Trinity College vs. Mason

Deciding between Trinity 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.

Trinity College
George Mason University

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Trinity College Hartford, CT
  • Mason Fairfax, VA
  • Setting
  • Trinity College Midsize City
  • Mason Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Trinity College 2,238
  • Mason 39,766
  • Type
  • Trinity College Private 4 Year
  • Mason Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Trinity College #47
  • Mason #243
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Trinity College -
  • Mason -
  • Status
  • Trinity College Non-profit
  • Mason Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Trinity College
  • Mason

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Trinity College $70,770
  • Mason $14,220
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Trinity College $70,770
  • Mason $38,688
  • Room & Board
  • Trinity College $18,890
  • Mason $15,725
  • Average Net Price
  • Trinity College $36,071
  • Mason $18,823
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Trinity College $51,754
  • Mason $12,852
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Trinity College 73%
  • Mason 71%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Trinity College 7,460
  • Mason 25,234
  • Admitted
  • Trinity College 2,182
  • Mason 22,074
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Trinity College 29.2%
  • Mason 87.5%
  • Enrolled
  • Trinity College 24.8%
  • Mason 20.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Trinity College 1380
  • Mason 1260
  • Typical ACT score
  • Trinity College 32
  • Mason 27
  • Average High School GPA
  • Trinity College 3.8
  • Mason 3.68
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Trinity College A-
  • Mason A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Trinity College Exceptional
  • Mason Difficult
  • Applicant Competition
  • Trinity College High
  • Mason
  • ACT Range
  • Trinity College 30/34
  • Mason 25/30
  • SAT Range
  • Trinity College 1298/1470
  • Mason 1160/1360
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Trinity College Test optional
  • Mason Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Trinity College Jan 17, 2027
  • Mason Feb 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Trinity College 9:1
  • Mason 16:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Trinity College
    • Social Sciences (31%)
    • Ethnic Studies (9%)
    • History (7%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
    • Biology (6%)
  • Mason
    • Business (23%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • English and Literature (10%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Trinity College 86%
  • Mason 64%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Trinity College $71,500
  • Mason $61,900
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Trinity College 81%
  • Mason 73%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Trinity College $21,000
  • Mason $19,750
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Trinity College $217
  • Mason $204

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Trinity College 47%
  • Mason 49%
  • % Women
  • Trinity College 53%
  • Mason 51%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Trinity College Medium
  • Mason Very High
  • HBCU
  • Trinity College No
  • Mason No
  • % White
  • Trinity College 65%
  • Mason 43%
  • % Asian
  • Trinity College 4%
  • Mason 19%
  • % Black
  • Trinity College 6%
  • Mason 11%
  • % Hispanic
  • Trinity College 7%
  • Mason 13%
  • % Native American
  • Trinity College 0%
  • Mason 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Trinity College 0%
  • Mason 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Trinity College 3%
  • Mason 5%
  • % International
  • Trinity College 10%
  • Mason 5%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Trinity College 5%
  • Mason 5%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Trinity College 15%
  • Mason 77%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Trinity College 73%
  • Mason 14%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare Trinity College in Hartford, CT 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 Trinity College based on total student enrollment (39,766 students vs. 2,238 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Trinity College is located in Hartford, CT (Midsize City setting); George Mason University is in Fairfax, VA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Trinity College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. George Mason University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Trinity College 9:1; George Mason University 16:1.

Trinity College vs. Mason Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Trinity 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 Trinity College ($18,823 vs. $36,071).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at George Mason University are 16.8% lower than at Trinity College ($15,725 vs. $18,890).
  • Trinity College is 397.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mason (about $56,550 more per year; $70,770.00 vs. $14,220.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 82.9% higher at Trinity College than at George Mason University (about $32,082 more per year; $70,770.00 vs. $38,688.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Trinity College than at George Mason University (73% vs. 71%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Trinity College students is 302.7% larger than aid received by George Mason University students ($51,754 vs. $12,852).

Trinity College vs. Mason Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Trinity College (1380) is 120 points higher than at Mason (1260).
  • Incoming Trinity 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: Trinity College 1298/1470; George Mason University 1160/1360.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Trinity College 30/34; George Mason University 25/30.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Trinity College - Test optional; Mason - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Trinity College Jan 17, 2027; Mason Feb 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Trinity College students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Mason (3.68).
  • Mason has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than Trinity College (29.2%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.8% at Trinity College vs. 20.2% at Mason.

Trinity College vs. Mason Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Trinity 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).

  • Trinity College's six-year graduation rate (86%) is higher than George Mason University's (64%).
  • Graduates from Trinity College earn a median of about $9,600 more per year than Mason graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,500 vs. $61,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, George Mason University graduates have a $1,250 lower median loan debt than Trinity College graduates ($19,750 vs. $21,000).
  • Among borrowers, Mason graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Trinity College graduates ($204 vs. $217).
  • More Trinity College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mason students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.