Franciscan vs. Mason

Comparable Facts

Compare Franciscan University of Steubenville in Steubenville, OH 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 Franciscan based on total student enrollment (39,766 students vs. 3,976 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Franciscan University of Steubenville is located in Steubenville, OH (Small City setting); George Mason University is in Fairfax, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• Franciscan University of Steubenville is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. George Mason University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Franciscan University of Steubenville 17:1; George Mason University 16:1.

Franciscan vs. Mason Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Franciscan 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 Franciscan ($18,823 vs. $23,086).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Franciscan University of Steubenville are 36.4% lower than at George Mason University ($10,000 vs. $15,725).
• Franciscan University of Steubenville is 139.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mason (about $19,880 more per year; $34,100.00 vs. $14,220.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.5% higher at Mason than at Franciscan University of Steubenville (about $4,588 more per year; $38,688.00 vs. $34,100.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Franciscan University of Steubenville than at George Mason University (99% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Franciscan University of Steubenville students is 67.5% larger than aid received by George Mason University students ($21,522 vs. $12,852).

Franciscan vs. Mason Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Franciscan 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 Franciscan.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at George Mason University (1260) is 30 points higher than at Franciscan (1230).
• Incoming Mason students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at Franciscan).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Franciscan University of Steubenville 1110/1350; George Mason University 1160/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Franciscan University of Steubenville 22/29; George Mason University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Franciscan - Test optional; Mason - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mason Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Franciscan students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.78) than students at Mason (3.68).
• Mason has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than Franciscan (58.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 41.7% at Franciscan vs. 20.2% at Mason.

Franciscan vs. Mason Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Franciscan 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).

• Franciscan University of Steubenville's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than George Mason University's (64%).
• Graduates from George Mason University earn a median of about $22,100 more per year than Franciscan graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $39,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, George Mason University graduates have a $2,250 lower median loan debt than Franciscan graduates ($19,750 vs. $22,000).
• Among borrowers, Mason graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Franciscan graduates ($204 vs. $227).
• More Franciscan graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mason students, three years after graduation. (78% 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.