SUNY-ESF vs. Mason

Comparable Facts

Compare SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, 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 SUNY-ESF based on total student enrollment (39,766 students vs. 2,757 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is located in Syracuse, NY (Midsize City setting); George Mason University is in Fairfax, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. George Mason University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 14:1; George Mason University 16:1.

SUNY-ESF vs. Mason Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SUNY-ESF 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 SUNY-ESF ($18,823 vs. $19,814).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at George Mason University are 13% lower than at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry ($15,725 vs. $18,080).
• George Mason University is 52.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY-ESF (about $4,917 more per year; $14,220.00 vs. $9,303.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 73.8% higher at Mason than at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (about $16,425 more per year; $38,688.00 vs. $22,263.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry than at George Mason University (96% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by George Mason University students is 47.7% larger than aid received by SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry students ($12,852 vs. $8,699).

SUNY-ESF vs. Mason Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SUNY-ESF 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 SUNY-ESF.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at George Mason University (1260) is 40 points higher than at SUNY-ESF (1220).
• Incoming SUNY-ESF students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 27) as students at Mason (27).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 1130/1300; George Mason University 1160/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 24/30; George Mason University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SUNY-ESF - Test-free; Mason - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SUNY-ESF Feb 1, 2027; Mason Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SUNY-ESF 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 (87.5%) than SUNY-ESF (63.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.6% at SUNY-ESF vs. 20.2% at Mason.

SUNY-ESF vs. Mason Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SUNY-ESF 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).

• SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than George Mason University's (64%).
• Graduates from George Mason University earn a median of about $15,700 more per year than SUNY-ESF graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $46,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, George Mason University and SUNY-ESF graduates have the same median loan debt ($19,750 vs. $19,750).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, George Mason University and SUNY-ESF graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($204 vs. $204).
• More SUNY-ESF graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mason students, three years after graduation. (78% 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.