Penn State Harrisburg vs. Mason

Comparable Facts

Compare Penn State Harrisburg in Middletown, 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 Harrisburg based on total student enrollment (39,766 students vs. 4,478 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Penn State Harrisburg is located in Middletown, PA (Large Suburban setting); George Mason University is in Fairfax, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• Penn State Harrisburg 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 Harrisburg 15:1; George Mason University 16:1.

Penn State Harrisburg vs. Mason Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Harrisburg 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 Penn State Harrisburg ($18,823 vs. $23,788).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Harrisburg are 8% lower than at George Mason University ($14,474 vs. $15,725).
• Penn State Harrisburg is 12.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mason (about $1,752 more per year; $15,972.00 vs. $14,220.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 43.5% higher at Mason than at Penn State Harrisburg (about $11,730 more per year; $38,688.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at George Mason University than at Penn State Harrisburg (71% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by George Mason University students is 39% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($12,852 vs. $9,245).

Penn State Harrisburg vs. Mason Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at George Mason University (1260) is 40 points higher than at Penn State Harrisburg (1220).
• Incoming Mason students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 26 at Penn State Harrisburg).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310; George Mason University 1160/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Harrisburg 22/31; George Mason University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional; Mason - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mason Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mason students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Penn State Harrisburg (3.48).
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than Mason (87.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg vs. 20.2% at Mason.

Penn State Harrisburg vs. Mason Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State Harrisburg 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 Harrisburg's (63%).
• Graduates from George Mason University earn a median of about $6,600 more per year than Penn State Harrisburg 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 Harrisburg graduates ($19,750 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Mason graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($204 vs. $277).
• More Mason graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Harrisburg 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.