Howard vs. Mason

Comparable Facts

Compare Howard 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 Howard based on total student enrollment (39,766 students vs. 14,890 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Howard vs. Mason Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Howard 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 Howard ($18,823 vs. $33,368).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at George Mason University are 9.2% lower than at Howard University ($15,725 vs. $17,322).
• Howard University is 151.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mason (about $21,590 more per year; $35,810.00 vs. $14,220.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8% higher at Mason than at Howard University (about $2,878 more per year; $38,688.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Howard University than at George Mason University (99% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Howard University students is 65.4% larger than aid received by George Mason University students ($21,262 vs. $12,852).

Howard vs. Mason Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Howard 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 Howard.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at George Mason University (1260) is 50 points higher than at Howard (1210).
• Incoming Mason students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at Howard).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 1090/1320; George Mason University 1160/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 22/28; George Mason University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Howard - Test optional; Mason - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Howard Feb 15, 2027; Mason Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mason students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Howard (3.66).
• Mason has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than Howard (41.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Howard vs. 20.2% at Mason.

Howard vs. Mason Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Howard 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 Mason University's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than Howard University's (63%).
• Graduates from George Mason University earn a median of about $10,100 more per year than Howard graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $51,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, George Mason University graduates have a $7,250 lower median loan debt than Howard graduates ($19,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Mason graduates have an estimated $75 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Howard graduates ($204 vs. $279).
• More Mason graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Howard students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 33%)

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.