UNCG vs. Mason

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Carolina at Greensboro in Greensboro, 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 UNCG based on total student enrollment (39,766 students vs. 18,012 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina at Greensboro is located in Greensboro, NC (Large City setting); George Mason University is in Fairfax, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of North Carolina at Greensboro 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 Greensboro 18:1; George Mason University 16:1.

UNCG vs. Mason Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNCG 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 Greensboro than Mason ($11,404 vs. $18,823).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina at Greensboro are 32% lower than at George Mason University ($10,688 vs. $15,725).
• George Mason University is 85.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCG (about $6,559 more per year; $14,220.00 vs. $7,661.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 61.1% higher at Mason than at University of North Carolina at Greensboro (about $14,676 more per year; $38,688.00 vs. $24,012.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of North Carolina at Greensboro than at George Mason University (87% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by George Mason University students is 30.3% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina at Greensboro students ($12,852 vs. $9,863).

UNCG vs. Mason Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNCG 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 UNCG.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at George Mason University (1260) is 10 points higher than at UNCG (1250).
• Incoming Mason students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 24 at UNCG).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Greensboro 1150/1355; George Mason University 1160/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Greensboro 22/27; George Mason University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNCG - Test optional; Mason - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCG Mar 1, 2027; Mason Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mason students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at UNCG (3.59).
• UNCG has a higher acceptance rate (88.5%) than Mason (87.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.2% at UNCG vs. 20.2% at Mason.

UNCG vs. Mason Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNCG 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 Greensboro's (53%).
• Graduates from George Mason University earn a median of about $22,800 more per year than UNCG graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, George Mason University graduates have a $2,987 lower median loan debt than UNCG graduates ($19,750 vs. $22,737).
• Among borrowers, Mason graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNCG graduates ($204 vs. $235).
• More Mason graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCG students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 56%)

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.