UMBC vs. Mason

Should I go to University of Maryland Baltimore County or George Mason University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if UMBC or Mason is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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University of Maryland Baltimore County vs. George Mason University comparison
University of Maryland Baltimore County George Mason University College 3 College 4
University of Maryland Baltimore County George Mason University
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Overview

 UMBC Mason
Location Baltimore, MD Fairfax, VA
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 13,991 39,049
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #303 #228
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website umbc.edu gmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 UMBC Mason
Tuition (In State) $9,056 $9,795
Tuition (Out of State) $25,820 $35,377
Room & Board $13,378 $13,120
Avg Net Price $17,692 $18,479
Avg Grant Aid $8,889 $10,760
% Receiving Grant Aid 92% 74%

Admission

 UMBC Mason
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 11,534 20,001
Admitted 9,291 18,001
Acceptance Rate 80.6% 90%
Enrolled % 23.1% 23%
Avg High School GPA 3.97 3.68
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/29 25/31
SAT Range 1210/1390 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 Feb 1, 2025 Feb 1, 2025

Academics

 UMBC Mason
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Computer and Information Sciences (17%)
  • Social Sciences (17%)
  • Biology (13%)
  • Psychology (12%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • English and Literature (10%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)

Outcomes

 UMBC Mason
Graduation Rate 57% 64%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $59,500 $61,900
Making Student Loan Payments 67% 73%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,197 $19,750
Median Loan Payment $219 $204

Diversity

 UMBC Mason
% Men 53% 48%
% Women 47% 52%
Racial Diversity Very High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 44% 43%
% Black 17% 11%
% Hispanic 6% 13%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 5%
% International 4% 5%
% Unknown Race 4% 5%

Students

 UMBC Mason
% In-State 90% 77%
% Out-of-State 5% 17%

Campus

 UMBC 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 UMBC based on total student enrollment (39,049 students vs. 13,991 students)

UMBC vs. Mason Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMBC or Mason?

  • George Mason University is 8.2% more expensive to attend than UMBC for in-state tuition ($9,795.00 vs. $9,056.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 37% higher at Mason than University of Maryland Baltimore County ($35,377.00 vs. $25,820.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Maryland Baltimore County than Mason ($17,692 vs. $18,479)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at George Mason University are 2% lower than costs at University of Maryland Baltimore County ($13,120 vs. $13,378)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Maryland Baltimore County than George Mason University (92% vs. 74%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by George Mason University students is 21% larger than aid received University of Maryland Baltimore County ($10,760 vs. $8,889)

UMBC vs. Mason Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UMBC or Mason? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Mason or UMBC .

  • The average SAT score at University of Maryland Baltimore County (1209) is 56 points higher than at Mason (1153)
  • Incoming UMBC students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at Mason (26)
  • Accepted freshman UMBC students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Mason (3.68)
  • Mason has a higher acceptance rate (90%) than UMBC (80.6%)

UMBC vs. Mason Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, UMBC 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 UMBC.

  • The graduation rate at Mason is higher than University of Maryland Baltimore County (64% vs. 57%)
  • Graduates from George Mason University earn on average $2,400 more per year than UMBC graduates after ten years. ($61,900 vs. $59,500)
  • George Mason University students graduate with a $1,447 lower median federal student loan debt than UMBC graduates. ($19,750 vs. $21,197)
  • Mason graduates are paying $15 less per month on federal student loans than UMBC graduates. ($204 vs. $219)
  • More Mason graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMBC students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 67%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/