UNC Charlotte vs. Mason

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Carolina at Charlotte in Charlotte, NC with George Mason University in Fairfax, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

George Mason University is larger than UNC Charlotte based on total student enrollment (39,766 students vs. 31,091 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina at Charlotte is located in Charlotte, NC (Large City setting); George Mason University is in Fairfax, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of North Carolina at Charlotte 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 North Carolina at Charlotte 21:1; George Mason University 16:1.

UNC Charlotte vs. Mason Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNC Charlotte 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 North Carolina at Charlotte than Mason ($15,045 vs. $18,823).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina at Charlotte are 8.1% lower than at George Mason University ($14,458 vs. $15,725).
• George Mason University is 96.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNC Charlotte (about $6,981 more per year; $14,220.00 vs. $7,239.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 72% higher at Mason than at University of North Carolina at Charlotte (about $16,196 more per year; $38,688.00 vs. $22,492.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at George Mason University than at University of North Carolina at Charlotte (71% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by George Mason University students is 61.3% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina at Charlotte students ($12,852 vs. $7,966).

UNC Charlotte vs. Mason Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNC Charlotte 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 UNC Charlotte.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at George Mason University (1260) is 20 points higher than at UNC Charlotte (1240).
• Incoming Mason students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 24 at UNC Charlotte).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Charlotte 1140/1330; George Mason University 1160/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Charlotte 21/28; George Mason University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNC Charlotte - Test optional; Mason - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNC Charlotte Jun 1, 2027; Mason Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mason students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at UNC Charlotte (3.57).
• Mason has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than UNC Charlotte (79.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.5% at UNC Charlotte vs. 20.2% at Mason.

UNC Charlotte vs. Mason Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNC Charlotte 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 North Carolina at Charlotte's (53%).
• Graduates from George Mason University earn a median of about $13,300 more per year than UNC Charlotte graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $48,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, George Mason University graduates have a $3,250 lower median loan debt than UNC Charlotte graduates ($19,750 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, Mason graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNC Charlotte graduates ($204 vs. $237).
• More Mason graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNC Charlotte 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.