Mason vs. RU

Should I go to George Mason University or Radford University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Mason or RU 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. Radford University comparison
George Mason University Radford University College 3 College 4
George Mason University Radford University
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Overview

Mason RU
Location Fairfax, VA Radford, VA
Setting Large Suburban Distant Town
Enrollment 39,527 7,531
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #239 #449
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website gmu.edu radford.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Mason RU
Tuition (In State) $10,095 $8,401
Tuition (Out of State) $35,677 $20,853
Room & Board $15,151 $11,973
Avg Net Price $18,900 $18,282
Avg Grant Aid $11,311 $8,968
% Receiving Grant Aid 72% 99%

Admission

Mason RU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 22,579 11,072
Admitted 20,057 10,036
Acceptance Rate 88.8% 90.6%
Enrolled % 22.2% 11%
Avg High School GPA 3.68 3.31
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 25/30 19/26
SAT Range 1140/1340 950/1170
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

Academics

Mason RU
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • English and Literature (10%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Business (18%)
  • General Studies (10%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Communication (8%)

Outcomes

Mason RU
Graduation Rate 64% 56%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $61,900 $47,400
Making Student Loan Payments 73% 70%
Median Student Loan Debt $19,750 $23,000
Median Loan Payment $204 $237

Diversity

Mason RU
% Men 13% 5%
% Women 17% 19%
Racial Diversity Very High Low
HBCU No No
% White 43% 71%
% Black 11% 13%
% Hispanic 13% 7%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 5%
% International 5% 1%
% Unknown Race 5% 1%

Students

Mason RU
% In-State 77% 88%
% Out-of-State 16% 11%

Campus

Mason RU
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 RU based on total student enrollment (39,527 students vs. 7,531 students)

Mason vs. RU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mason or RU?

  • George Mason University is 20.2% more expensive to attend than RU for in-state tuition ($10,095.00 vs. $8,401.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 71.1% higher at Mason than Radford University ($35,677.00 vs. $20,853.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Radford University than Mason ($18,282 vs. $18,900)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Radford University are 26.5% lower than costs at George Mason University ($11,973 vs. $15,151)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Radford University than George Mason University (99% vs. 72%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by George Mason University students is 26.1% larger than aid received Radford University ($11,311 vs. $8,968)

Mason vs. RU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Mason students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at RU (3.31)
  • RU has a higher acceptance rate (90.6%) than Mason (88.8%)

Mason vs. RU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Mason is higher than Radford University (64% vs. 56%)
  • Graduates from George Mason University earn on average $14,500 more per year than RU graduates after ten years. ($61,900 vs. $47,400)
  • George Mason University students graduate with a $3,250 lower median federal student loan debt than RU graduates. ($19,750 vs. $23,000)
  • Mason graduates are paying $33 less per month on federal student loans than RU graduates. ($204 vs. $237)
  • More Mason graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RU students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 70%)

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