SUNY Poly vs. Mason

Comparable Facts

Compare SUNY Polytechnic Institute in Utica, NY with George Mason University in Fairfax, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

George Mason University is larger than SUNY Poly based on total student enrollment (39,766 students vs. 2,733 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• SUNY Polytechnic Institute is located in Utica, NY (Rural Fringe setting); George Mason University is in Fairfax, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• SUNY Polytechnic Institute is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. George Mason University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: SUNY Polytechnic Institute 13:1; George Mason University 16:1.

SUNY Poly vs. Mason Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SUNY Poly or Mason? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at SUNY Polytechnic Institute than Mason ($14,782 vs. $18,823).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at George Mason University are 5.2% lower than at SUNY Polytechnic Institute ($15,725 vs. $16,584).
• George Mason University is 64.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Poly (about $5,595 more per year; $14,220.00 vs. $8,625.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 82.4% higher at Mason than at SUNY Polytechnic Institute (about $17,473 more per year; $38,688.00 vs. $21,215.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY Polytechnic Institute than at George Mason University (100% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by George Mason University students is 53.8% larger than aid received by SUNY Polytechnic Institute students ($12,852 vs. $8,357).

SUNY Poly vs. Mason Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SUNY Poly or Mason? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Mason and SUNY Poly.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at George Mason University (1260) is 60 points higher than at SUNY Poly (1200).
• Incoming Mason students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 26 at SUNY Poly).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY Polytechnic Institute 1025/1370; George Mason University 1160/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY Polytechnic Institute 22/30; George Mason University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SUNY Poly - Test optional; Mason - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SUNY Poly Aug 1, 2027; Mason Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SUNY Poly students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Mason (3.68).
• Mason has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than SUNY Poly (81.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.7% at SUNY Poly vs. 20.2% at Mason.

SUNY Poly vs. Mason Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SUNY Poly and Mason? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• George Mason University's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than SUNY Polytechnic Institute's (47%).
• Graduates from George Mason University earn a median of about $8,700 more per year than SUNY Poly graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $53,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY Polytechnic Institute graduates have a $3,165 lower median loan debt than Mason graduates ($16,585 vs. $19,750).
• Among borrowers, SUNY Poly graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mason graduates ($171 vs. $204).
• More Mason graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNY Poly students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 63%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.