Widener University-Main Campus vs. Mason

Should I go to Widener University Main Campus or George Mason University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Widener University-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.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

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

JMU VCU Virginia Tech CNU Old Dominion UVA UMBC UNC Charlotte UB William & Mary Mary Washington College ASU
Widener University Main Campus vs. George Mason University comparison
Widener University Main Campus George Mason University College 3 College 4
Widener University Main Campus George Mason University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 Widener University-Main Campus Mason
Location Chester, PA Fairfax, VA
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 5,416 39,049
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #364 #228
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website widener.edu gmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Widener University-Main Campus Mason
Tuition (In State) $50,624 $9,795
Tuition (Out of State) $50,624 $35,377
Room & Board $15,200 $13,120
Avg Net Price $32,185 $18,479
Avg Grant Aid $32,412 $10,760
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 74%

Admission

 Widener University-Main Campus Mason
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,961 20,001
Admitted 5,227 18,001
Acceptance Rate 87.7% 90%
Enrolled % 10.3% 23%
Avg High School GPA 3.46 3.68
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 22/29 25/31
SAT Range 1105/1290 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

 Widener University-Main Campus Mason
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (28%)
  • Health Professions (23%)
  • Engineering (11%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Education (5%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • English and Literature (10%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)

Outcomes

 Widener University-Main Campus Mason
Graduation Rate 54% 64%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $59,500 $61,900
Making Student Loan Payments 68% 73%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $19,750
Median Loan Payment $279 $204

Diversity

 Widener University-Main Campus Mason
% Men 34% 48%
% Women 66% 52%
Racial Diversity Medium Very High
HBCU No No
% White 70% 43%
% Black 13% 11%
% Hispanic 5% 13%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 5%
% International 4% 5%
% Unknown Race 2% 5%

Students

 Widener University-Main Campus Mason
% In-State 61% 77%
% Out-of-State 38% 17%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • George Mason University is larger than than Widener University-Main Campus based on total student enrollment (39,049 students vs. 5,416 students)

Widener University-Main Campus vs. Mason Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Widener University-Main Campus or Mason?

  • Widener University Main Campus is 416.8% more expensive to attend than Mason for in-state tuition ($50,624.00 vs. $9,795.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 43.1% higher at Widener University-Main Campus than George Mason University ($50,624.00 vs. $35,377.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at George Mason University than Widener University-Main Campus ($18,479 vs. $32,185)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at George Mason University are 15.9% lower than costs at Widener University Main Campus ($13,120 vs. $15,200)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Widener University Main Campus than George Mason University (97% vs. 74%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Widener University Main Campus students is 201.2% larger than aid received George Mason University ($32,412 vs. $10,760)

Widener University-Main Campus vs. Mason Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at George Mason University (1153) is 121 points higher than at Widener University-Main Campus (1032)
  • Incoming Mason students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at Widener University-Main Campus (23)
  • Accepted freshman Mason students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Widener University-Main Campus (3.46)
  • Mason has a higher acceptance rate (90%) than Widener University-Main Campus (87.7%)

Widener University-Main Campus vs. Mason Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Widener University-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 Widener University-Main Campus.

  • The graduation rate at Mason is higher than Widener University Main Campus (64% vs. 54%)
  • Graduates from George Mason University earn on average $2,400 more per year than Widener University-Main Campus graduates after ten years. ($61,900 vs. $59,500)
  • George Mason University students graduate with a $7,250 lower median federal student loan debt than Widener University-Main Campus graduates. ($19,750 vs. $27,000)
  • Mason graduates are paying $75 less per month on federal student loans than Widener University-Main Campus graduates. ($204 vs. $279)
  • More Mason graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Widener University-Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 68%)

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