Mississippi State vs. Mason

Comparable Facts

Compare Mississippi State University in Mississippi State, MS 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 Mississippi State based on total student enrollment (39,766 students vs. 23,150 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mississippi State University is located in Mississippi State, MS (Rural Fringe setting); George Mason University is in Fairfax, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• Mississippi State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. George Mason University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mississippi State University 16:1; George Mason University 16:1.

Mississippi State vs. Mason Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mississippi State 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 Mississippi State University than Mason ($18,478 vs. $18,823).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mississippi State University are 18% lower than at George Mason University ($12,902 vs. $15,725).
• George Mason University is 39.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mississippi State (about $4,018 more per year; $14,220.00 vs. $10,202.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 40% higher at Mason than at Mississippi State University (about $11,051 more per year; $38,688.00 vs. $27,637.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mississippi State University than at George Mason University (96% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mississippi State University students is 7.8% larger than aid received by George Mason University students ($13,852 vs. $12,852).

Mississippi State vs. Mason Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mississippi State 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 Mississippi State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at George Mason University (1260) is 30 points higher than at Mississippi State (1230).
• Incoming Mason students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at Mississippi State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mississippi State University 1100/1350; George Mason University 1160/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mississippi State University 21/29; George Mason University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mississippi State - Test optional; Mason - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mississippi State Aug 1, 2027; Mason Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mason students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Mississippi State (3.58).
• Mason has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than Mississippi State (77.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.8% at Mississippi State vs. 20.2% at Mason.

Mississippi State vs. Mason Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mississippi State 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 Mississippi State University's (60%).
• Graduates from George Mason University earn a median of about $14,400 more per year than Mississippi State graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, George Mason University graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Mississippi State graduates ($19,750 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, Mason graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mississippi State graduates ($204 vs. $240).
• More Mason graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mississippi State students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 63%)

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.