Mason vs. JMU

Should I go to George Mason University or James Madison University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Mason or JMU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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George Mason University vs. James Madison University comparison
George Mason University James Madison University College 3 College 4
George Mason University James Madison University
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Overview

 Mason JMU
Location Fairfax, VA Harrisonburg, VA
Setting Large Suburban Small City
Enrollment 39,049 22,224
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #228 #260
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website gmu.edu jmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Mason JMU
Tuition (In State) $9,795 $7,684
Tuition (Out of State) $35,377 $24,744
Room & Board $13,120 $12,040
Avg Net Price $18,479 $18,274
Avg Grant Aid $10,760 $10,081
% Receiving Grant Aid 74% 33%

Admission

 Mason JMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 20,001 30,727
Admitted 18,001 24,062
Acceptance Rate 90% 78.3%
Enrolled % 23% 20.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.68 3.57
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 25/31 23/29
SAT Range 1140/1350 1140/1320
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 Feb 1, 2025 Jan 15, 2025

Academics

 Mason JMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • English and Literature (10%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

Outcomes

 Mason JMU
Graduation Rate 64% 81%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $61,900 $60,300
Making Student Loan Payments 73% 83%
Median Student Loan Debt $19,750 $20,899
Median Loan Payment $204 $216

Diversity

 Mason JMU
% Men 48% 42%
% Women 52% 58%
Racial Diversity Very High Low
HBCU No No
% White 43% 76%
% Black 11% 4%
% Hispanic 13% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 4%
% International 5% 2%
% Unknown Race 5% 3%

Students

 Mason JMU
% In-State 77% 73%
% Out-of-State 17% 26%

Campus

 Mason JMU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • George Mason University is larger than than JMU based on total student enrollment (39,049 students vs. 22,224 students)

Mason vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mason or JMU?

  • George Mason University is 27.5% more expensive to attend than JMU for in-state tuition ($9,795.00 vs. $7,684.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 43% higher at Mason than James Madison University ($35,377.00 vs. $24,744.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at James Madison University than Mason ($18,274 vs. $18,479)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 9% lower than costs at George Mason University ($12,040 vs. $13,120)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at George Mason University than James Madison University (74% vs. 33%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by George Mason University students is 6.7% larger than aid received James Madison University ($10,760 vs. $10,081)

Mason vs. JMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mason or JMU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between JMU or Mason .

  • The average SAT score at George Mason University (1153) is 19 points higher than at JMU (1134)
  • Incoming Mason students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at JMU (25)
  • Accepted freshman Mason students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at JMU (3.57)
  • Mason has a higher acceptance rate (90%) than JMU (78.3%)

Mason vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Mason or JMU? 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 JMU and Mason.

  • The graduation rate at JMU is higher than George Mason University (81% vs. 64%)
  • Graduates from George Mason University earn on average $1,600 more per year than JMU graduates after ten years. ($61,900 vs. $60,300)
  • George Mason University students graduate with a $1,149 lower median federal student loan debt than JMU graduates. ($19,750 vs. $20,899)
  • Mason graduates are paying $12 less per month on federal student loans than JMU graduates. ($204 vs. $216)
  • More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mason students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 73%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/