WSU vs. Mason

Comparable Facts

Compare Wayne State University in Detroit, MI 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 WSU based on total student enrollment (39,766 students vs. 23,803 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wayne State University is located in Detroit, MI (Large City setting); George Mason University is in Fairfax, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• Wayne State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. George Mason University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wayne State University 14:1; George Mason University 16:1.

WSU vs. Mason Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WSU 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 Wayne State University than Mason ($14,416 vs. $18,823).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wayne State University are 9.4% lower than at George Mason University ($14,252 vs. $15,725).
• Wayne State University is 6.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mason (about $970 more per year; $15,190.00 vs. $14,220.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.8% higher at Mason than at Wayne State University (about $6,651 more per year; $38,688.00 vs. $32,037.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wayne State University than at George Mason University (98% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wayne State University students is 0.8% larger than aid received by George Mason University students ($12,953 vs. $12,852).

WSU vs. Mason Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WSU 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 WSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at George Mason University (1260) is 90 points higher than at WSU (1170).
• Incoming Mason students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 26 at WSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wayne State University 1060/1270; George Mason University 1160/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wayne State University 23/29; George Mason University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WSU - Test optional; Mason - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WSU Aug 1, 2027; Mason Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mason students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at WSU (3.42).
• Mason has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than WSU (81.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at WSU vs. 20.2% at Mason.

WSU vs. Mason Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WSU 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 Wayne State University's (26%).
• Graduates from George Mason University earn a median of about $10,900 more per year than WSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $51,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, George Mason University graduates have a $2,508 lower median loan debt than WSU graduates ($19,750 vs. $22,258).
• Among borrowers, Mason graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WSU graduates ($204 vs. $230).
• More Mason graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSU students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 38%)

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.