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JMU Michigan WSU VCU GVSU Michigan Tech IU Penn State Virginia Tech CNU CMU ISU| Michigan State University | George Mason University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
Michigan State | Mason | ||
| Location | East Lansing, MI | Fairfax, VA | ||
| Setting | Rural Fringe | Large Suburban | ||
| Enrollment | 50,023 | 39,049 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #240 | #228 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | msu.edu | gmu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Michigan State | Mason | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $15,192 | $9,795 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $41,778 | $35,377 | ||
| Room & Board | $10,990 | $13,120 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $22,803 | $18,479 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $8,684 | $10,760 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 92% | 74% |
Admission |
Michigan State | Mason | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 53,341 | 20,001 | ||
| Admitted | 46,914 | 18,001 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 88% | 90% | ||
| Enrolled % | 21% | 23% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.72 | 3.68 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | A- | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Very High | Difficult | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 25/31 | 25/31 | ||
| SAT Range | 1160/1360 | 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 | Feb 1, 2025 |
Academics |
Michigan State | Mason | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 17:1 | 16:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Michigan State | Mason | ||
| Graduation Rate | 77% | 64% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $60,000 | $61,900 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 68% | 73% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $25,484 | $19,750 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $263 | $204 |
Diversity |
Michigan State | Mason | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 47% | 48% | ||
| % Women | 53% | 52% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Medium | Very High | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 67% | 43% | ||
| % Black | 7% | 11% | ||
| % Hispanic | 4% | 13% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 3% | 5% | ||
| % International | 13% | 5% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 1% | 5% |
Students |
Michigan State | Mason | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 71% | 77% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 21% | 17% | ||
Campus |
Michigan State | Mason | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | Yes | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | Yes | Yes | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Michigan State University is larger than than Mason based on total student enrollment (50,023 students vs. 39,049 students)
Michigan State vs. Mason Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Michigan State or Mason?
- Michigan State University is 55.1% more expensive to attend than Mason for in-state tuition ($15,192.00 vs. $9,795.00)
- Out of state tuition is 18.1% higher at Michigan State than George Mason University ($41,778.00 vs. $35,377.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at George Mason University than Michigan State ($18,479 vs. $22,803)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Michigan State University are 19.4% lower than costs at George Mason University ($10,990 vs. $13,120)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Michigan State University than George Mason University (92% vs. 74%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by George Mason University students is 23.9% larger than aid received Michigan State University ($10,760 vs. $8,684)
Michigan State vs. Mason Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Michigan State or Mason? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Mason or Michigan State .
- The average SAT score at Michigan State University (1159) is 6 points higher than at Mason (1153)
- Incoming Michigan State students have at the same average ACT score (26) as students at Mason (26)
- Accepted freshman Michigan State students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at Mason (3.68)
- Mason has a higher acceptance rate (90%) than Michigan State (88%)
Michigan State vs. Mason Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Michigan State 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 Michigan State.
- The graduation rate at Michigan State is higher than George Mason University (77% vs. 64%)
- Graduates from George Mason University earn on average $1,900 more per year than Michigan State graduates after ten years. ($61,900 vs. $60,000)
- George Mason University students graduate with a $5,734 lower median federal student loan debt than Michigan State graduates. ($19,750 vs. $25,484)
- Mason graduates are paying $59 less per month on federal student loans than Michigan State graduates. ($204 vs. $263)
- More Mason graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Michigan State students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 68%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/