NC State vs. Mason

Comparable Facts

Compare North Carolina State University at Raleigh in Raleigh, NC 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 NC State based on total student enrollment (39,766 students vs. 38,464 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• North Carolina State University at Raleigh is located in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting); George Mason University is in Fairfax, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. George Mason University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 15:1; George Mason University 16:1.

NC State vs. Mason Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NC 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 North Carolina State University at Raleigh than Mason ($15,522 vs. $18,823).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh are 8.9% lower than at George Mason University ($14,332 vs. $15,725).
• George Mason University is 61.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than NC State (about $5,421 more per year; $14,220.00 vs. $8,799.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.8% higher at Mason than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (about $5,841 more per year; $38,688.00 vs. $32,847.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at George Mason University than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (71% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by George Mason University students is 10.1% larger than aid received by North Carolina State University at Raleigh students ($12,852 vs. $11,675).

NC State vs. Mason Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (1390) is 130 points higher than at Mason (1260).
• Incoming NC State students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 27 at Mason).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 1300/1470; George Mason University 1160/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 28/32; George Mason University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NC State - Test optional; Mason - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NC State Jan 15, 2027; Mason Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NC State students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Mason (3.68).
• Mason has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than NC State (41.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.8% at NC State vs. 20.2% at Mason.

NC State vs. Mason Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NC 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).

• North Carolina State University at Raleigh's six-year graduation rate (72%) is higher than George Mason University's (64%).
• Graduates from George Mason University earn a median of about $4,700 more per year than NC State graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $57,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, George Mason University graduates have a $1,032 lower median loan debt than NC State graduates ($19,750 vs. $20,782).
• Among borrowers, Mason graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NC State graduates ($204 vs. $214).
• More NC State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mason students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.