Mason vs. UVA

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

 Mason UVA
Location Fairfax, VA Charlottesville, VA
Setting Large Suburban Small City
Enrollment 39,049 26,082
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #228 #59
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website gmu.edu virginia.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Mason UVA
Tuition (In State) $9,795 $16,980
Tuition (Out of State) $35,377 $51,870
Room & Board $13,120 $12,890
Avg Net Price $18,479 $19,469
Avg Grant Aid $10,760 $26,818
% Receiving Grant Aid 74% 34%

Admission

 Mason UVA
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 20,001 50,926
Admitted 18,001 9,503
Acceptance Rate 90% 18.7%
Enrolled % 23% 42.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.68 3.85
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Difficult Elite
Applicant Competition Very High
ACT Range 25/31 32/34
SAT Range 1140/1350 1400/1540
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 UVA
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • English and Literature (10%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (23%)
  • Engineering (10%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Business (8%)
  • Psychology (7%)

Outcomes

 Mason UVA
Graduation Rate 64% 94%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $61,900 $77,200
Making Student Loan Payments 73% 86%
Median Student Loan Debt $19,750 $19,500
Median Loan Payment $204 $201

Diversity

 Mason UVA
% Men 48% 45%
% Women 52% 55%
Racial Diversity Very High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 43% 60%
% Black 11% 6%
% Hispanic 13% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 5%
% International 5% 5%
% Unknown Race 5% 6%

Students

 Mason UVA
% In-State 77% 62%
% Out-of-State 17% 33%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • George Mason University is larger than than UVA based on total student enrollment (39,049 students vs. 26,082 students)

Mason vs. UVA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mason or UVA?

  • University of Virginia Main Campus is 73.4% more expensive to attend than Mason for in-state tuition ($16,980.00 vs. $9,795.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 46.6% higher at UVA than George Mason University ($51,870.00 vs. $35,377.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at George Mason University than UVA ($18,479 vs. $19,469)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Virginia Main Campus are 1.8% lower than costs at George Mason University ($12,890 vs. $13,120)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at George Mason University than University of Virginia Main Campus (74% vs. 34%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Virginia Main Campus students is 149.2% larger than aid received George Mason University ($26,818 vs. $10,760)

Mason vs. UVA Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Virginia Main Campus (1364) is 211 points higher than at Mason (1153)
  • Incoming UVA students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (31) than students at Mason (26)
  • Accepted freshman UVA students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.85) than students at Mason (3.68)
  • Mason has a higher acceptance rate (90%) than UVA (18.7%)

Mason vs. UVA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at UVA is higher than George Mason University (94% vs. 64%)
  • Graduates from University of Virginia Main Campus earn on average $15,300 more per year than Mason graduates after ten years. ($77,200 vs. $61,900)
  • University of Virginia Main Campus students graduate with a $250 lower median federal student loan debt than Mason graduates. ($19,500 vs. $19,750)
  • UVA graduates are paying $3 less per month on federal student loans than Mason graduates. ($201 vs. $204)
  • More UVA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mason students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 73%)

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