Salisbury vs. Mason

Comparable Facts

Compare Salisbury University in Salisbury, MD 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 Salisbury based on total student enrollment (39,766 students vs. 7,025 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salisbury University is located in Salisbury, MD (Small Suburban setting); George Mason University is in Fairfax, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• Salisbury University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. George Mason University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salisbury University 14:1; George Mason University 16:1.

Salisbury vs. Mason Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salisbury 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 Salisbury University than Mason ($18,760 vs. $18,823).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salisbury University are 11.6% lower than at George Mason University ($13,900 vs. $15,725).
• George Mason University is 28.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salisbury (about $3,136 more per year; $14,220.00 vs. $11,084.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 74.5% higher at Mason than at Salisbury University (about $16,514 more per year; $38,688.00 vs. $22,174.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salisbury University than at George Mason University (88% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by George Mason University students is 40.9% larger than aid received by Salisbury University students ($12,852 vs. $9,124).

Salisbury vs. Mason Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Salisbury 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 Salisbury.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at George Mason University (1260) is 10 points higher than at Salisbury (1250).
• Incoming Mason students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 24 at Salisbury).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salisbury University 1180/1320; George Mason University 1160/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salisbury University 20/29; George Mason University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salisbury - Test optional; Mason - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Salisbury Jan 15, 2027; Mason Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Salisbury students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Mason (3.68).
• Mason has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than Salisbury (87.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.4% at Salisbury vs. 20.2% at Mason.

Salisbury vs. Mason Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salisbury 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).

• Salisbury University's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than George Mason University's (64%).
• Graduates from George Mason University earn a median of about $9,900 more per year than Salisbury graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $52,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, George Mason University graduates have a $403 lower median loan debt than Salisbury graduates ($19,750 vs. $20,153).
• Among borrowers, Mason graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salisbury graduates ($204 vs. $208).
• More Mason graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salisbury students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 68%)

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.