WCU vs. Mason

Should I go to West Chester University of Pennsylvania or George Mason University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if WCU 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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West Chester University of Pennsylvania vs. George Mason University comparison
West Chester University of Pennsylvania George Mason University College 3 College 4
West Chester University of Pennsylvania George Mason University
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Overview

WCU Mason
Location West Chester, PA Fairfax, VA
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 17,275 39,049
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #496 #228
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wcupa.edu gmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

WCU Mason
Tuition (In State) $7,716 $9,795
Tuition (Out of State) $19,290 $35,377
Room & Board $14,228 $13,120
Avg Net Price $22,973 $18,479
Avg Grant Aid $5,443 $10,760
% Receiving Grant Aid 64% 74%

Admission

WCU Mason
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 14,778 20,001
Admitted 12,982 18,001
Acceptance Rate 87.8% 90%
Enrolled % 23.2% 23%
Avg High School GPA 3.43 3.68
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/30 25/31
SAT Range 1080/1260 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

Academics

WCU Mason
Student to Faculty Ratio 20:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • English and Literature (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • English and Literature (10%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)

Outcomes

WCU Mason
Graduation Rate 68% 64%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $49,000 $61,900
Making Student Loan Payments 75% 73%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,500 $19,750
Median Loan Payment $242 $204

Diversity

WCU Mason
% Men 39% 48%
% Women 61% 52%
Racial Diversity Low Very High
HBCU No No
% White 78% 43%
% Black 11% 11%
% Hispanic 5% 13%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 5%
% International 0% 5%
% Unknown Race 0% 5%

Students

WCU Mason
% In-State 87% 77%
% Out-of-State 12% 17%

Campus

WCU 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 WCU based on total student enrollment (39,049 students vs. 17,275 students)

WCU vs. Mason Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WCU or Mason?

  • George Mason University is 26.9% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($9,795.00 vs. $7,716.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 83.4% higher at Mason than West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($35,377.00 vs. $19,290.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at George Mason University than WCU ($18,479 vs. $22,973)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at George Mason University are 8.4% lower than costs at West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($13,120 vs. $14,228)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at George Mason University than West Chester University of Pennsylvania (74% vs. 64%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by George Mason University students is 97.7% larger than aid received West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($10,760 vs. $5,443)

WCU vs. Mason Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at George Mason University (1153) is 81 points higher than at WCU (1072)
  • Incoming Mason students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at WCU (24)
  • Accepted freshman Mason students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at WCU (3.43)
  • Mason has a higher acceptance rate (90%) than WCU (87.8%)

WCU vs. Mason Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, WCU 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 WCU.

  • The graduation rate at WCU is higher than George Mason University (68% vs. 64%)
  • Graduates from George Mason University earn on average $12,900 more per year than WCU graduates after ten years. ($61,900 vs. $49,000)
  • George Mason University students graduate with a $3,750 lower median federal student loan debt than WCU graduates. ($19,750 vs. $23,500)
  • Mason graduates are paying $38 less per month on federal student loans than WCU graduates. ($204 vs. $242)
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mason students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 73%)

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