Fairfield University vs. Mason

Deciding between Fairfield 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.

Fairfield University
George Mason University

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • Fairfield University Fairfield, CT
  • Mason Fairfax, VA
  • Setting
  • Fairfield University Large Suburban
  • Mason Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Fairfield University 6,864
  • Mason 39,766
  • Type
  • Fairfield University Private 4 Year
  • Mason Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Fairfield University #129
  • Mason #243
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Fairfield University Roman Catholic
  • Mason -
  • Status
  • Fairfield University Non-profit
  • Mason Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Fairfield University
  • Mason

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Fairfield University $58,350
  • Mason $14,220
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Fairfield University $58,350
  • Mason $38,688
  • Room & Board
  • Fairfield University $19,838
  • Mason $15,725
  • Average Net Price
  • Fairfield University $49,958
  • Mason $18,823
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Fairfield University $26,274
  • Mason $12,852
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Fairfield University 96%
  • Mason 71%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Fairfield University 18,509
  • Mason 25,234
  • Admitted
  • Fairfield University 6,162
  • Mason 22,074
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Fairfield University 33.3%
  • Mason 87.5%
  • Enrolled
  • Fairfield University 23.7%
  • Mason 20.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Fairfield University 1330
  • Mason 1260
  • Typical ACT score
  • Fairfield University 30
  • Mason 27
  • Average High School GPA
  • Fairfield University 3.67
  • Mason 3.68
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Fairfield University A-
  • Mason A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Fairfield University Very High
  • Mason Difficult
  • Applicant Competition
  • Fairfield University High
  • Mason
  • ACT Range
  • Fairfield University 29/32
  • Mason 25/30
  • SAT Range
  • Fairfield University 1260/1390
  • Mason 1160/1360
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Fairfield University Test optional
  • Mason Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Fairfield University Jan 15, 2027
  • Mason Feb 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Fairfield University 12:1
  • Mason 16:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Fairfield University
    • Business (34%)
    • Social Sciences (14%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
  • Mason
    • Business (23%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • English and Literature (10%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Fairfield University 82%
  • Mason 64%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Fairfield University $77,100
  • Mason $61,900
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Fairfield University 82%
  • Mason 73%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Fairfield University $27,000
  • Mason $19,750
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Fairfield University $279
  • Mason $204

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Fairfield University 40%
  • Mason 49%
  • % Women
  • Fairfield University 60%
  • Mason 51%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Fairfield University Very Low
  • Mason Very High
  • HBCU
  • Fairfield University No
  • Mason No
  • % White
  • Fairfield University 76%
  • Mason 43%
  • % Asian
  • Fairfield University 2%
  • Mason 19%
  • % Black
  • Fairfield University 2%
  • Mason 11%
  • % Hispanic
  • Fairfield University 7%
  • Mason 13%
  • % Native American
  • Fairfield University 0%
  • Mason 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Fairfield University 0%
  • Mason 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Fairfield University 1%
  • Mason 5%
  • % International
  • Fairfield University 2%
  • Mason 5%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Fairfield University 8%
  • Mason 5%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Fairfield University 13%
  • Mason 77%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Fairfield University 86%
  • Mason 14%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare Fairfield University in Fairfield, 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 Fairfield University based on total student enrollment (39,766 students vs. 6,864 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Fairfield University is located in Fairfield, CT (Large Suburban setting); George Mason University is in Fairfax, VA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Fairfield University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. George Mason University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Fairfield University 12:1; George Mason University 16:1.

Fairfield University vs. Mason Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fairfield University 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 Fairfield University ($18,823 vs. $49,958).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at George Mason University are 20.7% lower than at Fairfield University ($15,725 vs. $19,838).
  • Fairfield University is 310.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mason (about $44,130 more per year; $58,350.00 vs. $14,220.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 50.8% higher at Fairfield University than at George Mason University (about $19,662 more per year; $58,350.00 vs. $38,688.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fairfield University than at George Mason University (96% vs. 71%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Fairfield University students is 104.4% larger than aid received by George Mason University students ($26,274 vs. $12,852).

Fairfield University vs. Mason Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fairfield University 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 Fairfield University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Fairfield University (1330) is 70 points higher than at Mason (1260).
  • Incoming Fairfield University students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 27 at Mason).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairfield University 1260/1390; George Mason University 1160/1360.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairfield University 29/32; George Mason University 25/30.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fairfield University - Test optional; Mason - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Fairfield University Jan 15, 2027; Mason Feb 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Mason students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Fairfield University (3.67).
  • Mason has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than Fairfield University (33.3%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.7% at Fairfield University vs. 20.2% at Mason.

Fairfield University vs. Mason Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fairfield University 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).

  • Fairfield University's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than George Mason University's (64%).
  • Graduates from Fairfield University earn a median of about $15,200 more per year than Mason graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,100 vs. $61,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, George Mason University graduates have a $7,250 lower median loan debt than Fairfield University graduates ($19,750 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Mason graduates have an estimated $75 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fairfield University graduates ($204 vs. $279).
  • More Fairfield University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mason students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.