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JMU VCU Alabama Virginia Tech CNU UL Lafayette Old Dominion Florida State UVA UMBC Tulane LA Tech- Louisiana Tech- Tech| Louisiana State University | George Mason University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
LSU | Mason | ||
| Location | Baton Rouge, LA | Fairfax, VA | ||
| Setting | Rural Fringe | Large Suburban | ||
| Enrollment | 39,418 | 39,527 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #287 | #239 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | lsu.edu | gmu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
LSU | Mason | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $8,038 | $10,095 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $8,038 | $35,677 | ||
| Room & Board | $14,296 | $15,151 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $21,808 | $18,900 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $13,509 | $11,311 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 88% | 72% |
Admission |
LSU | Mason | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 42,558 | 22,579 | ||
| Admitted | 31,491 | 20,057 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 74% | 88.8% | ||
| Enrolled % | 23.9% | 22.2% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.77 | 3.68 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | A- | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Difficult | Difficult | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | |||
| ACT Range | 24/29 | 25/30 | ||
| SAT Range | 1150/1330 | 1140/1340 | ||
| 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, 2026 | Feb 1, 2026 |
Academics |
LSU | Mason | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 20:1 | 16:1 | ||
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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 | 7% | 13% | ||
| % Women | 11% | 17% | ||
| 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 | 61% | 77% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 37% | 16% | ||
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 (39,527 students vs. 39,418 students)
LSU vs. Mason Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, LSU or Mason?
- George Mason University is 25.6% more expensive to attend than LSU for in-state tuition ($10,095.00 vs. $8,038.00)
- Out of state tuition is 343.9% higher at Mason than Louisiana State University ($35,677.00 vs. $8,038.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at George Mason University than LSU ($18,900 vs. $21,808)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Louisiana State University are 6% lower than costs at George Mason University ($14,296 vs. $15,151)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Louisiana State University than George Mason University (88% vs. 72%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Louisiana State University students is 19.4% larger than aid received George Mason University ($13,509 vs. $11,311)
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 (88.8%) than LSU (74%)
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/