Mason vs. HSC- Hampden-Sydney

Comparable Facts

Compare George Mason University in Fairfax, VA with Hampden Sydney College in Hampden-Sydney, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

George Mason University is larger than HSC- Hampden-Sydney based on total student enrollment (39,766 students vs. 946 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• George Mason University is located in Fairfax, VA (Large Suburban setting); Hampden Sydney College is in Hampden-Sydney, VA (Distant Rural setting).
• George Mason University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Hampden Sydney College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: George Mason University 16:1; Hampden Sydney College 9:1.

Mason vs. HSC- Hampden-Sydney Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mason or HSC- Hampden-Sydney? 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 HSC- Hampden-Sydney ($18,823 vs. $29,717).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at George Mason University are 6% lower than at Hampden Sydney College ($15,725 vs. $16,732).
• Hampden Sydney College is 283.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mason (about $40,330 more per year; $54,550.00 vs. $14,220.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41% higher at HSC- Hampden-Sydney than at George Mason University (about $15,862 more per year; $54,550.00 vs. $38,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hampden Sydney College than at George Mason University (100% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hampden Sydney College students is 216.8% larger than aid received by George Mason University students ($40,720 vs. $12,852).

Mason vs. HSC- Hampden-Sydney Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mason or HSC- Hampden-Sydney? 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 HSC- Hampden-Sydney and Mason.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at George Mason University (1260) is 120 points higher than at HSC- Hampden-Sydney (1140).
• Incoming Mason students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at HSC- Hampden-Sydney).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: George Mason University 1160/1360; Hampden Sydney College 1030/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: George Mason University 25/30; Hampden Sydney College 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mason - Test optional; HSC- Hampden-Sydney - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mason Feb 1, 2027; HSC- Hampden-Sydney Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mason students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at HSC- Hampden-Sydney (3.53).
• Mason has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than HSC- Hampden-Sydney (40.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.2% at Mason vs. 22.8% at HSC- Hampden-Sydney.

Mason vs. HSC- Hampden-Sydney Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mason and HSC- Hampden-Sydney? 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).

• Hampden Sydney College's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than George Mason University's (64%).
• Graduates from George Mason University earn a median of about $7,900 more per year than HSC- Hampden-Sydney graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $54,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, George Mason University graduates have a $7,250 lower median loan debt than HSC- Hampden-Sydney graduates ($19,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Mason graduates have an estimated $75 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than HSC- Hampden-Sydney graduates ($204 vs. $279).
• More HSC- Hampden-Sydney graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mason students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.