NC State vs. Mason

Should I go to North Carolina State University at Raleigh or George Mason University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if NC State or Mason is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

JMU Clemson UNC Chapel Hill Virginia Tech UNC Charlotte VCU UofSC Penn State ASU CNU ECU Ohio State
North Carolina State University at Raleigh vs. George Mason University comparison
North Carolina State University at Raleigh George Mason University College 3 College 4
North Carolina State University at Raleigh George Mason University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

NC State Mason
Location Raleigh, NC Fairfax, VA
Setting Large City Large Suburban
Enrollment 36,700 39,049
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #123 #228
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ncsu.edu gmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NC State Mason
Tuition (In State) $6,535 $9,795
Tuition (Out of State) $28,276 $35,377
Room & Board $12,748 $13,120
Avg Net Price $14,852 $18,479
Avg Grant Aid $9,181 $10,760
% Receiving Grant Aid 71% 74%

Admission

NC State Mason
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 35,568 20,001
Admitted 16,779 18,001
Acceptance Rate 47.2% 90%
Enrolled % 33.5% 23%
Avg High School GPA 3.83 3.68
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Exceptional Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 28/33 25/31
SAT Range 1280/1460 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 Jan 15, 2025 Feb 1, 2025

Academics

NC State Mason
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Engineering (22%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Biology (11%)
  • Agriculture (9%)
  • Social Sciences (5%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • English and Literature (10%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)

Outcomes

NC State Mason
Graduation Rate 72% 64%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $57,200 $61,900
Making Student Loan Payments 76% 73%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,782 $19,750
Median Loan Payment $214 $204

Diversity

NC State Mason
% Men 51% 48%
% Women 49% 52%
Racial Diversity Low Very High
HBCU No No
% White 74% 43%
% Black 6% 11%
% Hispanic 5% 13%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 5%
% International 4% 5%
% Unknown Race 2% 5%

Students

NC State Mason
% In-State 83% 77%
% Out-of-State 14% 17%

Campus

NC State Mason
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • George Mason University is larger than than NC State based on total student enrollment (39,049 students vs. 36,700 students)

NC State vs. Mason Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NC State or Mason?

  • George Mason University is 49.9% more expensive to attend than NC State for in-state tuition ($9,795.00 vs. $6,535.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 25.1% higher at Mason than North Carolina State University at Raleigh ($35,377.00 vs. $28,276.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at North Carolina State University at Raleigh than Mason ($14,852 vs. $18,479)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh are 2.9% lower than costs at George Mason University ($12,748 vs. $13,120)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at George Mason University than North Carolina State University at Raleigh (74% vs. 71%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by George Mason University students is 17.2% larger than aid received North Carolina State University at Raleigh ($10,760 vs. $9,181)

NC State vs. Mason Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NC State or Mason? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Mason or NC State .

  • The average SAT score at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (1264) is 111 points higher than at Mason (1153)
  • Incoming NC State students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (29) than students at Mason (26)
  • 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 (90%) than NC State (47.2%)

NC State vs. Mason Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NC 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 NC State.

  • The graduation rate at NC State is higher than George Mason University (72% vs. 64%)
  • Graduates from George Mason University earn on average $4,700 more per year than NC State graduates after ten years. ($61,900 vs. $57,200)
  • George Mason University students graduate with a $1,032 lower median federal student loan debt than NC State graduates. ($19,750 vs. $20,782)
  • Mason graduates are paying $10 less per month on federal student loans 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/