George Washington vs. Mason

Deciding between George Washington University and George Mason 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 Washington University
George Mason University

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • George Washington Washington, DC
  • Mason Fairfax, VA
  • Setting
  • George Washington Large City
  • Mason Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • George Washington 25,374
  • Mason 39,766
  • Type
  • George Washington Private 4 Year
  • Mason Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • George Washington #82
  • Mason #243
  • Religious Affiliation
  • George Washington -
  • Mason -
  • Status
  • George Washington Non-profit
  • Mason Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • George Washington
  • Mason

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • George Washington $67,710
  • Mason $14,220
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • George Washington $67,710
  • Mason $38,688
  • Room & Board
  • George Washington $16,920
  • Mason $15,725
  • Average Net Price
  • George Washington $46,485
  • Mason $18,823
  • Average Grant Aid
  • George Washington $37,500
  • Mason $12,852
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • George Washington 78%
  • Mason 71%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • George Washington 27,016
  • Mason 25,234
  • Admitted
  • George Washington 12,723
  • Mason 22,074
  • Acceptance Rate
  • George Washington 47.1%
  • Mason 87.5%
  • Enrolled
  • George Washington 19.3%
  • Mason 20.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • George Washington 1430
  • Mason 1260
  • Typical ACT score
  • George Washington 32
  • Mason 27
  • Average High School GPA
  • George Washington 3.81
  • Mason 3.68
  • Typical High School Grades
  • George Washington A-
  • Mason A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • George Washington Exceptional
  • Mason Difficult
  • Applicant Competition
  • George Washington Low
  • Mason
  • ACT Range
  • George Washington 31/34
  • Mason 25/30
  • SAT Range
  • George Washington 1350/1500
  • Mason 1160/1360
  • Submit Test Scores
  • George Washington Test optional
  • Mason Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • George Washington Jan 5, 2027
  • Mason Feb 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • George Washington 13:1
  • Mason 16:1
  • Popular Majors
  • George Washington
    • Social Sciences (34%)
    • Business (16%)
    • Health Professions (14%)
    • Psychology (5%)
    • Communication (4%)
  • Mason
    • Business (23%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • English and Literature (10%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • George Washington 81%
  • Mason 64%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • George Washington $80,500
  • Mason $61,900
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • George Washington 82%
  • Mason 73%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • George Washington $24,962
  • Mason $19,750
  • Median Loan Payment
  • George Washington $258
  • Mason $204

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • George Washington 38%
  • Mason 49%
  • % Women
  • George Washington 62%
  • Mason 51%
  • Racial Diversity
  • George Washington High
  • Mason Very High
  • HBCU
  • George Washington No
  • Mason No
  • % White
  • George Washington 56%
  • Mason 43%
  • % Asian
  • George Washington 10%
  • Mason 19%
  • % Black
  • George Washington 6%
  • Mason 11%
  • % Hispanic
  • George Washington 8%
  • Mason 13%
  • % Native American
  • George Washington 0%
  • Mason 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • George Washington 0%
  • Mason 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • George Washington 4%
  • Mason 5%
  • % International
  • George Washington 10%
  • Mason 5%
  • % Unknown Race
  • George Washington 5%
  • Mason 5%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • George Washington 2%
  • Mason 77%
  • % Out-of-State
  • George Washington 89%
  • Mason 14%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

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

George Mason University is larger than George Washington based on total student enrollment (39,766 students vs. 25,374 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • George Washington University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); George Mason University is in Fairfax, VA (Large Suburban setting).
  • George Washington University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. George Mason University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: George Washington University 13:1; George Mason University 16:1.

George Washington vs. Mason Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, George Washington or Mason? 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 George Washington ($18,823 vs. $46,485).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at George Mason University are 7.1% lower than at George Washington University ($15,725 vs. $16,920).
  • George Washington University is 376.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mason (about $53,490 more per year; $67,710.00 vs. $14,220.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 75% higher at George Washington than at George Mason University (about $29,022 more per year; $67,710.00 vs. $38,688.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at George Washington University than at George Mason University (78% vs. 71%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by George Washington University students is 191.8% larger than aid received by George Mason University students ($37,500 vs. $12,852).

George Washington vs. Mason Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at George Washington University (1430) is 170 points higher than at Mason (1260).
  • Incoming George Washington students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 27 at Mason).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: George Washington University 1350/1500; George Mason University 1160/1360.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: George Washington University 31/34; George Mason University 25/30.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: George Washington - Test optional; Mason - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: George Washington Jan 5, 2027; Mason Feb 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman George Washington students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Mason (3.68).
  • Mason has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than George Washington (47.1%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.3% at George Washington vs. 20.2% at Mason.

George Washington vs. Mason Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for George Washington and Mason? 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 Washington University's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than George Mason University's (64%).
  • Graduates from George Washington University earn a median of about $18,600 more per year than Mason graduates about ten years after starting college ($80,500 vs. $61,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, George Mason University graduates have a $5,212 lower median loan debt than George Washington graduates ($19,750 vs. $24,962).
  • Among borrowers, Mason graduates have an estimated $54 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than George Washington graduates ($204 vs. $258).
  • More George Washington graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mason students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.