Lafayette College vs. Mason

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

Lafayette College
George Mason University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Lafayette College (31.4% admitted vs 87.5%). Typical SAT 1430 vs 1260.
  • Cheaper after aid: Mason. Average net price is $18,823 vs $38,442 at Lafayette College.
  • Graduation: Lafayette College 88% vs Mason 64%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Lafayette College $81,000 vs Mason $61,900 (median).
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Key differences

Lafayette College George Mason University
Acceptance rate
Lafayette College more selective
Lafayette College31.4%
Mason87.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Lafayette College higher
Lafayette College1350-1500
Mason1160-1360
Average net price
Mason $19,619 less
Lafayette College$38,442
Mason$18,823
In-state tuition
Mason $51,178 less
Lafayette College$65,398
Mason$14,220
Out-of-state tuition
Mason $26,710 less
Lafayette College$65,398
Mason$38,688
Graduation rate
Lafayette College +24 pts
Lafayette College88%
Mason64%
Median earnings (10 years)
Lafayette College +$19,100
Lafayette College$81,000
Mason$61,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Lafayette College 10,195
  • Mason 25,234
  • Admitted
  • Lafayette College 3,206
  • Mason 22,074
  • Acceptance rate
  • Lafayette College 31.4%
  • Mason 87.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Lafayette College 21.8%
  • Mason 20.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Lafayette College 1430
  • Mason 1260
  • Typical ACT score
  • Lafayette College 32
  • Mason 27
  • Average high school GPA
  • Lafayette College 3.53
  • Mason 3.68
  • Typical high school grades
  • Lafayette College A-
  • Mason A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Lafayette College Exceptional
  • Mason Difficult
  • Applicant competition
  • Lafayette College High
  • Mason
  • SAT range
  • Lafayette College 1350-1500
  • Mason 1160-1360
  • ACT range
  • Lafayette College 31-33
  • Mason 25-30
  • Submit test scores
  • Lafayette College Test optional
  • Mason Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027
  • Mason Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Lafayette College $65,398
  • Mason $14,220
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Lafayette College $65,398
  • Mason $38,688
  • Room & board
  • Lafayette College $19,866
  • Mason $15,725
  • Average net price
  • Lafayette College $38,442
  • Mason $18,823
  • Average grant aid
  • Lafayette College $44,707
  • Mason $12,852
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Lafayette College 61%
  • Mason 71%
  • Graduation rate
  • Lafayette College 88%
  • Mason 64%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Lafayette College $81,000
  • Mason $61,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • Lafayette College 91%
  • Mason 73%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Lafayette College $26,000
  • Mason $19,750
  • Median loan payment
  • Lafayette College $268
  • Mason $204
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Lafayette College 10:1
  • Mason 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • Lafayette College
    • Social Sciences (33%)
    • Engineering (19%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
  • Mason
    • Business (23%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • English and Literature (10%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Location
  • Lafayette College Easton, PA
  • Mason Fairfax, VA
  • Setting
  • Lafayette College Large Suburban
  • Mason Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Lafayette College 2,775
  • Mason 39,766
  • Type
  • Lafayette College Private 4 Year
  • Mason Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Lafayette College #69
  • Mason #243

Comparable Facts

Compare Lafayette College in Easton, PA 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 Lafayette College based on total student enrollment (39,766 students vs. 2,775 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Lafayette College is located in Easton, PA (Large Suburban setting); George Mason University is in Fairfax, VA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Lafayette College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. George Mason University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Lafayette College 10:1; George Mason University 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at George Mason University are 20.8% lower than at Lafayette College ($15,725 vs. $19,866).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 69% higher at Lafayette College than at George Mason University (about $26,710 more per year; $65,398 vs. $38,688).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at George Mason University than at Lafayette College (71% vs. 61%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Lafayette College students is 247.9% larger than aid received by George Mason University students ($44,707 vs. $12,852).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 5 points higher at Lafayette College than at Mason (32 vs. 27, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Lafayette College and Mason.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027; Mason Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Mason average a 3.68 high school GPA, 0.15 higher than at Lafayette College (3.53).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.8% at Lafayette College vs. 20.2% at Mason.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, George Mason University graduates have a $6,250 lower median loan debt than Lafayette College graduates ($19,750 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, Mason graduates have an estimated $64 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lafayette College graduates ($204 vs. $268).
  • More Lafayette College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mason students, three years after graduation (91% 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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