University of North Carolina at Asheville vs. Mason

Should I go to University of North Carolina at Asheville or George Mason University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if University of North Carolina at Asheville 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 North Carolina at Asheville vs. George Mason University comparison
University of North Carolina at Asheville George Mason University College 3 College 4
University of North Carolina at Asheville George Mason University
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Overview

University of North Carolina at Asheville Mason
Location Asheville, NC Fairfax, VA
Setting Small City Large Suburban
Enrollment 2,914 39,049
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #444 #228
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website unca.edu gmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of North Carolina at Asheville Mason
Tuition (In State) $4,122 $9,795
Tuition (Out of State) $21,470 $35,377
Room & Board $10,556 $13,120
Avg Net Price $14,730 $18,479
Avg Grant Aid $6,491 $10,760
% Receiving Grant Aid 90% 74%

Admission

University of North Carolina at Asheville Mason
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,278 20,001
Admitted 3,179 18,001
Acceptance Rate 74.3% 90%
Enrolled % 15.9% 23%
Avg High School GPA 3.49 3.68
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 21/28 25/31
SAT Range 1145/1340 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 Aug 1, 2025 Feb 1, 2025

Academics

University of North Carolina at Asheville Mason
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Psychology (12%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Business (8%)
  • English and Literature (8%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • English and Literature (10%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)

Outcomes

University of North Carolina at Asheville Mason
Graduation Rate 61% 64%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,900 $61,900
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 73%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,641 $19,750
Median Loan Payment $213 $204

Diversity

University of North Carolina at Asheville Mason
% Men 42% 48%
% Women 58% 52%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very High
HBCU No No
% White 80% 43%
% Black 4% 11%
% Hispanic 5% 13%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 5%
% International 1% 5%
% Unknown Race 4% 5%

Students

University of North Carolina at Asheville Mason
% In-State 82% 77%
% Out-of-State 16% 17%

Campus

University of North Carolina at Asheville Mason
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • George Mason University is larger than than University of North Carolina at Asheville based on total student enrollment (39,049 students vs. 2,914 students)

University of North Carolina at Asheville vs. Mason Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of North Carolina at Asheville or Mason?

  • George Mason University is 137.6% more expensive to attend than University of North Carolina at Asheville for in-state tuition ($9,795.00 vs. $4,122.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 64.8% higher at Mason than University of North Carolina at Asheville ($35,377.00 vs. $21,470.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of North Carolina at Asheville than Mason ($14,730 vs. $18,479)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina at Asheville are 24.3% lower than costs at George Mason University ($10,556 vs. $13,120)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of North Carolina at Asheville than George Mason University (90% vs. 74%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by George Mason University students is 65.8% larger than aid received University of North Carolina at Asheville ($10,760 vs. $6,491)

University of North Carolina at Asheville vs. Mason Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of North Carolina at Asheville (1159) is 6 points higher than at Mason (1153)
  • Incoming University of North Carolina at Asheville students have at the same average ACT score (26) as students at Mason (26)
  • Accepted freshman Mason students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at University of North Carolina at Asheville (3.49)
  • Mason has a higher acceptance rate (90%) than University of North Carolina at Asheville (74.3%)

University of North Carolina at Asheville vs. Mason Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of North Carolina at Asheville 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 University of North Carolina at Asheville.

  • The graduation rate at Mason is higher than University of North Carolina at Asheville (64% vs. 61%)
  • Graduates from George Mason University earn on average $24,000 more per year than University of North Carolina at Asheville graduates after ten years. ($61,900 vs. $37,900)
  • George Mason University students graduate with a $891 lower median federal student loan debt than University of North Carolina at Asheville graduates. ($19,750 vs. $20,641)
  • Mason graduates are paying $9 less per month on federal student loans than University of North Carolina at Asheville graduates. ($204 vs. $213)
  • More Mason graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of North Carolina at Asheville 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/