JCU vs. Mason

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

John Carroll University
George Mason University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: JCU (80.9% admitted vs 87.5%). Typical SAT 1260 vs 1260.
  • Cheaper after aid: Mason. Average net price is $18,823 vs $30,030 at JCU.
  • Graduation: JCU 71% vs Mason 64%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: JCU $57,600 vs Mason $61,900 (median).
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Key differences

John Carroll University George Mason University
Acceptance rate
JCU more selective
JCU80.9%
Mason87.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Mason higher
JCU1180-1330
Mason1160-1360
Average net price
Mason $11,207 less
JCU$30,030
Mason$18,823
In-state tuition
Mason $36,280 less
JCU$50,500
Mason$14,220
Out-of-state tuition
Mason $11,812 less
JCU$50,500
Mason$38,688
Graduation rate
JCU +7 pts
JCU71%
Mason64%
Median earnings (10 years)
Mason +$4,300
JCU$57,600
Mason$61,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • JCU 4,623
  • Mason 25,234
  • Admitted
  • JCU 3,740
  • Mason 22,074
  • Acceptance rate
  • JCU 80.9%
  • Mason 87.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • JCU 15.9%
  • Mason 20.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • JCU 1260
  • Mason 1260
  • Typical ACT score
  • JCU 28
  • Mason 27
  • Average high school GPA
  • JCU 3.66
  • Mason 3.68
  • Typical high school grades
  • JCU A-
  • Mason A-
  • Admissions standards
  • JCU Difficult
  • Mason Difficult
  • Applicant competition
  • JCU
  • Mason
  • SAT range
  • JCU 1180-1330
  • Mason 1160-1360
  • ACT range
  • JCU 25-32
  • Mason 25-30
  • Submit test scores
  • JCU Test optional
  • Mason Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • JCU
  • Mason Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • JCU $50,500
  • Mason $14,220
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • JCU $50,500
  • Mason $38,688
  • Room & board
  • JCU $14,520
  • Mason $15,725
  • Average net price
  • JCU $30,030
  • Mason $18,823
  • Average grant aid
  • JCU $35,785
  • Mason $12,852
  • % receiving grant aid
  • JCU 100%
  • Mason 71%
  • Graduation rate
  • JCU 71%
  • Mason 64%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • JCU $57,600
  • Mason $61,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • JCU 74%
  • Mason 73%
  • Median student loan debt
  • JCU $26,939
  • Mason $19,750
  • Median loan payment
  • JCU $278
  • Mason $204
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • JCU 13:1
  • Mason 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • JCU
    • Business (34%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Education (9%)
  • Mason
    • Business (23%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • English and Literature (10%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Location
  • JCU University Heights, OH
  • Mason Fairfax, VA
  • Setting
  • JCU Large Suburban
  • Mason Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • JCU 2,864
  • Mason 39,766
  • Type
  • JCU Private 4 Year
  • Mason Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • JCU #222
  • Mason #243

Comparable Facts

Compare John Carroll University in University Heights, OH 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 JCU based on total student enrollment (39,766 students vs. 2,864 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • John Carroll University is located in University Heights, OH (Large Suburban setting); George Mason University is in Fairfax, VA (Large Suburban setting).
  • John Carroll University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. George Mason University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: John Carroll University 13:1; George Mason University 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at John Carroll University are 7.7% lower than at George Mason University ($14,520 vs. $15,725).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 30.5% higher at JCU than at George Mason University (about $11,812 more per year; $50,500 vs. $38,688).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at John Carroll University than at George Mason University (100% vs. 71%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by John Carroll University students is 178.4% larger than aid received by George Mason University students ($35,785 vs. $12,852).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at JCU than at Mason (28 vs. 27, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both JCU and Mason.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Mason Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Mason average a 3.68 high school GPA, 0.02 higher than at JCU (3.66).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.9% at JCU vs. 20.2% at Mason.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, George Mason University graduates have a $7,189 lower median loan debt than JCU graduates ($19,750 vs. $26,939).
  • Among borrowers, Mason graduates have an estimated $74 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than JCU graduates ($204 vs. $278).
  • More JCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mason students, three years after graduation (74% 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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