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JMU VCU Virginia Tech CNU Dickinson College Old Dominion Gettysburg College UVA UMBC UNC Charlotte UB William & Mary| Franklin and Marshall College | George Mason University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
F&M | Mason | ||
| Location | Lancaster, PA | Fairfax, VA | ||
| Setting | Small City | Large Suburban | ||
| Enrollment | 1,911 | 39,527 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #61 | #239 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | fandm.edu | gmu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
F&M | Mason | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $68,180 | $10,095 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $68,180 | $35,677 | ||
| Room & Board | $15,568 | $15,151 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $37,475 | $18,900 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $45,764 | $11,311 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 68% | 72% |
Admission |
F&M | Mason | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 9,231 | 22,579 | ||
| Admitted | 2,938 | 20,057 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 31.8% | 88.8% | ||
| Enrolled % | 18.8% | 22.2% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | - | 3.68 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | - | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Very High | Difficult | ||
| Applicant Competition | High | |||
| ACT Range | 29/32 | 25/30 | ||
| SAT Range | 1298/1460 | 1140/1340 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | ||
| Application Deadline | Jan 15, 2026 | Feb 1, 2026 |
Academics |
F&M | Mason | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 9:1 | 16:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
F&M | Mason | ||
| Graduation Rate | 85% | 64% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $61,900 | $61,900 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 88% | 73% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $22,000 | $19,750 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $227 | $204 |
Diversity |
F&M | Mason | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 0% | 13% | ||
| % Women | 0% | 17% | ||
| Racial Diversity | High | Very High | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 59% | 43% | ||
| % Black | 6% | 11% | ||
| % Hispanic | 8% | 13% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 5% | ||
| % International | 14% | 5% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 6% | 5% |
Students |
F&M | Mason | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 25% | 77% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 59% | 16% | ||
Campus |
F&M | Mason | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | Yes | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- George Mason University is larger than than F&M based on total student enrollment (39,527 students vs. 1,911 students)
F&M vs. Mason Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, F&M or Mason?
- Franklin and Marshall College is 575.4% more expensive to attend than Mason for in-state tuition ($68,180.00 vs. $10,095.00)
- Out of state tuition is 91.1% higher at F&M than George Mason University ($68,180.00 vs. $35,677.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at George Mason University than F&M ($18,900 vs. $37,475)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at George Mason University are 2.8% lower than costs at Franklin and Marshall College ($15,151 vs. $15,568)
- More students receive financial grant aid at George Mason University than Franklin and Marshall College (72% vs. 68%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Franklin and Marshall College students is 304.6% larger than aid received George Mason University ($45,764 vs. $11,311)
F&M vs. Mason Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, F&M or Mason? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Mason or F&M .
- Mason has a higher acceptance rate (88.8%) than F&M (31.8%)
F&M vs. Mason Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, F&M 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 F&M.
- The graduation rate at F&M is higher than George Mason University (85% vs. 64%)
- Graduates of Franklin and Marshall College and Mason have equivalent average earnings after ten years ($61,900 vs. $61,900)
- George Mason University students graduate with a $2,250 lower median federal student loan debt than F&M graduates. ($19,750 vs. $22,000)
- Mason graduates are paying $23 less per month on federal student loans than F&M graduates. ($204 vs. $227)
- More F&M graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mason students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 73%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/