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Clemson JMU Georgia VCU CofC Virginia Tech NC State Auburn Florida State CNU Old Dominion UVA| University of South Carolina Columbia | George Mason University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
UofSC | Mason | ||
| Location | Columbia, SC | Fairfax, VA | ||
| Setting | Midsize City | Large Suburban | ||
| Enrollment | 35,653 | 39,049 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #208 | #228 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | sc.edu | gmu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
UofSC | Mason | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $12,288 | $9,795 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $33,528 | $35,377 | ||
| Room & Board | $11,780 | $13,120 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $22,427 | $18,479 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $6,880 | $10,760 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 98% | 74% |
Admission |
UofSC | Mason | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 42,188 | 20,001 | ||
| Admitted | 27,022 | 18,001 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 64.1% | 90% | ||
| Enrolled % | 24.3% | 23% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.69 | 3.68 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Very High | Difficult | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | |||
| ACT Range | 27/32 | 25/31 | ||
| SAT Range | 1180/1380 | 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 | Dec 1, 2023 | Feb 1, 2024 |
Academics |
UofSC | Mason | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 18:1 | 16:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
UofSC | Mason | ||
| Graduation Rate | 70% | 64% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $51,700 | $61,900 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 69% | 73% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $23,250 | $19,750 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $240 | $204 |
Diversity |
UofSC | Mason | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 42% | 48% | ||
| % Women | 58% | 52% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Low | Very High | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 77% | 43% | ||
| % Black | 10% | 11% | ||
| % Hispanic | 4% | 13% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 4% | 5% | ||
| % International | 1% | 5% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 1% | 5% |
Students |
UofSC | Mason | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 52% | 77% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 47% | 17% | ||
Campus |
UofSC | Mason | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | Yes | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | Yes | Yes | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- George Mason University is larger than than UofSC based on total student enrollment (39,049 students vs. 35,653 students)
UofSC vs. Mason Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, UofSC or Mason?
- University of South Carolina Columbia is 25.5% more expensive to attend than Mason for in-state tuition ($12,288.00 vs. $9,795.00)
- Out of state tuition is 5.5% higher at Mason than University of South Carolina Columbia ($35,377.00 vs. $33,528.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at George Mason University than UofSC ($18,479 vs. $22,427)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Columbia are 11.4% lower than costs at George Mason University ($11,780 vs. $13,120)
- More students receive financial grant aid at University of South Carolina Columbia than George Mason University (98% vs. 74%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by George Mason University students is 56.4% larger than aid received University of South Carolina Columbia ($10,760 vs. $6,880)
UofSC vs. Mason Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, UofSC or Mason? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Mason or UofSC .
- The average SAT score at University of South Carolina Columbia (1220) is 67 points higher than at Mason (1153)
- Incoming UofSC students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (28) than students at Mason (26)
- Accepted freshman UofSC students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Mason (3.68)
- Mason has a higher acceptance rate (90%) than UofSC (64.1%)
UofSC vs. Mason Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, UofSC 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 UofSC.
- The graduation rate at UofSC is higher than George Mason University (70% vs. 64%)
- Graduates from George Mason University earn on average $10,200 more per year than UofSC graduates after ten years. ($61,900 vs. $51,700)
- George Mason University students graduate with a $3,500 lower median federal student loan debt than UofSC graduates. ($19,750 vs. $23,250)
- Mason graduates are paying $36 less per month on federal student loans than UofSC graduates. ($204 vs. $240)
- More Mason graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UofSC students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 69%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/