LSU vs. Mason

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

LSU Mason
Location Baton Rouge, LA Fairfax, VA
Setting Rural Fringe Large Suburban
Enrollment 37,348 39,049
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #367 #228
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website lsu.edu gmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

LSU Mason
Tuition (In State) $8,038 $9,795
Tuition (Out of State) $8,038 $35,377
Room & Board $13,956 $13,120
Avg Net Price $21,296 $18,479
Avg Grant Aid $12,374 $10,760
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 74%

Admission

LSU Mason
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 38,853 20,001
Admitted 29,419 18,001
Acceptance Rate 75.7% 90%
Enrolled % 25.2% 23%
Avg High School GPA 3.77 3.68
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/28 25/31
SAT Range 1140/1320 1140/1350
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 Jul 15, 2025 Feb 1, 2025

Academics

LSU Mason
Student to Faculty Ratio 22:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (18%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Engineering (9%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • English and Literature (10%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)

Outcomes

LSU Mason
Graduation Rate 60% 64%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $56,900 $61,900
Making Student Loan Payments 67% 73%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,900 $19,750
Median Loan Payment $216 $204

Diversity

LSU Mason
% Men 44% 48%
% Women 56% 52%
Racial Diversity Low Very High
HBCU No No
% White 73% 43%
% Black 12% 11%
% Hispanic 6% 13%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 5%
% International 2% 5%
% Unknown Race 0% 5%

Students

LSU Mason
% In-State 65% 77%
% Out-of-State 34% 17%

Campus

LSU Mason
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 LSU based on total student enrollment (39,049 students vs. 37,348 students)

LSU vs. Mason Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, LSU or Mason?

  • George Mason University is 21.9% more expensive to attend than LSU for in-state tuition ($9,795.00 vs. $8,038.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 340.1% higher at Mason than Louisiana State University ($35,377.00 vs. $8,038.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at George Mason University than LSU ($18,479 vs. $21,296)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at George Mason University are 6.4% lower than costs at Louisiana State University ($13,120 vs. $13,956)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Louisiana State University than George Mason University (98% vs. 74%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Louisiana State University students is 15% larger than aid received George Mason University ($12,374 vs. $10,760)

LSU vs. Mason Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Louisiana State University (1163) is 10 points higher than at Mason (1153)
  • Incoming LSU students have at the same average ACT score (26) as students at Mason (26)
  • Accepted freshman LSU students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at Mason (3.68)
  • Mason has a higher acceptance rate (90%) than LSU (75.7%)

LSU vs. Mason Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Mason is higher than Louisiana State University (64% vs. 60%)
  • Graduates from George Mason University earn on average $5,000 more per year than LSU graduates after ten years. ($61,900 vs. $56,900)
  • George Mason University students graduate with a $1,150 lower median federal student loan debt than LSU graduates. ($19,750 vs. $20,900)
  • Mason graduates are paying $12 less per month on federal student loans than LSU graduates. ($204 vs. $216)
  • More Mason graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former LSU students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 67%)

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