UNCW vs. Mason

Should I go to University of North Carolina at Wilmington or George Mason University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if UNCW 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

JMU ASU VCU UNC Charlotte UNC Chapel Hill Virginia Tech ECU CNU Old Dominion UVA UMBC UNCG
University of North Carolina at Wilmington vs. George Mason University comparison
University of North Carolina at Wilmington George Mason University College 3 College 4
University of North Carolina at Wilmington George Mason University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

UNCW Mason
Location Wilmington, NC Fairfax, VA
Setting Midsize City Large Suburban
Enrollment 17,843 39,049
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #377 #228
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uncw.edu gmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

UNCW Mason
Tuition (In State) $4,443 $9,795
Tuition (Out of State) $19,063 $35,377
Room & Board $12,120 $13,120
Avg Net Price $18,709 $18,479
Avg Grant Aid $6,217 $10,760
% Receiving Grant Aid 56% 74%

Admission

UNCW Mason
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 16,860 20,001
Admitted 11,605 18,001
Acceptance Rate 68.8% 90%
Enrolled % 20.4% 23%
Avg High School GPA 3.56 3.68
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 24/29 25/31
SAT Range 1220/1370 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

UNCW Mason
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (22%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • English and Literature (10%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)

Outcomes

UNCW Mason
Graduation Rate 67% 64%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,700 $61,900
Making Student Loan Payments 64% 73%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,500 $19,750
Median Loan Payment $211 $204

Diversity

UNCW Mason
% Men 34% 48%
% Women 66% 52%
Racial Diversity Low Very High
HBCU No No
% White 78% 43%
% Black 5% 11%
% Hispanic 7% 13%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 5%
% International 1% 5%
% Unknown Race 3% 5%

Students

UNCW Mason
% In-State 80% 77%
% Out-of-State 19% 17%

Campus

UNCW 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 UNCW based on total student enrollment (39,049 students vs. 17,843 students)

UNCW vs. Mason Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNCW or Mason?

  • George Mason University is 120.5% more expensive to attend than UNCW for in-state tuition ($9,795.00 vs. $4,443.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 85.6% higher at Mason than University of North Carolina at Wilmington ($35,377.00 vs. $19,063.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at George Mason University than UNCW ($18,479 vs. $18,709)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina at Wilmington are 8.3% lower than costs at George Mason University ($12,120 vs. $13,120)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at George Mason University than University of North Carolina at Wilmington (74% vs. 56%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by George Mason University students is 73.1% larger than aid received University of North Carolina at Wilmington ($10,760 vs. $6,217)

UNCW vs. Mason Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of North Carolina at Wilmington (1162) is 9 points higher than at Mason (1153)
  • Incoming Mason students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at UNCW (25)
  • Accepted freshman Mason students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at UNCW (3.56)
  • Mason has a higher acceptance rate (90%) than UNCW (68.8%)

UNCW vs. Mason Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, UNCW 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 UNCW.

  • The graduation rate at UNCW is higher than George Mason University (67% vs. 64%)
  • Graduates from George Mason University earn on average $17,200 more per year than UNCW graduates after ten years. ($61,900 vs. $44,700)
  • George Mason University students graduate with a $750 lower median federal student loan debt than UNCW graduates. ($19,750 vs. $20,500)
  • Mason graduates are paying $7 less per month on federal student loans than UNCW graduates. ($204 vs. $211)
  • More Mason graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCW students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 64%)

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