Diversity Low Very High
HBCU No No
% White 71% 43%
% Black 10% 11%
% Hispanic 8% 13%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 5%
% International 3% 5%
% Unknown Race 2% 5%

Students

 EMU Mason
% In-State 68% 77%
% Out-of-State 27% 17%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • George Mason University is larger than than EMU based on total student enrollment (39,049 students vs. 1,334 students)

EMU vs. Mason Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, EMU or Mason?

  • Eastern Mennonite University is 314.4% more expensive to attend than Mason for in-state tuition ($40,590.00 vs. $9,795.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 14.7% higher at EMU than George Mason University ($40,590.00 vs. $35,377.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at George Mason University than EMU ($18,479 vs. $23,783)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Eastern Mennonite University are 7.2% lower than costs at George Mason University ($12,240 vs. $13,120)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Eastern Mennonite University than George Mason University (96% vs. 74%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Eastern Mennonite University students is 183.1% larger than aid received George Mason University ($30,460 vs. $10,760)

EMU vs. Mason Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at George Mason University (1153) is 144 points higher than at EMU (1009)
  • Incoming Mason students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at EMU (22)
  • Accepted freshman EMU students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Mason (3.68)
  • EMU has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) than Mason (90%)

EMU vs. Mason Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, EMU 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 EMU.

  • The graduation rate at EMU is higher than George Mason University (66% vs. 64%)
  • Graduates from George Mason University earn on average $18,000 more per year than EMU graduates after ten years. ($61,900 vs. $43,900)
  • George Mason University students graduate with a $3,700 lower median federal student loan debt than EMU graduates. ($19,750 vs. $23,450)
  • Mason graduates are paying $38 less per month on federal student loans than EMU graduates. ($204 vs. $242)
  • More EMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mason students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 73%)

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