Penn State Beaver vs. Mason

Comparable Facts

Compare Penn State Beaver in Monaca, PA 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 Penn State Beaver based on total student enrollment (39,766 students vs. 482 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Penn State Beaver is located in Monaca, PA (Large Suburban setting); George Mason University is in Fairfax, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• Penn State Beaver is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. George Mason University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Penn State Beaver 12:1; George Mason University 16:1.

Penn State Beaver vs. Mason Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Beaver 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 Penn State Beaver than Mason ($18,581 vs. $18,823).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Beaver are 8% lower than at George Mason University ($14,474 vs. $15,725).
• Penn State Beaver is 1.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mason (about $188 more per year; $14,408.00 vs. $14,220.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 60.3% higher at Mason than at Penn State Beaver (about $14,554 more per year; $38,688.00 vs. $24,134.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Beaver than at George Mason University (88% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by George Mason University students is 42.1% larger than aid received by Penn State Beaver students ($12,852 vs. $9,045).

Penn State Beaver vs. Mason Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Penn State Beaver 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 Penn State Beaver.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at George Mason University (1260) is 70 points higher than at Penn State Beaver (1190).
• Incoming Mason students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at Penn State Beaver).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Beaver 1080/1290; George Mason University 1160/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Beaver 24/27; George Mason University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State Beaver - Test optional; Mason - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mason Feb 1, 2027.
• Penn State Beaver has a higher acceptance rate (95.7%) than Mason (87.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.5% at Penn State Beaver vs. 20.2% at Mason.

Penn State Beaver vs. Mason Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State Beaver 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 Penn State Beaver's (47%).
• Graduates from George Mason University earn a median of about $6,600 more per year than Penn State Beaver graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, George Mason University graduates have a $7,068 lower median loan debt than Penn State Beaver graduates ($19,750 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Mason graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Beaver graduates ($204 vs. $277).
• More Mason graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Beaver students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 69%)

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.