UC vs. Mason

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Cincinnati Main Campus in Cincinnati, OH with George Mason University in Fairfax, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Cincinnati Main Campus is larger than Mason based on total student enrollment (45,026 students vs. 39,766 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Cincinnati Main Campus is located in Cincinnati, OH (Large City setting); George Mason University is in Fairfax, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Cincinnati Main Campus 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 Cincinnati Main Campus 19:1; George Mason University 16:1.

UC vs. Mason Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC 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 UC ($18,823 vs. $24,696).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Cincinnati Main Campus are 13.7% lower than at George Mason University ($13,564 vs. $15,725).
• George Mason University is 1.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC (about $244 more per year; $14,220.00 vs. $13,976.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 32% higher at Mason than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (about $9,378 more per year; $38,688.00 vs. $29,310.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Cincinnati Main Campus than at George Mason University (73% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by George Mason University students is 56.8% larger than aid received by University of Cincinnati Main Campus students ($12,852 vs. $8,196).

UC vs. Mason Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UC 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 UC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (1270) is 10 points higher than at Mason (1260).
• Incoming Mason students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 26 at UC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Cincinnati Main Campus 1160/1370; George Mason University 1160/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Cincinnati Main Campus 24/29; George Mason University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC - Test optional; Mason - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Mar 1, 2027; Mason Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UC students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Mason (3.68).
• Mason has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than UC (85.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at UC vs. 20.2% at Mason.

UC vs. Mason Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC 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 Cincinnati Main Campus's (59%).
• Graduates from George Mason University earn a median of about $16,300 more per year than UC graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $45,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, George Mason University graduates have a $3,250 lower median loan debt than UC graduates ($19,750 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, Mason graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC graduates ($204 vs. $237).
• More Mason graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 57%)

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.