Wesleyan University vs. Mason

Deciding between Wesleyan University and George Mason University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Wesleyan University
George Mason University

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Wesleyan University Middletown, CT
  • Mason Fairfax, VA
  • Setting
  • Wesleyan University Small City
  • Mason Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Wesleyan University 4,011
  • Mason 39,766
  • Type
  • Wesleyan University Private 4 Year
  • Mason Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Wesleyan University #36
  • Mason #243
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Wesleyan University -
  • Mason -
  • Status
  • Wesleyan University Non-profit
  • Mason Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Wesleyan University
  • Mason

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Wesleyan University $70,342
  • Mason $14,220
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Wesleyan University $70,342
  • Mason $38,688
  • Room & Board
  • Wesleyan University $19,872
  • Mason $15,725
  • Average Net Price
  • Wesleyan University $23,025
  • Mason $18,823
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Wesleyan University $65,995
  • Mason $12,852
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Wesleyan University 42%
  • Mason 71%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Wesleyan University 14,389
  • Mason 25,234
  • Admitted
  • Wesleyan University 2,373
  • Mason 22,074
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Wesleyan University 16.5%
  • Mason 87.5%
  • Enrolled
  • Wesleyan University 34.8%
  • Mason 20.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Wesleyan University 1480
  • Mason 1260
  • Typical ACT score
  • Wesleyan University 34
  • Mason 27
  • Average High School GPA
  • Wesleyan University -
  • Mason 3.68
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Wesleyan University -
  • Mason A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Wesleyan University Elite
  • Mason Difficult
  • Applicant Competition
  • Wesleyan University Very High
  • Mason
  • ACT Range
  • Wesleyan University 33/35
  • Mason 25/30
  • SAT Range
  • Wesleyan University 1415/1540
  • Mason 1160/1360
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Wesleyan University Test optional
  • Mason Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Wesleyan University Jan 1, 2027
  • Mason Feb 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Wesleyan University 8:1
  • Mason 16:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Wesleyan University
    • Social Sciences (24%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (14%)
    • Ethnic Studies (12%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
  • Mason
    • Business (23%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • English and Literature (10%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Wesleyan University 92%
  • Mason 64%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Wesleyan University $58,000
  • Mason $61,900
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Wesleyan University 89%
  • Mason 73%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Wesleyan University $17,500
  • Mason $19,750
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Wesleyan University $180
  • Mason $204

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Wesleyan University 47%
  • Mason 49%
  • % Women
  • Wesleyan University 53%
  • Mason 51%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Wesleyan University High
  • Mason Very High
  • HBCU
  • Wesleyan University No
  • Mason No
  • % White
  • Wesleyan University 53%
  • Mason 43%
  • % Asian
  • Wesleyan University 8%
  • Mason 19%
  • % Black
  • Wesleyan University 7%
  • Mason 11%
  • % Hispanic
  • Wesleyan University 11%
  • Mason 13%
  • % Native American
  • Wesleyan University 0%
  • Mason 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Wesleyan University 0%
  • Mason 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Wesleyan University 6%
  • Mason 5%
  • % International
  • Wesleyan University 9%
  • Mason 5%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Wesleyan University 5%
  • Mason 5%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Wesleyan University 8%
  • Mason 77%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Wesleyan University 78%
  • Mason 14%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Wesleyan University Yes
  • Mason Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Wesleyan University Yes
  • Mason No
  • Meal Plan
  • Wesleyan University Yes
  • Mason Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Wesleyan University No
  • Mason No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Wesleyan University No
  • Mason Yes

Comparable Facts

Compare Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT 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 Wesleyan University based on total student enrollment (39,766 students vs. 4,011 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Wesleyan University is located in Middletown, CT (Small City setting); George Mason University is in Fairfax, VA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. George Mason University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Wesleyan University 8:1; George Mason University 16:1.

Wesleyan University vs. Mason Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wesleyan University 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 George Mason University than Wesleyan University ($18,823 vs. $23,025).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at George Mason University are 20.9% lower than at Wesleyan University ($15,725 vs. $19,872).
  • Wesleyan University is 394.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mason (about $56,122 more per year; $70,342.00 vs. $14,220.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 81.8% higher at Wesleyan University than at George Mason University (about $31,654 more per year; $70,342.00 vs. $38,688.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at George Mason University than at Wesleyan University (71% vs. 42%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Wesleyan University students is 413.5% larger than aid received by George Mason University students ($65,995 vs. $12,852).

Wesleyan University vs. Mason Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wesleyan University 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 Wesleyan University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wesleyan University (1480) is 220 points higher than at Mason (1260).
  • Incoming Wesleyan University students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 27 at Mason).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wesleyan University 1415/1540; George Mason University 1160/1360.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wesleyan University 33/35; George Mason University 25/30.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wesleyan University - Test optional; Mason - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Wesleyan University Jan 1, 2027; Mason Feb 1, 2027.
  • Mason has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than Wesleyan University (16.5%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Wesleyan University vs. 20.2% at Mason.

Wesleyan University vs. Mason Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wesleyan University 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).

  • Wesleyan University's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than George Mason University's (64%).
  • Graduates from George Mason University earn a median of about $3,900 more per year than Wesleyan University graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $58,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Wesleyan University graduates have a $2,250 lower median loan debt than Mason graduates ($17,500 vs. $19,750).
  • Among borrowers, Wesleyan University graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mason graduates ($180 vs. $204).
  • More Wesleyan University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mason students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 73%)

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.