Rowan University vs. Mason

Deciding between Rowan University and George Mason University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Rowan University
George Mason University

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Rowan University Glassboro, NJ
  • Mason Fairfax, VA
  • Setting
  • Rowan University Large Suburban
  • Mason Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Rowan University 21,026
  • Mason 39,766
  • Type
  • Rowan University Public 4 Year
  • Mason Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Rowan University #270
  • Mason #243
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Rowan University -
  • Mason -
  • Status
  • Rowan University Non-profit
  • Mason Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Rowan University
  • Mason
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Rowan University $16,574
  • Mason $14,220
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Rowan University $26,932
  • Mason $38,688
  • Room & Board
  • Rowan University $16,928
  • Mason $15,725
  • Average Net Price
  • Rowan University $23,761
  • Mason $18,823
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Rowan University $12,419
  • Mason $12,852
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Rowan University 93%
  • Mason 71%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Rowan University 19,593
  • Mason 25,234
  • Admitted
  • Rowan University 15,216
  • Mason 22,074
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Rowan University 77.7%
  • Mason 87.5%
  • Enrolled
  • Rowan University 23%
  • Mason 20.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Rowan University 1210
  • Mason 1260
  • Typical ACT score
  • Rowan University 26
  • Mason 27
  • Average High School GPA
  • Rowan University 3.44
  • Mason 3.68
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Rowan University B+
  • Mason A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Rowan University Challenging
  • Mason Difficult
  • Applicant Competition
  • Rowan University
  • Mason
  • ACT Range
  • Rowan University 23/29
  • Mason 25/30
  • SAT Range
  • Rowan University 1110/1310
  • Mason 1160/1360
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Rowan University Test optional
  • Mason Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Rowan University
  • Mason Feb 1, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Rowan University 17:1
  • Mason 16:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Rowan University
    • Education (17%)
    • Business (16%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
    • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Mason
    • Business (23%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • English and Literature (10%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Rowan University 68%
  • Mason 64%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Rowan University $53,300
  • Mason $61,900
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Rowan University 67%
  • Mason 73%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Rowan University $20,000
  • Mason $19,750
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Rowan University $206
  • Mason $204
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Rowan University 49%
  • Mason 49%
  • % Women
  • Rowan University 51%
  • Mason 51%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Rowan University Medium
  • Mason Very High
  • HBCU
  • Rowan University No
  • Mason No
  • % White
  • Rowan University 69%
  • Mason 43%
  • % Asian
  • Rowan University 4%
  • Mason 19%
  • % Black
  • Rowan University 10%
  • Mason 11%
  • % Hispanic
  • Rowan University 10%
  • Mason 13%
  • % Native American
  • Rowan University 0%
  • Mason 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Rowan University 0%
  • Mason 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Rowan University 3%
  • Mason 5%
  • % International
  • Rowan University 1%
  • Mason 5%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Rowan University 3%
  • Mason 5%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Rowan University 89%
  • Mason 77%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Rowan University 7%
  • Mason 14%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Rowan University Yes
  • Mason Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Rowan University No
  • Mason No
  • Meal Plan
  • Rowan University Yes
  • Mason Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Rowan University No
  • Mason No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Rowan University Yes
  • Mason Yes

Comparable Facts

Compare Rowan University in Glassboro, NJ 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 Rowan University based on total student enrollment (39,766 students vs. 21,026 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Rowan University is located in Glassboro, NJ (Large Suburban setting); George Mason University is in Fairfax, VA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Rowan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. George Mason University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Rowan University 17:1; George Mason University 16:1.

Rowan University vs. Mason Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rowan University 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 Rowan University ($18,823 vs. $23,761).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at George Mason University are 7.1% lower than at Rowan University ($15,725 vs. $16,928).
  • Rowan University is 16.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mason (about $2,354 more per year; $16,574.00 vs. $14,220.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 43.7% higher at Mason than at Rowan University (about $11,756 more per year; $38,688.00 vs. $26,932.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rowan University than at George Mason University (93% vs. 71%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by George Mason University students is 3.5% larger than aid received by Rowan University students ($12,852 vs. $12,419).

Rowan University vs. Mason Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Rowan University 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 Rowan University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at George Mason University (1260) is 50 points higher than at Rowan University (1210).
  • Incoming Mason students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 26 at Rowan University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rowan University 1110/1310; George Mason University 1160/1360.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rowan University 23/29; George Mason University 25/30.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Rowan University - Test optional; Mason - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Mason Feb 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Mason students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Rowan University (3.44).
  • Mason has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than Rowan University (77.7%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23% at Rowan University vs. 20.2% at Mason.

Rowan University vs. Mason Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Rowan University 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).

  • Rowan University's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than George Mason University's (64%).
  • Graduates from George Mason University earn a median of about $8,600 more per year than Rowan University graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $53,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, George Mason University graduates have a $250 lower median loan debt than Rowan University graduates ($19,750 vs. $20,000).
  • Among borrowers, Mason graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Rowan University graduates ($204 vs. $206).
  • More Mason graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rowan University students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 67%)

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.