Mason vs. Northern Virginia Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare George Mason University in Fairfax, VA with Northern Virginia Community College in Annandale, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern Virginia Community College is larger than Mason based on total student enrollment (56,457 students vs. 39,766 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• George Mason University is located in Fairfax, VA (Large Suburban setting); Northern Virginia Community College is in Annandale, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• George Mason University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern Virginia Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: George Mason University 16:1; Northern Virginia Community College 31:1.

Mason vs. Northern Virginia Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mason or Northern Virginia Community College? 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 Northern Virginia Community College than Mason ($9,627 vs. $18,823).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Virginia Community College are 19.3% lower than at George Mason University ($12,684 vs. $15,725).
• George Mason University is 141.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northern Virginia Community College (about $8,329 more per year; $14,220.00 vs. $5,891.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 211.8% higher at Mason than at Northern Virginia Community College (about $26,279 more per year; $38,688.00 vs. $12,409.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at George Mason University than at Northern Virginia Community College (71% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by George Mason University students is 70.9% larger than aid received by Northern Virginia Community College students ($12,852 vs. $7,519).

Mason vs. Northern Virginia Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mason or Northern Virginia Community College? 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 Northern Virginia Community College and Mason.

• Northern Virginia Community College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: George Mason University 1160/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: George Mason University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mason - Test optional; Northern Virginia Community College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mason Feb 1, 2027.

Mason vs. Northern Virginia Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mason and Northern Virginia Community College? 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).

• Graduates from George Mason University earn a median of about $15,800 more per year than Northern Virginia Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $46,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Virginia Community College graduates have a $8,750 lower median loan debt than Mason graduates ($11,000 vs. $19,750).
• Among borrowers, Northern Virginia Community College graduates have an estimated $91 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mason graduates ($113 vs. $204).
• More Mason graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northern Virginia Community College students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 45%)

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.