Mason vs. Sweet Briar College

Should I go to George Mason University or Sweet Briar College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Mason or Sweet Briar College 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
George Mason University vs. Sweet Briar College comparison
George Mason University Sweet Briar College College 3 College 4
George Mason University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Mason Sweet Briar College
Location Fairfax, VA Sweet Briar, VA
Setting Large Suburban Small Suburban
Enrollment 39,049 460
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #228
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website gmu.edu sbc.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Mason Sweet Briar College
Tuition (In State) $9,795 $22,620
Tuition (Out of State) $35,377 $22,620
Room & Board $13,120 $14,250
Avg Net Price $18,479 $28,408
Avg Grant Aid $10,760 $12,254
% Receiving Grant Aid 74% 96%

Admission

Mason Sweet Briar College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 20,001 1,204
Admitted 18,001 912
Acceptance Rate 90% 75.7%
Enrolled % 23% 16.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.68 3.54
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 25/31 22/30
SAT Range 1140/1350 1020/1360
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, 2024

Academics

Mason Sweet Briar College
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 8:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • English and Literature (10%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (14%)
  • Biology (12%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Psychology (9%)

Outcomes

Mason Sweet Briar College
Graduation Rate 64% 70%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $61,900 $41,700
Making Student Loan Payments 73% 72%
Median Student Loan Debt $19,750 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $204 $279

Diversity

Mason Sweet Briar College
% Men 48% 0%
% Women 52% 100%
Racial Diversity Very High Low
HBCU No No
% White 43% 71%
% Black 11% 9%
% Hispanic 13% 9%
% Native American 0% 2%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 5%
% International 5% 0%
% Unknown Race 5% 1%

Students

Mason Sweet Briar College
% In-State 77% 43%
% Out-of-State 17% 49%

Campus

Mason Sweet Briar College
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • George Mason University is larger than than Sweet Briar College based on total student enrollment (39,049 students vs. 460 students)

Mason vs. Sweet Briar College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mason or Sweet Briar College?

  • Sweet Briar College is 130.9% more expensive to attend than Mason for in-state tuition ($22,620.00 vs. $9,795.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 56.4% higher at Mason than Sweet Briar College ($35,377.00 vs. $22,620.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at George Mason University than Sweet Briar College ($18,479 vs. $28,408)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at George Mason University are 8.6% lower than costs at Sweet Briar College ($13,120 vs. $14,250)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Sweet Briar College than George Mason University (96% vs. 74%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Sweet Briar College students is 13.9% larger than aid received George Mason University ($12,254 vs. $10,760)

Mason vs. Sweet Briar College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at George Mason University (1153) is 55 points higher than at Sweet Briar College (1098)
  • Incoming Mason students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at Sweet Briar College (25)
  • Accepted freshman Mason students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Sweet Briar College (3.54)
  • Mason has a higher acceptance rate (90%) than Sweet Briar College (75.7%)

Mason vs. Sweet Briar College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Mason or Sweet Briar College? 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 Sweet Briar College and Mason.

  • The graduation rate at Sweet Briar College is higher than George Mason University (70% vs. 64%)
  • Graduates from George Mason University earn on average $20,200 more per year than Sweet Briar College graduates after ten years. ($61,900 vs. $41,700)
  • George Mason University students graduate with a $7,250 lower median federal student loan debt than Sweet Briar College graduates. ($19,750 vs. $27,000)
  • Mason graduates are paying $75 less per month on federal student loans than Sweet Briar College graduates. ($204 vs. $279)
  • More Mason graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Sweet Briar College students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 72%)

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