Mason vs. WVU

Deciding between George Mason University and West Virginia University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

George Mason University
West Virginia University

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Mason Fairfax, VA
  • WVU Morgantown, WV
  • Setting
  • Mason Large Suburban
  • WVU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Mason 39,766
  • WVU 23,643
  • Type
  • Mason Public 4 Year
  • WVU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Mason #243
  • WVU #566
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Mason -
  • WVU -
  • Status
  • Mason Non-profit
  • WVU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Mason
  • WVU

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Mason $14,220
  • WVU $10,104
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Mason $38,688
  • WVU $28,608
  • Room & Board
  • Mason $15,725
  • WVU $14,582
  • Average Net Price
  • Mason $18,823
  • WVU $15,169
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Mason $12,852
  • WVU $12,363
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Mason 71%
  • WVU 94%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Mason 25,234
  • WVU 18,729
  • Admitted
  • Mason 22,074
  • WVU 16,669
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Mason 87.5%
  • WVU 89%
  • Enrolled
  • Mason 20.2%
  • WVU 24.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Mason 1260
  • WVU 1120
  • Typical ACT score
  • Mason 27
  • WVU 23
  • Average High School GPA
  • Mason 3.68
  • WVU 3.45
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Mason A-
  • WVU B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Mason Difficult
  • WVU Moderate
  • Applicant Competition
  • Mason
  • WVU
  • ACT Range
  • Mason 25/30
  • WVU 20/26
  • SAT Range
  • Mason 1160/1360
  • WVU 1010/1220
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Mason Test optional
  • WVU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Mason Feb 1, 2027
  • WVU

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Mason 16:1
  • WVU 19:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Mason
    • Business (23%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • English and Literature (10%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • WVU
    • Business (12%)
    • Engineering (11%)
    • General Studies (10%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Health Professions (8%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Mason 64%
  • WVU 57%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Mason $61,900
  • WVU $50,600
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Mason 73%
  • WVU 59%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Mason $19,750
  • WVU $24,001
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Mason $204
  • WVU $248

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Mason 49%
  • WVU 47%
  • % Women
  • Mason 51%
  • WVU 53%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Mason Very High
  • WVU Low
  • HBCU
  • Mason No
  • WVU No
  • % White
  • Mason 43%
  • WVU 81%
  • % Asian
  • Mason 19%
  • WVU 1%
  • % Black
  • Mason 11%
  • WVU 5%
  • % Hispanic
  • Mason 13%
  • WVU 4%
  • % Native American
  • Mason 0%
  • WVU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Mason 0%
  • WVU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Mason 5%
  • WVU 3%
  • % International
  • Mason 5%
  • WVU 6%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Mason 5%
  • WVU 0%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Mason 77%
  • WVU 41%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Mason 14%
  • WVU 58%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Mason Yes
  • WVU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Mason No
  • WVU No
  • Meal Plan
  • Mason Yes
  • WVU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Mason No
  • WVU No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Mason Yes
  • WVU Yes

Comparable Facts

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

George Mason University is larger than WVU based on total student enrollment (39,766 students vs. 23,643 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • George Mason University is located in Fairfax, VA (Large Suburban setting); West Virginia University is in Morgantown, WV (Small City setting).
  • George Mason University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. West Virginia University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: George Mason University 16:1; West Virginia University 19:1.

Mason vs. WVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mason or WVU? 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 West Virginia University than Mason ($15,169 vs. $18,823).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Virginia University are 7.3% lower than at George Mason University ($14,582 vs. $15,725).
  • George Mason University is 40.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than WVU (about $4,116 more per year; $14,220.00 vs. $10,104.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 35.2% higher at Mason than at West Virginia University (about $10,080 more per year; $38,688.00 vs. $28,608.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at West Virginia University than at George Mason University (94% vs. 71%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by George Mason University students is 4% larger than aid received by West Virginia University students ($12,852 vs. $12,363).

Mason vs. WVU Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at George Mason University (1260) is 140 points higher than at WVU (1120).
  • Incoming Mason students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 23 at WVU).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: George Mason University 1160/1360; West Virginia University 1010/1220.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: George Mason University 25/30; West Virginia University 20/26.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mason - Test optional; WVU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Mason Feb 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Mason students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at WVU (3.45).
  • WVU has a higher acceptance rate (89%) than Mason (87.5%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.2% at Mason vs. 24.8% at WVU.

Mason vs. WVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mason and WVU? 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).

  • George Mason University's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than West Virginia University's (57%).
  • Graduates from George Mason University earn a median of about $11,300 more per year than WVU graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $50,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, George Mason University graduates have a $4,251 lower median loan debt than WVU graduates ($19,750 vs. $24,001).
  • Among borrowers, Mason graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WVU graduates ($204 vs. $248).
  • More Mason graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WVU students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 59%)

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.