GWU vs. Mason

Should I go to Gardner Webb University or George Mason University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if GWU 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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Gardner Webb University vs. George Mason University comparison
Gardner Webb University George Mason University College 3 College 4
Gardner Webb University George Mason University
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Overview

GWU Mason
Location Boiling Springs, NC Fairfax, VA
Setting Rural Fringe Large Suburban
Enrollment 3,125 39,527
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #604 #239
Religious Affiliation Southern Baptist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website gardner-webb.edu gmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

GWU Mason
Tuition (In State) $32,470 $10,095
Tuition (Out of State) $32,470 $35,677
Room & Board $10,770 $15,151
Avg Net Price $24,035 $18,900
Avg Grant Aid $24,762 $11,311
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 72%

Admission

GWU Mason
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,670 22,579
Admitted 4,064 20,057
Acceptance Rate 87% 88.8%
Enrolled % 10.1% 22.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.74 3.68
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Average Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/26 25/30
SAT Range 1040/1260 1140/1340
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

GWU Mason
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (30%)
  • Social Sciences (23%)
  • Health Professions (18%)
  • Education (5%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (4%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • English and Literature (10%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)

Outcomes

GWU Mason
Graduation Rate 55% 64%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,500 $61,900
Making Student Loan Payments 52% 73%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,969 $19,750
Median Loan Payment $258 $204

Diversity

GWU Mason
% Men 12% 13%
% Women 29% 17%
Racial Diversity Medium Very High
HBCU No No
% White 67% 43%
% Black 17% 11%
% Hispanic 3% 13%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 5%
% International 1% 5%
% Unknown Race 10% 5%

Students

GWU Mason
% In-State 54% 77%
% Out-of-State 41% 16%

Campus

GWU 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 GWU based on total student enrollment (39,527 students vs. 3,125 students)

GWU vs. Mason Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GWU or Mason?

  • Gardner Webb University is 221.6% more expensive to attend than Mason for in-state tuition ($32,470.00 vs. $10,095.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 9.9% higher at Mason than Gardner Webb University ($35,677.00 vs. $32,470.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at George Mason University than GWU ($18,900 vs. $24,035)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gardner Webb University are 40.7% lower than costs at George Mason University ($10,770 vs. $15,151)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Gardner Webb University than George Mason University (99% vs. 72%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Gardner Webb University students is 118.9% larger than aid received George Mason University ($24,762 vs. $11,311)

GWU vs. Mason Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at George Mason University (1153) is 176 points higher than at GWU (977)
  • Incoming Mason students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at GWU (21)
  • Accepted freshman GWU students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at Mason (3.68)
  • Mason has a higher acceptance rate (88.8%) than GWU (87%)

GWU vs. Mason Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, GWU 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 GWU.

  • The graduation rate at Mason is higher than Gardner Webb University (64% vs. 55%)
  • Graduates from George Mason University earn on average $21,400 more per year than GWU graduates after ten years. ($61,900 vs. $40,500)
  • George Mason University students graduate with a $5,219 lower median federal student loan debt than GWU graduates. ($19,750 vs. $24,969)
  • Mason graduates are paying $54 less per month on federal student loans than GWU graduates. ($204 vs. $258)
  • More Mason graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GWU students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 52%)

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