RIT vs. Mason

Should I go to Rochester Institute of Technology or George Mason University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if RIT 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.
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Rochester Institute of Technology vs. George Mason University comparison
Rochester Institute of Technology George Mason University College 3 College 4
Rochester Institute of Technology George Mason University
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Overview

 RIT Mason
Location Rochester, NY Fairfax, VA
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 16,615 39,049
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #172 #228
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website rit.edu gmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 RIT Mason
Tuition (In State) $53,720 $9,795
Tuition (Out of State) $53,720 $35,377
Room & Board $14,978 $13,120
Avg Net Price $39,600 $18,479
Avg Grant Aid $29,122 $10,760
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 74%

Admission

 RIT Mason
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 23,976 20,001
Admitted 16,105 18,001
Acceptance Rate 67.2% 90%
Enrolled % 19.9% 23%
Avg High School GPA 3.7 3.68
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Exceptional Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 29/33 25/31
SAT Range 1270/1450 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

 RIT Mason
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Visual and Performing Arts (16%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (14%)
  • Engineering (13%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Engineering Technology (11%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • English and Literature (10%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)

Outcomes

 RIT Mason
Graduation Rate 64% 64%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $64,900 $61,900
Making Student Loan Payments 75% 73%
Median Student Loan Debt $28,000 $19,750
Median Loan Payment $289 $204

Diversity

 RIT Mason
% Men 65% 48%
% Women 35% 52%
Racial Diversity Medium Very High
HBCU No No
% White 66% 43%
% Black 5% 11%
% Hispanic 7% 13%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 5%
% International 6% 5%
% Unknown Race 5% 5%

Students

 RIT Mason
% In-State 47% 77%
% Out-of-State 49% 17%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • George Mason University is larger than than RIT based on total student enrollment (39,049 students vs. 16,615 students)

RIT vs. Mason Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RIT or Mason?

  • Rochester Institute of Technology is 448.4% more expensive to attend than Mason for in-state tuition ($53,720.00 vs. $9,795.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 51.9% higher at RIT than George Mason University ($53,720.00 vs. $35,377.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at George Mason University than RIT ($18,479 vs. $39,600)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at George Mason University are 14.2% lower than costs at Rochester Institute of Technology ($13,120 vs. $14,978)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Rochester Institute of Technology than George Mason University (97% vs. 74%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rochester Institute of Technology students is 170.7% larger than aid received George Mason University ($29,122 vs. $10,760)

RIT vs. Mason Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Rochester Institute of Technology (1251) is 98 points higher than at Mason (1153)
  • Incoming RIT students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (29) than students at Mason (26)
  • Accepted freshman RIT students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Mason (3.68)
  • Mason has a higher acceptance rate (90%) than RIT (67.2%)

RIT vs. Mason Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, RIT 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 RIT .

  • The graduation rate at RIT is the same as at George Mason University (64% vs. 64%)
  • Graduates from Rochester Institute of Technology earn on average $3,000 more per year than Mason graduates after ten years. ($64,900 vs. $61,900)
  • George Mason University students graduate with a $8,250 lower median federal student loan debt than RIT graduates. ($19,750 vs. $28,000)
  • Mason graduates are paying $85 less per month on federal student loans than RIT graduates. ($204 vs. $289)
  • More RIT graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mason students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 73%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/