Mason vs. WVU

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

 Mason WVU
Location Fairfax, VA Morgantown, WV
Setting Large Suburban Small City
Enrollment 39,049 24,741
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #228 #559
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website gmu.edu wvu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Mason WVU
Tuition (In State) $9,795 $9,360
Tuition (Out of State) $35,377 $26,568
Room & Board $13,120 $11,618
Avg Net Price $18,479 $12,202
Avg Grant Aid $10,760 $11,685
% Receiving Grant Aid 74% 94%

Admission

 Mason WVU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 20,001 18,206
Admitted 18,001 16,091
Acceptance Rate 90% 88.4%
Enrolled % 23% 28.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.68 3.45
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 25/31 20/26
SAT Range 1140/1350 1000/1220
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 WVU
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • English and Literature (10%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Engineering (11%)
  • General Studies (10%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Health Professions (8%)

Outcomes

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

Diversity

 Mason WVU
% Men 48% 47%
% Women 52% 53%
Racial Diversity Very High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 43% 81%
% Black 11% 5%
% Hispanic 13% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 3%
% International 5% 6%
% Unknown Race 5% 0%

Students

 Mason WVU
% In-State 77% 42%
% Out-of-State 17% 57%

Campus

 Mason WVU
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 WVU based on total student enrollment (39,049 students vs. 24,741 students)

Mason vs. WVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mason or WVU?

  • George Mason University is 4.6% more expensive to attend than WVU for in-state tuition ($9,795.00 vs. $9,360.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 33.2% higher at Mason than West Virginia University ($35,377.00 vs. $26,568.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at West Virginia University than Mason ($12,202 vs. $18,479)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Virginia University are 12.9% lower than costs at George Mason University ($11,618 vs. $13,120)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at West Virginia University than George Mason University (94% vs. 74%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by West Virginia University students is 8.6% larger than aid received George Mason University ($11,685 vs. $10,760)

Mason vs. WVU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at George Mason University (1153) is 75 points higher than at WVU (1078)
  • Incoming Mason students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at WVU (24)
  • Accepted freshman Mason students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at WVU (3.45)
  • Mason has a higher acceptance rate (90%) than WVU (88.4%)

Mason vs. WVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Mason is higher than West Virginia University (64% vs. 57%)
  • Graduates from George Mason University earn on average $11,300 more per year than WVU graduates after ten years. ($61,900 vs. $50,600)
  • George Mason University students graduate with a $4,251 lower median federal student loan debt than WVU graduates. ($19,750 vs. $24,001)
  • Mason graduates are paying $44 less per month on federal student loans 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/