Mount St. Mary's University vs. Mason

Comparable Facts

Compare Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg, MD 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 Mount St. Mary's University based on total student enrollment (39,766 students vs. 2,408 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mount St. Mary's University is located in Emmitsburg, MD (Rural Fringe setting); George Mason University is in Fairfax, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• Mount St. Mary's University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. George Mason University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mount St. Mary's University 13:1; George Mason University 16:1.

Mount St. Mary's University vs. Mason Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mount St. Mary's University 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 Mount St. Mary's University ($18,823 vs. $23,027).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mount St. Mary's University are 4.3% lower than at George Mason University ($15,050 vs. $15,725).
• Mount St. Mary's University is 242% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mason (about $34,410 more per year; $48,630.00 vs. $14,220.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25.7% higher at Mount St. Mary's University than at George Mason University (about $9,942 more per year; $48,630.00 vs. $38,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount St. Mary's University than at George Mason University (100% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount St. Mary's University students is 216.1% larger than aid received by George Mason University students ($40,619 vs. $12,852).

Mount St. Mary's University vs. Mason Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mount St. Mary's University 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 Mount St. Mary's University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at George Mason University (1260) is 100 points higher than at Mount St. Mary's University (1160).
• Incoming Mason students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 23 at Mount St. Mary's University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount St. Mary's University 1046/1280; George Mason University 1160/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount St. Mary's University 19/27; George Mason University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mount St. Mary's University - Test optional; Mason - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mount St. Mary's University Mar 1, 2027; Mason Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mason students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Mount St. Mary's University (3.36).
• Mason has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than Mount St. Mary's University (73.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.2% at Mount St. Mary's University vs. 20.2% at Mason.

Mount St. Mary's University vs. Mason Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mount St. Mary's University 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).

• Mount St. Mary's University's six-year graduation rate (76%) is higher than George Mason University's (64%).
• Graduates from George Mason University earn a median of about $5,800 more per year than Mount St. Mary's University graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $56,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, George Mason University graduates have a $6,250 lower median loan debt than Mount St. Mary's University graduates ($19,750 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Mason graduates have an estimated $64 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mount St. Mary's University graduates ($204 vs. $268).
• More Mount St. Mary's University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mason students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 73%)

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.