St. Mary's vs. Mason

Comparable Facts

Compare St. Mary's College of Maryland in St. Mary's City, 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 St. Mary's based on total student enrollment (39,766 students vs. 1,630 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• St. Mary's College of Maryland is located in St. Mary's City, MD (Distant Rural setting); George Mason University is in Fairfax, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• St. Mary's College of Maryland is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. George Mason University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: St. Mary's College of Maryland 10:1; George Mason University 16:1.

St. Mary's vs. Mason Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, St. Mary's 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 St. Mary's ($18,823 vs. $21,071).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at George Mason University are 2.2% lower than at St. Mary's College of Maryland ($15,725 vs. $16,079).
• St. Mary's College of Maryland is 7.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mason (about $1,078 more per year; $15,298.00 vs. $14,220.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.3% higher at Mason than at St. Mary's College of Maryland (about $7,314 more per year; $38,688.00 vs. $31,374.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St. Mary's College of Maryland than at George Mason University (98% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by George Mason University students is 12.8% larger than aid received by St. Mary's College of Maryland students ($12,852 vs. $11,398).

St. Mary's vs. Mason Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, St. Mary's 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 St. Mary's.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at George Mason University (1260) is 20 points higher than at St. Mary's (1240).
• Incoming St. Mary's students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 27 at Mason).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St. Mary's College of Maryland 1143/1340; George Mason University 1160/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St. Mary's College of Maryland 26/31; George Mason University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: St. Mary's - Test optional; Mason - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: St. Mary's Jan 15, 2027; Mason Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mason students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at St. Mary's (3.45).
• Mason has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than St. Mary's (68.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.3% at St. Mary's vs. 20.2% at Mason.

St. Mary's vs. Mason Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for St. Mary's 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).

• St. Mary's College of Maryland's six-year graduation rate (79%) is higher than George Mason University's (64%).
• Graduates from George Mason University earn a median of about $10,400 more per year than St. Mary's graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $51,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, George Mason University graduates have a $620 lower median loan debt than St. Mary's graduates ($19,750 vs. $20,370).
• Among borrowers, Mason graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St. Mary's graduates ($204 vs. $210).
• More St. Mary's graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mason students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.