USF Main Campus vs. Mason

Should I go to University of South Florida Main Campus or George Mason University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if USF Main Campus 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 South Florida Main Campus vs. George Mason University comparison
University of South Florida Main Campus George Mason University College 3 College 4
University of South Florida Main Campus George Mason University
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Overview

 USF Main Campus Mason
Location Tampa, FL Fairfax, VA
Setting Large City Large Suburban
Enrollment 49,600 39,049
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #423 #228
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website usf.edu gmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 USF Main Campus Mason
Tuition (In State) $4,559 $9,795
Tuition (Out of State) $15,473 $35,377
Room & Board $12,622 $13,120
Avg Net Price $11,004 $18,479
Avg Grant Aid $11,066 $10,760
% Receiving Grant Aid 87% 74%

Admission

 USF Main Campus Mason
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 65,568 20,001
Admitted 28,801 18,001
Acceptance Rate 43.9% 90%
Enrolled % 23.6% 23%
Avg High School GPA 3.64 3.68
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 24/29 25/31
SAT Range 1140/1330 1140/1350
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline May 1, 2025 Feb 1, 2025

Academics

 USF Main Campus Mason
Student to Faculty Ratio 22:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • Biology (10%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • English and Literature (10%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)

Outcomes

 USF Main Campus Mason
Graduation Rate 52% 64%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,500 $61,900
Making Student Loan Payments 57% 73%
Median Student Loan Debt $19,147 $19,750
Median Loan Payment $197 $204

Diversity

 USF Main Campus Mason
% Men 42% 48%
% Women 58% 52%
Racial Diversity High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 51% 43%
% Black 11% 11%
% Hispanic 21% 13%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 5%
% International 5% 5%
% Unknown Race 1% 5%

Students

 USF Main Campus Mason
% In-State 74% 77%
% Out-of-State 16% 17%

Campus

 USF Main Campus Mason
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of South Florida Main Campus is larger than than Mason based on total student enrollment (49,600 students vs. 39,049 students)

USF Main Campus vs. Mason Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USF Main Campus or Mason?

  • George Mason University is 114.8% more expensive to attend than USF Main Campus for in-state tuition ($9,795.00 vs. $4,559.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 128.6% higher at Mason than University of South Florida Main Campus ($35,377.00 vs. $15,473.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of South Florida Main Campus than Mason ($11,004 vs. $18,479)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Florida Main Campus are 3.9% lower than costs at George Mason University ($12,622 vs. $13,120)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of South Florida Main Campus than George Mason University (87% vs. 74%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of South Florida Main Campus students is 2.8% larger than aid received George Mason University ($11,066 vs. $10,760)

USF Main Campus vs. Mason Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of South Florida Main Campus (1177) is 24 points higher than at Mason (1153)
  • Incoming USF Main Campus students have at the same average ACT score (26) as students at Mason (26)
  • Accepted freshman Mason students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at USF Main Campus (3.64)
  • Mason has a higher acceptance rate (90%) than USF Main Campus (43.9%)

USF Main Campus vs. Mason Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, USF Main Campus 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 USF Main Campus.

  • The graduation rate at Mason is higher than University of South Florida Main Campus (64% vs. 52%)
  • Graduates from George Mason University earn on average $15,400 more per year than USF Main Campus graduates after ten years. ($61,900 vs. $46,500)
  • University of South Florida Main Campus students graduate with a $603 lower median federal student loan debt than Mason graduates. ($19,147 vs. $19,750)
  • USF Main Campus graduates are paying $7 less per month on federal student loans than Mason graduates. ($197 vs. $204)
  • More Mason graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USF Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 57%)

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