UNCSA vs. Mason

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston Salem, 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 UNCSA based on total student enrollment (39,766 students vs. 1,111 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina School of the Arts is located in Winston Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); George Mason University is in Fairfax, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of North Carolina School of the Arts 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 School of the Arts 6:1; George Mason University 16:1.

UNCSA vs. Mason Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNCSA 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 School of the Arts than Mason ($13,140 vs. $18,823).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina School of the Arts are 14% lower than at George Mason University ($13,517 vs. $15,725).
• George Mason University is 50% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCSA (about $4,743 more per year; $14,220.00 vs. $9,477.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 42.2% higher at Mason than at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (about $11,477 more per year; $38,688.00 vs. $27,211.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at George Mason University than at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (71% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Carolina School of the Arts students is 0.2% larger than aid received by George Mason University students ($12,876 vs. $12,852).

UNCSA vs. Mason Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNCSA 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 UNCSA.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (1260) is the same as at Mason (1260).
• Incoming Mason students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at UNCSA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina School of the Arts 1140/1370; George Mason University 1160/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina School of the Arts 22/29; George Mason University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNCSA - Test optional; Mason - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCSA Mar 15, 2027; Mason Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNCSA students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Mason (3.68).
• Mason has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than UNCSA (30%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 55.5% at UNCSA vs. 20.2% at Mason.

UNCSA vs. Mason Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNCSA 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 School of the Arts's (58%).
• Graduates from George Mason University earn a median of about $22,800 more per year than UNCSA 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 $7,250 lower median loan debt than UNCSA graduates ($19,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Mason graduates have an estimated $75 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNCSA graduates ($204 vs. $279).
• More Mason graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCSA 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.