Colgate vs. Mason

Colgate University and George Mason University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Colgate University
George Mason University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Colgate (13.9% admitted vs 87.5%). Typical SAT 1490 vs 1260.
  • Cheaper after aid: Mason. Average net price is $18,823 vs $28,736 at Colgate.
  • Graduation: Colgate 92% vs Mason 64%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Colgate $75,300 vs Mason $61,900 (median).
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Key differences

Colgate University George Mason University
Acceptance rate
Colgate more selective
Colgate13.9%
Mason87.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Colgate higher
Colgate1430-1540
Mason1160-1360
Average net price
Mason $9,913 less
Colgate$28,736
Mason$18,823
In-state tuition
Mason $56,086 less
Colgate$70,306
Mason$14,220
Out-of-state tuition
Mason $31,618 less
Colgate$70,306
Mason$38,688
Graduation rate
Colgate +28 pts
Colgate92%
Mason64%
Median earnings (10 years)
Colgate +$13,400
Colgate$75,300
Mason$61,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Colgate 20,682
  • Mason 25,234
  • Admitted
  • Colgate 2,871
  • Mason 22,074
  • Acceptance rate
  • Colgate 13.9%
  • Mason 87.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Colgate 28.7%
  • Mason 20.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Colgate 1490
  • Mason 1260
  • Typical ACT score
  • Colgate 33
  • Mason 27
  • Average high school GPA
  • Colgate 3.77
  • Mason 3.68
  • Typical high school grades
  • Colgate A-
  • Mason A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Colgate Exceptional
  • Mason Difficult
  • Applicant competition
  • Colgate Very High
  • Mason
  • SAT range
  • Colgate 1430-1540
  • Mason 1160-1360
  • ACT range
  • Colgate 33-34
  • Mason 25-30
  • Submit test scores
  • Colgate Test optional
  • Mason Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Colgate Jan 15, 2027
  • Mason Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Colgate $70,306
  • Mason $14,220
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Colgate $70,306
  • Mason $38,688
  • Room & board
  • Colgate $17,610
  • Mason $15,725
  • Average net price
  • Colgate $28,736
  • Mason $18,823
  • Average grant aid
  • Colgate $58,334
  • Mason $12,852
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Colgate 43%
  • Mason 71%
  • Graduation rate
  • Colgate 92%
  • Mason 64%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Colgate $75,300
  • Mason $61,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • Colgate 86%
  • Mason 73%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Colgate $16,125
  • Mason $19,750
  • Median loan payment
  • Colgate $166
  • Mason $204
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Colgate 9:1
  • Mason 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • Colgate
    • Social Sciences (33%)
    • English and Literature (11%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Philosophy and Religious Studies (7%)
  • Mason
    • Business (23%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • English and Literature (10%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Location
  • Colgate Hamilton, NY
  • Mason Fairfax, VA
  • Setting
  • Colgate Distant Town
  • Mason Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Colgate 3,211
  • Mason 39,766
  • Type
  • Colgate Private 4 Year
  • Mason Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Colgate #30
  • Mason #243

Comparable Facts

Compare Colgate University in Hamilton, NY with George Mason University in Fairfax, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

George Mason University is larger than Colgate based on total student enrollment (39,766 students vs. 3,211 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Colgate University is located in Hamilton, NY (Distant Town setting); George Mason University is in Fairfax, VA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Colgate University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. George Mason University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Colgate University 9:1; George Mason University 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at George Mason University are 10.7% lower than at Colgate University ($15,725 vs. $17,610).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 81.7% higher at Colgate than at George Mason University (about $31,618 more per year; $70,306 vs. $38,688).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at George Mason University than at Colgate University (71% vs. 43%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Colgate University students is 353.9% larger than aid received by George Mason University students ($58,334 vs. $12,852).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 6 points higher at Colgate than at Mason (33 vs. 27, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Colgate and Mason.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Colgate Jan 15, 2027; Mason Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Colgate average a 3.77 high school GPA, 0.09 higher than at Mason (3.68).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.7% at Colgate vs. 20.2% at Mason.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Colgate University graduates have a $3,625 lower median loan debt than Mason graduates ($16,125 vs. $19,750).
  • Among borrowers, Colgate graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mason graduates ($166 vs. $204).
  • More Colgate graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mason students, three years after graduation (86% vs. 73%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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