Mason vs. Sweet Briar College

Comparable Facts

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

George Mason University is larger than Sweet Briar College based on total student enrollment (39,766 students vs. 444 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Mason vs. Sweet Briar College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mason or Sweet Briar 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 George Mason University than Sweet Briar College ($18,823 vs. $21,322).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sweet Briar College are 3.1% lower than at George Mason University ($15,230 vs. $15,725).
• Sweet Briar College is 84% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mason (about $11,940 more per year; $26,160.00 vs. $14,220.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 47.9% higher at Mason than at Sweet Briar College (about $12,528 more per year; $38,688.00 vs. $26,160.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sweet Briar College than at George Mason University (99% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sweet Briar College students is 74.2% larger than aid received by George Mason University students ($22,387 vs. $12,852).

Mason vs. Sweet Briar College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mason or Sweet Briar 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 Sweet Briar College and Mason.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at George Mason University (1260) is 50 points higher than at Sweet Briar College (1210).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: George Mason University 1160/1360; Sweet Briar College 1100/1310.
• 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; Sweet Briar College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mason Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mason students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Sweet Briar College (3.54).
• Mason has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than Sweet Briar College (75.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.2% at Mason vs. 13.2% at Sweet Briar College.

Mason vs. Sweet Briar College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mason and Sweet Briar 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).

• Sweet Briar College's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than George Mason University's (64%).
• Graduates from George Mason University earn a median of about $20,200 more per year than Sweet Briar College graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, George Mason University graduates have a $7,250 lower median loan debt than Sweet Briar College graduates ($19,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Mason graduates have an estimated $75 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Sweet Briar College graduates ($204 vs. $279).
• More Mason graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Sweet Briar College students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 72%)

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.