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ISU JMU VCU IU Virginia Tech CNU Purdue University of Missouri-Columbia Nebraska UNI Old Dominion Wisconsin| University of Iowa | George Mason University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
Iowa | Mason | ||
| Location | Iowa City, IA | Fairfax, VA | ||
| Setting | Small City | Large Suburban | ||
| Enrollment | 30,015 | 39,049 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #224 | #228 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | uiowa.edu | gmu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Iowa | Mason | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $8,711 | $9,795 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $30,674 | $35,377 | ||
| Room & Board | $11,476 | $13,120 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $19,587 | $18,479 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $9,959 | $10,760 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 82% | 74% |
Admission |
Iowa | Mason | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 25,729 | 20,001 | ||
| Admitted | 22,128 | 18,001 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 86% | 90% | ||
| Enrolled % | 23.4% | 23% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.81 | 3.68 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | A- | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Challenging | Difficult | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 22/28 | 25/31 | ||
| SAT Range | 1130/1340 | 1140/1350 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | ||
| Application Deadline | May 1, 2025 | Feb 1, 2025 |
Academics |
Iowa | Mason | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 16:1 | 16:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Iowa | Mason | ||
| Graduation Rate | 71% | 64% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $59,800 | $61,900 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 70% | 73% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $21,616 | $19,750 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $223 | $204 |
Diversity |
Iowa | Mason | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 44% | 48% | ||
| % Women | 56% | 52% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Medium | Very High | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 67% | 43% | ||
| % Black | 3% | 11% | ||
| % Hispanic | 7% | 13% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 3% | 5% | ||
| % International | 12% | 5% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 4% | 5% |
Students |
Iowa | Mason | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 54% | 77% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 45% | 17% | ||
Campus |
Iowa | Mason | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | Yes | Yes | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- George Mason University is larger than than Iowa based on total student enrollment (39,049 students vs. 30,015 students)
Iowa vs. Mason Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Iowa or Mason?
- George Mason University is 12.4% more expensive to attend than Iowa for in-state tuition ($9,795.00 vs. $8,711.00)
- Out of state tuition is 15.3% higher at Mason than University of Iowa ($35,377.00 vs. $30,674.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at George Mason University than Iowa ($18,479 vs. $19,587)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Iowa are 14.3% lower than costs at George Mason University ($11,476 vs. $13,120)
- More students receive financial grant aid at University of Iowa than George Mason University (82% vs. 74%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by George Mason University students is 8% larger than aid received University of Iowa ($10,760 vs. $9,959)
Iowa vs. Mason Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Iowa or Mason? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Mason or Iowa .
- The average SAT score at University of Iowa (1164) is 11 points higher than at Mason (1153)
- Incoming Iowa students have at the same average ACT score (26) as students at Mason (26)
- Accepted freshman Iowa students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Mason (3.68)
- Mason has a higher acceptance rate (90%) than Iowa (86%)
Iowa vs. Mason Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Iowa or Mason? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Mason and Iowa.
- The graduation rate at Iowa is higher than George Mason University (71% vs. 64%)
- Graduates from George Mason University earn on average $2,100 more per year than Iowa graduates after ten years. ($61,900 vs. $59,800)
- George Mason University students graduate with a $1,866 lower median federal student loan debt than Iowa graduates. ($19,750 vs. $21,616)
- Mason graduates are paying $19 less per month on federal student loans than Iowa graduates. ($204 vs. $223)
- More Mason graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Iowa students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 70%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/