Elon vs. Mason

Deciding between Elon University 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.

Elon University
George Mason University

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Elon Elon, NC
  • Mason Fairfax, VA
  • Setting
  • Elon Small Suburban
  • Mason Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Elon 7,239
  • Mason 39,766
  • Type
  • Elon Private 4 Year
  • Mason Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Elon #140
  • Mason #243
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Elon -
  • Mason -
  • Status
  • Elon Non-profit
  • Mason Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Elon
  • Mason

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Elon $46,958
  • Mason $14,220
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Elon $46,958
  • Mason $38,688
  • Room & Board
  • Elon $14,985
  • Mason $15,725
  • Average Net Price
  • Elon $44,440
  • Mason $18,823
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Elon $17,867
  • Mason $12,852
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Elon 77%
  • Mason 71%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Elon 18,105
  • Mason 25,234
  • Admitted
  • Elon 12,012
  • Mason 22,074
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Elon 66.3%
  • Mason 87.5%
  • Enrolled
  • Elon 13.4%
  • Mason 20.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Elon 1210
  • Mason 1260
  • Typical ACT score
  • Elon 25
  • Mason 27
  • Average High School GPA
  • Elon 3.65
  • Mason 3.68
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Elon A-
  • Mason A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Elon Challenging
  • Mason Difficult
  • Applicant Competition
  • Elon Low
  • Mason
  • ACT Range
  • Elon 23/28
  • Mason 25/30
  • SAT Range
  • Elon 1130/1280
  • Mason 1160/1360
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Elon Test optional
  • Mason Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Elon Jan 10, 2027
  • Mason Feb 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Elon 11:1
  • Mason 16:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Elon
    • Business (22%)
    • Communication (19%)
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Mason
    • Business (23%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • English and Literature (10%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Elon 82%
  • Mason 64%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Elon $56,200
  • Mason $61,900
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Elon 86%
  • Mason 73%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Elon $23,250
  • Mason $19,750
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Elon $240
  • Mason $204

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Elon 40%
  • Mason 49%
  • % Women
  • Elon 60%
  • Mason 51%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Elon Low
  • Mason Very High
  • HBCU
  • Elon No
  • Mason No
  • % White
  • Elon 82%
  • Mason 43%
  • % Asian
  • Elon 2%
  • Mason 19%
  • % Black
  • Elon 6%
  • Mason 11%
  • % Hispanic
  • Elon 5%
  • Mason 13%
  • % Native American
  • Elon 0%
  • Mason 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Elon 0%
  • Mason 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Elon 2%
  • Mason 5%
  • % International
  • Elon 2%
  • Mason 5%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Elon 1%
  • Mason 5%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Elon 21%
  • Mason 77%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Elon 77%
  • Mason 14%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare Elon University in Elon, NC 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 Elon based on total student enrollment (39,766 students vs. 7,239 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Elon University is located in Elon, NC (Small Suburban setting); George Mason University is in Fairfax, VA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Elon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. George Mason University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Elon University 11:1; George Mason University 16:1.

Elon vs. Mason Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Elon 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 Elon ($18,823 vs. $44,440).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elon University are 4.7% lower than at George Mason University ($14,985 vs. $15,725).
  • Elon University is 230.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mason (about $32,738 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $14,220.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 21.4% higher at Elon than at George Mason University (about $8,270 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $38,688.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Elon University than at George Mason University (77% vs. 71%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Elon University students is 39% larger than aid received by George Mason University students ($17,867 vs. $12,852).

Elon vs. Mason Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Elon 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 Elon.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at George Mason University (1260) is 50 points higher than at Elon (1210).
  • Incoming Mason students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at Elon).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elon University 1130/1280; George Mason University 1160/1360.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elon University 23/28; George Mason University 25/30.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Elon - Test optional; Mason - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Elon Jan 10, 2027; Mason Feb 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Mason students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Elon (3.65).
  • Mason has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than Elon (66.3%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.4% at Elon vs. 20.2% at Mason.

Elon vs. Mason Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Elon 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).

  • Elon University's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than George Mason University's (64%).
  • Graduates from George Mason University earn a median of about $5,700 more per year than Elon graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $56,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, George Mason University graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Elon graduates ($19,750 vs. $23,250).
  • Among borrowers, Mason graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Elon graduates ($204 vs. $240).
  • More Elon 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.