Annapolis vs. Mason

Deciding between United States Naval Academy 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.

United States Naval Academy
George Mason University

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Annapolis Annapolis, Maryland
  • Mason Fairfax, VA
  • Setting
  • Annapolis Large Suburban
  • Mason Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Annapolis 4,474
  • Mason 39,766
  • Type
  • Annapolis Public 4 Year
  • Mason Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Annapolis
  • Mason #243
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Annapolis -
  • Mason -
  • Status
  • Annapolis Non-profit
  • Mason Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Annapolis
  • Mason

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Annapolis $0
  • Mason $14,220
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Annapolis $0
  • Mason $38,688
  • Room & Board
  • Annapolis $0
  • Mason $15,725
  • Average Net Price
  • Annapolis -
  • Mason $18,823
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Annapolis $0
  • Mason $12,852
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Annapolis 0%
  • Mason 71%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Annapolis 15,149
  • Mason 25,234
  • Admitted
  • Annapolis 1,405
  • Mason 22,074
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Annapolis 9.3%
  • Mason 87.5%
  • Enrolled
  • Annapolis 84.2%
  • Mason 20.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Annapolis 1310
  • Mason 1260
  • Typical ACT score
  • Annapolis 28
  • Mason 27
  • Average High School GPA
  • Annapolis 3.8
  • Mason 3.68
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Annapolis A-
  • Mason A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Annapolis Very High
  • Mason Difficult
  • Applicant Competition
  • Annapolis Extreme
  • Mason
  • ACT Range
  • Annapolis 25/31
  • Mason 25/30
  • SAT Range
  • Annapolis 1210/1410
  • Mason 1160/1360
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Annapolis Required
  • Mason Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Annapolis Jan 31, 2027
  • Mason Feb 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Annapolis 8:1
  • Mason 16:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Annapolis
    • Engineering (30%)
    • Social Sciences (30%)
    • Physical Sciences (17%)
    • History (9%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
  • Mason
    • Business (23%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • English and Literature (10%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Annapolis -
  • Mason 64%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Annapolis N/A
  • Mason $61,900
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Annapolis -
  • Mason 73%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Annapolis N/A
  • Mason $19,750
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Annapolis N/A
  • Mason $204

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Annapolis 70%
  • Mason 49%
  • % Women
  • Annapolis 30%
  • Mason 51%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Annapolis -
  • Mason Very High
  • HBCU
  • Annapolis No
  • Mason No
  • % White
  • Annapolis 0%
  • Mason 43%
  • % Asian
  • Annapolis 0%
  • Mason 19%
  • % Black
  • Annapolis 0%
  • Mason 11%
  • % Hispanic
  • Annapolis 0%
  • Mason 13%
  • % Native American
  • Annapolis 0%
  • Mason 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Annapolis 0%
  • Mason 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Annapolis 0%
  • Mason 5%
  • % International
  • Annapolis 0%
  • Mason 5%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Annapolis 0%
  • Mason 5%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Annapolis 7%
  • Mason 77%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Annapolis 91%
  • Mason 14%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland 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 Annapolis based on total student enrollment (39,766 students vs. 4,474 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • United States Naval Academy is located in Annapolis, Maryland (Large Suburban setting); George Mason University is in Fairfax, VA (Large Suburban setting).
  • United States Naval Academy is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. George Mason University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: United States Naval Academy 8:1; George Mason University 16:1.

Annapolis vs. Mason Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Annapolis or Mason? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • In-state tuition differs between George Mason University and Annapolis ($14,220.00 vs. $0.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition differs between Mason and United States Naval Academy ($38,688.00 vs. $0.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at George Mason University than at United States Naval Academy (71% vs. 0%).

Annapolis vs. Mason Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Annapolis 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 Annapolis.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at United States Naval Academy (1310) is 50 points higher than at Mason (1260).
  • Incoming Annapolis 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: United States Naval Academy 1210/1410; George Mason University 1160/1360.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: United States Naval Academy 25/31; George Mason University 25/30.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Annapolis - Required; Mason - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Annapolis Jan 31, 2027; Mason Feb 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Annapolis 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 Annapolis (9.3%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 84.2% at Annapolis vs. 20.2% at Mason.

Annapolis vs. Mason Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Annapolis 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).

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.