Mason vs. SVU

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

 Mason SVU
Location Fairfax, VA Buena Vista, VA
Setting Large Suburban Distant Town
Enrollment 39,049 1,053
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #228 #984
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website gmu.edu svu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Mason SVU
Tuition (In State) $9,795 $18,858
Tuition (Out of State) $35,377 $18,858
Room & Board $13,120 $9,150
Avg Net Price $18,479 $23,274
Avg Grant Aid $10,760 $8,188
% Receiving Grant Aid 74% 99%

Admission

 Mason SVU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 20,001 1,090
Admitted 18,001 1,084
Acceptance Rate 90% 99.4%
Enrolled % 23% 35.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.68 3.19
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Difficult Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 25/31 18/24
SAT Range 1140/1350 900/1250
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 SVU
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 (21%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (15%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (14%)
  • English and Literature (13%)
  • Work and Family Studies (12%)

Outcomes

 Mason SVU
Graduation Rate 64% 25%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $61,900 $40,600
Making Student Loan Payments 73% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $19,750 $23,654
Median Loan Payment $204 $244

Diversity

 Mason SVU
% Men 48% 53%
% Women 52% 47%
Racial Diversity Very High Low
HBCU No No
% White 43% 80%
% Black 11% 4%
% Hispanic 13% 4%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 5% 7%
% International 5% 2%
% Unknown Race 5% 1%

Students

 Mason SVU
% In-State 77% 12%
% Out-of-State 17% 73%

Campus

 Mason SVU
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 SVU based on total student enrollment (39,049 students vs. 1,053 students)

Mason vs. SVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mason or SVU?

  • Southern Virginia University is 92.5% more expensive to attend than Mason for in-state tuition ($18,858.00 vs. $9,795.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 87.6% higher at Mason than Southern Virginia University ($35,377.00 vs. $18,858.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at George Mason University than SVU ($18,479 vs. $23,274)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Virginia University are 43.4% lower than costs at George Mason University ($9,150 vs. $13,120)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Southern Virginia University than George Mason University (99% vs. 74%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by George Mason University students is 31.4% larger than aid received Southern Virginia University ($10,760 vs. $8,188)

Mason vs. SVU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at George Mason University (1153) is 112 points higher than at SVU (1041)
  • Incoming Mason students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at SVU (23)
  • Accepted freshman Mason students have a 0.49 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at SVU (3.19)
  • SVU has a higher acceptance rate (99.4%) than Mason (90%)

Mason vs. SVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Mason is higher than Southern Virginia University (64% vs. 25%)
  • Graduates from George Mason University earn on average $21,300 more per year than SVU graduates after ten years. ($61,900 vs. $40,600)
  • George Mason University students graduate with a $3,904 lower median federal student loan debt than SVU graduates. ($19,750 vs. $23,654)
  • Mason graduates are paying $40 less per month on federal student loans than SVU graduates. ($204 vs. $244)
  • More Mason graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SVU students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 53%)

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