UCF vs. Mason

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Central Florida in Orlando, FL with George Mason University in Fairfax, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Central Florida is larger than Mason based on total student enrollment (69,713 students vs. 39,766 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Central Florida is located in Orlando, FL (Large Suburban setting); George Mason University is in Fairfax, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Central Florida is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. George Mason University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Central Florida 28:1; George Mason University 16:1.

UCF vs. Mason Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCF 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 University of Central Florida than Mason ($13,351 vs. $18,823).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Florida are 20.8% lower than at George Mason University ($12,452 vs. $15,725).
• George Mason University is 123.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCF (about $7,852 more per year; $14,220.00 vs. $6,368.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 72.2% higher at Mason than at University of Central Florida (about $16,221 more per year; $38,688.00 vs. $22,467.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Central Florida than at George Mason University (86% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by George Mason University students is 32.4% larger than aid received by University of Central Florida students ($12,852 vs. $9,704).

UCF vs. Mason Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCF 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 UCF.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Central Florida (1280) is 20 points higher than at Mason (1260).
• Incoming UCF 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: University of Central Florida 1200/1350; George Mason University 1160/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Florida 25/29; George Mason University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCF - Required; Mason - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCF May 1, 2027; Mason Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mason students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at UCF (3.64).
• Mason has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than UCF (40.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.5% at UCF vs. 20.2% at Mason.

UCF vs. Mason Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCF 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).

• George Mason University's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than University of Central Florida's (63%).
• Graduates from George Mason University earn a median of about $13,000 more per year than UCF graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $48,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Central Florida graduates have a $1,480 lower median loan debt than Mason graduates ($18,270 vs. $19,750).
• Among borrowers, UCF graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mason graduates ($188 vs. $204).
• More Mason graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCF students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 59%)

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.