Mason vs. VWC

Should I go to George Mason University or Virginia Wesleyan College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Mason or VWC 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.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

JMU VCU Virginia Tech CNU Old Dominion UVA UMBC UNC Charlotte UB William & Mary Mary Washington College ASU
George Mason University vs. Virginia Wesleyan College comparison
George Mason University Virginia Wesleyan College College 3 College 4
George Mason University Virginia Wesleyan College
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 Mason VWC
Location Fairfax, VA Norfolk, VA
Setting Large Suburban Large City
Enrollment 39,049 1,538
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #228 #631
Religious Affiliation - United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website gmu.edu vwc.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Mason VWC
Tuition (In State) $9,795 $36,010
Tuition (Out of State) $35,377 $36,010
Room & Board $13,120 $11,070
Avg Net Price $18,479 $23,046
Avg Grant Aid $10,760 $27,568
% Receiving Grant Aid 74% 100%

Admission

 Mason VWC
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 20,001 1,718
Admitted 18,001 1,399
Acceptance Rate 90% 81.4%
Enrolled % 23% 20.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.68 3.39
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 25/31 27/29
SAT Range 1140/1350 1190/1365
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 VWC
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • English and Literature (10%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)

Outcomes

 Mason VWC
Graduation Rate 64% 48%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $61,900 $41,700
Making Student Loan Payments 73% 57%
Median Student Loan Debt $19,750 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $204 $279

Diversity

 Mason VWC
% Men 48% 44%
% Women 52% 56%
Racial Diversity Very High High
HBCU No No
% White 43% 54%
% Black 11% 24%
% Hispanic 13% 8%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 5%
% International 5% 1%
% Unknown Race 5% 6%

Students

 Mason VWC
% In-State 77% 73%
% Out-of-State 17% 26%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • George Mason University is larger than than VWC based on total student enrollment (39,049 students vs. 1,538 students)

Mason vs. VWC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mason or VWC?

  • Virginia Wesleyan College is 267.6% more expensive to attend than Mason for in-state tuition ($36,010.00 vs. $9,795.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 1.8% higher at VWC than George Mason University ($36,010.00 vs. $35,377.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at George Mason University than VWC ($18,479 vs. $23,046)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Wesleyan College are 18.5% lower than costs at George Mason University ($11,070 vs. $13,120)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Virginia Wesleyan College than George Mason University (100% vs. 74%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Wesleyan College students is 156.2% larger than aid received George Mason University ($27,568 vs. $10,760)

Mason vs. VWC Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at George Mason University (1153) is 171 points higher than at VWC (982)
  • Incoming Mason students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at VWC (22)
  • Accepted freshman Mason students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at VWC (3.39)
  • Mason has a higher acceptance rate (90%) than VWC (81.4%)

Mason vs. VWC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Mason is higher than Virginia Wesleyan College (64% vs. 48%)
  • Graduates from George Mason University earn on average $20,200 more per year than VWC graduates after ten years. ($61,900 vs. $41,700)
  • George Mason University students graduate with a $7,250 lower median federal student loan debt than VWC graduates. ($19,750 vs. $27,000)
  • Mason graduates are paying $75 less per month on federal student loans than VWC graduates. ($204 vs. $279)
  • More Mason graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VWC students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 57%)

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