Skidmore College vs. Mason

Deciding between Skidmore College 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.

Skidmore College
George Mason University

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • Skidmore College Saratoga Springs, NY
  • Mason Fairfax, VA
  • Setting
  • Skidmore College Small Suburban
  • Mason Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Skidmore College 2,704
  • Mason 39,766
  • Type
  • Skidmore College Private 4 Year
  • Mason Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Skidmore College #54
  • Mason #243
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Skidmore College -
  • Mason -
  • Status
  • Skidmore College Non-profit
  • Mason Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Skidmore College
  • Mason

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Skidmore College $67,290
  • Mason $14,220
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Skidmore College $67,290
  • Mason $38,688
  • Room & Board
  • Skidmore College $17,940
  • Mason $15,725
  • Average Net Price
  • Skidmore College $31,187
  • Mason $18,823
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Skidmore College $54,083
  • Mason $12,852
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Skidmore College 53%
  • Mason 71%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Skidmore College 11,889
  • Mason 25,234
  • Admitted
  • Skidmore College 2,503
  • Mason 22,074
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Skidmore College 21.1%
  • Mason 87.5%
  • Enrolled
  • Skidmore College 26.6%
  • Mason 20.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Skidmore College 1410
  • Mason 1260
  • Typical ACT score
  • Skidmore College 32
  • Mason 27
  • Average High School GPA
  • Skidmore College 3.75
  • Mason 3.68
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Skidmore College A-
  • Mason A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Skidmore College Exceptional
  • Mason Difficult
  • Applicant Competition
  • Skidmore College Very High
  • Mason
  • ACT Range
  • Skidmore College 31/33
  • Mason 25/30
  • SAT Range
  • Skidmore College 1340/1480
  • Mason 1160/1360
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Skidmore College Test optional
  • Mason Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Skidmore College Jan 15, 2027
  • Mason Feb 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Skidmore College 8:1
  • Mason 16:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Skidmore College
    • Social Sciences (19%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (16%)
    • Business (10%)
    • English and Literature (10%)
    • Psychology (8%)
  • Mason
    • Business (23%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • English and Literature (10%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Skidmore College 84%
  • Mason 64%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Skidmore College $54,400
  • Mason $61,900
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Skidmore College 88%
  • Mason 73%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Skidmore College $19,500
  • Mason $19,750
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Skidmore College $201
  • Mason $204

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Skidmore College 40%
  • Mason 49%
  • % Women
  • Skidmore College 60%
  • Mason 51%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Skidmore College Medium
  • Mason Very High
  • HBCU
  • Skidmore College No
  • Mason No
  • % White
  • Skidmore College 64%
  • Mason 43%
  • % Asian
  • Skidmore College 6%
  • Mason 19%
  • % Black
  • Skidmore College 4%
  • Mason 11%
  • % Hispanic
  • Skidmore College 8%
  • Mason 13%
  • % Native American
  • Skidmore College 0%
  • Mason 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Skidmore College 0%
  • Mason 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Skidmore College 4%
  • Mason 5%
  • % International
  • Skidmore College 10%
  • Mason 5%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Skidmore College 4%
  • Mason 5%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Skidmore College 32%
  • Mason 77%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Skidmore College 62%
  • Mason 14%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY 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 Skidmore College based on total student enrollment (39,766 students vs. 2,704 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Skidmore College is located in Saratoga Springs, NY (Small Suburban setting); George Mason University is in Fairfax, VA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Skidmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. George Mason University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Skidmore College 8:1; George Mason University 16:1.

Skidmore College vs. Mason Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Skidmore College 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 Skidmore College ($18,823 vs. $31,187).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at George Mason University are 12.3% lower than at Skidmore College ($15,725 vs. $17,940).
  • Skidmore College is 373.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mason (about $53,070 more per year; $67,290.00 vs. $14,220.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 73.9% higher at Skidmore College than at George Mason University (about $28,602 more per year; $67,290.00 vs. $38,688.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at George Mason University than at Skidmore College (71% vs. 53%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Skidmore College students is 320.8% larger than aid received by George Mason University students ($54,083 vs. $12,852).

Skidmore College vs. Mason Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Skidmore College 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 Skidmore College.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Skidmore College (1410) is 150 points higher than at Mason (1260).
  • Incoming Skidmore College students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 27 at Mason).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Skidmore College 1340/1480; George Mason University 1160/1360.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Skidmore College 31/33; George Mason University 25/30.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Skidmore College - Test optional; Mason - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Skidmore College Jan 15, 2027; Mason Feb 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Skidmore College students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Mason (3.68).
  • Mason has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than Skidmore College (21.1%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.6% at Skidmore College vs. 20.2% at Mason.

Skidmore College vs. Mason Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Skidmore College 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).

  • Skidmore College's six-year graduation rate (84%) is higher than George Mason University's (64%).
  • Graduates from George Mason University earn a median of about $7,500 more per year than Skidmore College graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $54,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Skidmore College graduates have a $250 lower median loan debt than Mason graduates ($19,500 vs. $19,750).
  • Among borrowers, Skidmore College graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mason graduates ($201 vs. $204).
  • More Skidmore College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mason students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 73%)

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.