Mason vs. Virginia Tech

Comparable Facts

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

George Mason University is larger than Virginia Tech based on total student enrollment (39,766 students vs. 38,857 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• George Mason University is located in Fairfax, VA (Large Suburban setting); Virginia Tech is in Blacksburg, VA (Small City setting).
• George Mason University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Tech is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: George Mason University 16:1; Virginia Tech 17:1.

Mason vs. Virginia Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mason or Virginia Tech? 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 Virginia Tech ($18,823 vs. $24,912).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at George Mason University are 5% lower than at Virginia Tech ($15,725 vs. $16,550).
• Virginia Tech is 12.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mason (about $1,728 more per year; $15,948.00 vs. $14,220.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.4% higher at Mason than at Virginia Tech (about $924 more per year; $38,688.00 vs. $37,764.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at George Mason University than at Virginia Tech (71% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by George Mason University students is 40.2% larger than aid received by Virginia Tech students ($12,852 vs. $9,168).

Mason vs. Virginia Tech Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mason or Virginia Tech? 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 Virginia Tech and Mason.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia Tech (1370) is 110 points higher than at Mason (1260).
• Incoming Virginia Tech students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 27 at Mason).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: George Mason University 1160/1360; Virginia Tech 1280/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: George Mason University 25/30; Virginia Tech 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mason - Test optional; Virginia Tech - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mason Feb 1, 2027; Virginia Tech Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Virginia Tech students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Mason (3.68).
• Mason has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than Virginia Tech (54.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.2% at Mason vs. 25.3% at Virginia Tech.

Mason vs. Virginia Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mason and Virginia Tech? 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).

• Virginia Tech's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than George Mason University's (64%).
• Graduates from Virginia Tech earn a median of about $3,100 more per year than Mason graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,000 vs. $61,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, George Mason University graduates have a $4,216 lower median loan debt than Virginia Tech graduates ($19,750 vs. $23,966).
• Among borrowers, Mason graduates have an estimated $43 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Virginia Tech graduates ($204 vs. $247).
• More Virginia Tech graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mason students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 73%)

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.