Villanova vs. Mason

Should I go to Villanova University or George Mason University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Villanova 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

JMU BC Lehigh VCU University of Richmond Bucknell Colgate Lafayette College Virginia Tech CNU Notre Dame Holy Cross
Villanova University vs. George Mason University comparison
Villanova University George Mason University College 3 College 4
Villanova University George Mason University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Villanova Mason
Location Villanova, PA Fairfax, VA
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 10,383 39,049
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #66 #228
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website villanova.edu gmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Villanova Mason
Tuition (In State) $60,768 $9,795
Tuition (Out of State) $60,768 $35,377
Room & Board $16,087 $13,120
Avg Net Price $34,837 $18,479
Avg Grant Aid $42,834 $10,760
% Receiving Grant Aid 52% 74%

Admission

Villanova Mason
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 23,835 20,001
Admitted 5,576 18,001
Acceptance Rate 23.4% 90%
Enrolled % 31.9% 23%
Avg High School GPA 3.87 3.68
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Exceptional Difficult
Applicant Competition Very High
ACT Range 32/34 25/31
SAT Range 1378/1500 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

Villanova Mason
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (32%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Engineering (11%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • English and Literature (10%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)

Outcomes

Villanova Mason
Graduation Rate 90% 64%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $85,100 $61,900
Making Student Loan Payments 90% 73%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,497 $19,750
Median Loan Payment $273 $204

Diversity

Villanova Mason
% Men 46% 48%
% Women 54% 52%
Racial Diversity Low Very High
HBCU No No
% White 74% 43%
% Black 5% 11%
% Hispanic 8% 13%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 5%
% International 2% 5%
% Unknown Race 1% 5%

Students

Villanova Mason
% In-State 18% 77%
% Out-of-State 78% 17%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • George Mason University is larger than than Villanova based on total student enrollment (39,049 students vs. 10,383 students)

Villanova vs. Mason Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Villanova or Mason?

  • Villanova University is 520.4% more expensive to attend than Mason for in-state tuition ($60,768.00 vs. $9,795.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 71.8% higher at Villanova than George Mason University ($60,768.00 vs. $35,377.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at George Mason University than Villanova ($18,479 vs. $34,837)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at George Mason University are 22.6% lower than costs at Villanova University ($13,120 vs. $16,087)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at George Mason University than Villanova University (74% vs. 52%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Villanova University students is 298.1% larger than aid received George Mason University ($42,834 vs. $10,760)

Villanova vs. Mason Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Villanova University (1326) is 173 points higher than at Mason (1153)
  • Incoming Villanova students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (31) than students at Mason (26)
  • Accepted freshman Villanova students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Mason (3.68)
  • Mason has a higher acceptance rate (90%) than Villanova (23.4%)

Villanova vs. Mason Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Villanova 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 Villanova.

  • The graduation rate at Villanova is higher than George Mason University (90% vs. 64%)
  • Graduates from Villanova University earn on average $23,200 more per year than Mason graduates after ten years. ($85,100 vs. $61,900)
  • George Mason University students graduate with a $6,747 lower median federal student loan debt than Villanova graduates. ($19,750 vs. $26,497)
  • Mason graduates are paying $69 less per month on federal student loans than Villanova graduates. ($204 vs. $273)
  • More Villanova graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mason students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 73%)

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