UH vs. Mason

Comparable Facts

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

University of Houston is larger than Mason based on total student enrollment (47,980 students vs. 39,766 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Houston is located in Houston, TX (Large City setting); George Mason University is in Fairfax, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Houston 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 Houston 22:1; George Mason University 16:1.

UH vs. Mason Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UH 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 Houston than Mason ($14,309 vs. $18,823).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Houston are 28.2% lower than at George Mason University ($11,286 vs. $15,725).
• George Mason University is 46.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UH (about $4,503 more per year; $14,220.00 vs. $9,717.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 71.6% higher at Mason than at University of Houston (about $16,141 more per year; $38,688.00 vs. $22,547.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Houston than at George Mason University (74% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by George Mason University students is 5.7% larger than aid received by University of Houston students ($12,852 vs. $12,159).

UH vs. Mason Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UH 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 UH.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at George Mason University (1260) is 10 points higher than at UH (1250).
• Incoming Mason students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 26 at UH).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Houston 1160/1340; George Mason University 1160/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Houston 23/29; George Mason University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UH - Test optional; Mason - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UH May 31, 2027; Mason Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mason students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at UH (3.46).
• Mason has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than UH (73.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.5% at UH vs. 20.2% at Mason.

UH vs. Mason Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UH 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 Houston's (46%).
• Graduates from George Mason University earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than UH graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $59,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, George Mason University and UH graduates have the same median loan debt ($19,750 vs. $19,750).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, George Mason University and UH graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($204 vs. $204).
• More Mason graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UH students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 61%)

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.