CU Boulder vs. Mason

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

CU Boulder Mason
Location Boulder, CO Fairfax, VA
Setting Small City Large Suburban
Enrollment 39,585 39,049
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #191 #228
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website colorado.edu gmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CU Boulder Mason
Tuition (In State) $11,520 $9,795
Tuition (Out of State) $38,770 $35,377
Room & Board $16,146 $13,120
Avg Net Price $21,836 $18,479
Avg Grant Aid $10,477 $10,760
% Receiving Grant Aid 57% 74%

Admission

CU Boulder Mason
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 53,781 20,001
Admitted 43,416 18,001
Acceptance Rate 80.7% 90%
Enrolled % 16.4% 23%
Avg High School GPA 3.68 3.68
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very High Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 26/32 25/31
SAT Range 1160/1390 1140/1350
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 Jan 15, 2024 Feb 1, 2024

Academics

CU Boulder Mason
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Biology (10%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • English and Literature (10%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)

Outcomes

CU Boulder Mason
Graduation Rate 68% 64%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $56,900 $61,900
Making Student Loan Payments 73% 73%
Median Student Loan Debt $19,500 $19,750
Median Loan Payment $201 $204

Diversity

CU Boulder Mason
% Men 55% 48%
% Women 45% 52%
Racial Diversity Low Very High
HBCU No No
% White 71% 43%
% Black 2% 11%
% Hispanic 11% 13%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 5%
% International 6% 5%
% Unknown Race 1% 5%

Students

CU Boulder Mason
% In-State 53% 77%
% Out-of-State 45% 17%

Campus

CU Boulder Mason
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Colorado Boulder is larger than than Mason based on total student enrollment (39,585 students vs. 39,049 students)

CU Boulder vs. Mason Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Boulder or Mason?

  • University of Colorado Boulder is 17.6% more expensive to attend than Mason for in-state tuition ($11,520.00 vs. $9,795.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 9.6% higher at CU Boulder than George Mason University ($38,770.00 vs. $35,377.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at George Mason University than CU Boulder ($18,479 vs. $21,836)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at George Mason University are 23.1% lower than costs at University of Colorado Boulder ($13,120 vs. $16,146)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at George Mason University than University of Colorado Boulder (74% vs. 57%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by George Mason University students is 2.7% larger than aid received University of Colorado Boulder ($10,760 vs. $10,477)

CU Boulder vs. Mason Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Colorado Boulder (1212) is 59 points higher than at Mason (1153)
  • Incoming CU Boulder students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at Mason (26)
  • Accepted freshman CU Boulder students have at the same average high school GPA (3.68) as students at Mason (3.68)
  • Mason has a higher acceptance rate (90%) than CU Boulder (80.7%)

CU Boulder vs. Mason Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CU Boulder 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 CU Boulder.

  • The graduation rate at CU Boulder is higher than George Mason University (68% vs. 64%)
  • Graduates from George Mason University earn on average $5,000 more per year than CU Boulder graduates after ten years. ($61,900 vs. $56,900)
  • University of Colorado Boulder students graduate with a $250 lower median federal student loan debt than Mason graduates. ($19,500 vs. $19,750)
  • CU Boulder graduates are paying $3 less per month on federal student loans than Mason graduates. ($201 vs. $204)
  • More Mason graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CU Boulder students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 73%)

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