Mason vs. Washington and Lee

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

Mason Washington and Lee
Location Fairfax, VA Lexington, VA
Setting Large Suburban Distant Town
Enrollment 39,527 2,277
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #239 #28
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website gmu.edu wlu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Mason Washington and Lee
Tuition (In State) $10,095 $63,315
Tuition (Out of State) $35,677 $63,315
Room & Board $15,151 $17,685
Avg Net Price $18,900 $24,667
Avg Grant Aid $11,311 $58,323
% Receiving Grant Aid 72% 63%

Admission

Mason Washington and Lee
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 22,579 6,820
Admitted 20,057 1,184
Acceptance Rate 88.8% 17.4%
Enrolled % 22.2% 42.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.68 3.87
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Difficult Elite
Applicant Competition Very High
ACT Range 25/30 32/35
SAT Range 1140/1340 1410/1530
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 Jan 1, 2025

Academics

Mason Washington and Lee
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 (21%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Foreign Languages (9%)
  • History (7%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

Mason Washington and Lee
Graduation Rate 64% 91%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $61,900 $89,000
Making Student Loan Payments 73% 88%
Median Student Loan Debt $19,750 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $204 $222

Diversity

Mason Washington and Lee
% Men 13% 9%
% Women 17% 8%
Racial Diversity Very High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 43% 82%
% Black 11% 2%
% Hispanic 13% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 3%
% International 5% 4%
% Unknown Race 5% 2%

Students

Mason Washington and Lee
% In-State 77% 17%
% Out-of-State 16% 75%

Campus

Mason Washington and Lee
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No Yes
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 Washington and Lee based on total student enrollment (39,527 students vs. 2,277 students)

Mason vs. Washington and Lee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mason or Washington and Lee?

  • Washington and Lee University is 527.2% more expensive to attend than Mason for in-state tuition ($63,315.00 vs. $10,095.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 77.5% higher at Washington and Lee than George Mason University ($63,315.00 vs. $35,677.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at George Mason University than Washington and Lee ($18,900 vs. $24,667)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at George Mason University are 16.7% lower than costs at Washington and Lee University ($15,151 vs. $17,685)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at George Mason University than Washington and Lee University (72% vs. 63%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Washington and Lee University students is 415.6% larger than aid received George Mason University ($58,323 vs. $11,311)

Mason vs. Washington and Lee Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Washington and Lee University (1395) is 242 points higher than at Mason (1153)
  • Incoming Washington and Lee students have a 6 point higher average ACT score (32) than students at Mason (26)
  • Accepted freshman Washington and Lee students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Mason (3.68)
  • Mason has a higher acceptance rate (88.8%) than Washington and Lee (17.4%)

Mason vs. Washington and Lee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Mason or Washington and Lee? 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 Washington and Lee and Mason.

  • The graduation rate at Washington and Lee is higher than George Mason University (91% vs. 64%)
  • Graduates from Washington and Lee University earn on average $27,100 more per year than Mason graduates after ten years. ($89,000 vs. $61,900)
  • George Mason University students graduate with a $1,750 lower median federal student loan debt than Washington and Lee graduates. ($19,750 vs. $21,500)
  • Mason graduates are paying $18 less per month on federal student loans than Washington and Lee graduates. ($204 vs. $222)
  • More Washington and Lee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mason students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 73%)

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