Wilkes vs. Mason

Should I go to Wilkes University or George Mason University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Wilkes 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 VCU Virginia Tech CNU Old Dominion UVA UMBC UNC Charlotte UB William & Mary Mary Washington College ASU
Wilkes University vs. George Mason University comparison
Wilkes University George Mason University College 3 College 4
Wilkes University George Mason University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Wilkes Mason
Location Wilkes-Barre, PA Fairfax, VA
Setting Small City Large Suburban
Enrollment 5,207 39,049
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #478 #228
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wilkes.edu gmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Wilkes Mason
Tuition (In State) $39,134 $9,795
Tuition (Out of State) $39,134 $35,377
Room & Board $15,850 $13,120
Avg Net Price $27,918 $18,479
Avg Grant Aid $29,441 $10,760
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 74%

Admission

Wilkes Mason
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,798 20,001
Admitted 4,517 18,001
Acceptance Rate 94.1% 90%
Enrolled % 10.6% 23%
Avg High School GPA 3.56 3.68
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/26 25/31
SAT Range 1060/1260 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 Feb 1, 2024

Academics

Wilkes Mason
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (18%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (13%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Engineering (11%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • English and Literature (10%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)

Outcomes

Wilkes Mason
Graduation Rate 58% 64%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $58,200 $61,900
Making Student Loan Payments 75% 73%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $19,750
Median Loan Payment $268 $204

Diversity

Wilkes Mason
% Men 31% 48%
% Women 69% 52%
Racial Diversity Low Very High
HBCU No No
% White 73% 43%
% Black 4% 11%
% Hispanic 6% 13%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 5%
% International 9% 5%
% Unknown Race 2% 5%

Students

Wilkes Mason
% In-State 75% 77%
% Out-of-State 24% 17%

Campus

Wilkes 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 Wilkes based on total student enrollment (39,049 students vs. 5,207 students)

Wilkes vs. Mason Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wilkes or Mason?

  • Wilkes University is 299.5% more expensive to attend than Mason for in-state tuition ($39,134.00 vs. $9,795.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 10.6% higher at Wilkes than George Mason University ($39,134.00 vs. $35,377.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at George Mason University than Wilkes ($18,479 vs. $27,918)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at George Mason University are 20.8% lower than costs at Wilkes University ($13,120 vs. $15,850)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Wilkes University than George Mason University (97% vs. 74%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Wilkes University students is 173.6% larger than aid received George Mason University ($29,441 vs. $10,760)

Wilkes vs. Mason Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at George Mason University (1153) is 100 points higher than at Wilkes (1053)
  • Accepted freshman Mason students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Wilkes (3.56)
  • Wilkes has a higher acceptance rate (94.1%) than Mason (90%)

Wilkes vs. Mason Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Wilkes 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 Wilkes.

  • The graduation rate at Mason is higher than Wilkes University (64% vs. 58%)
  • Graduates from George Mason University earn on average $3,700 more per year than Wilkes graduates after ten years. ($61,900 vs. $58,200)
  • George Mason University students graduate with a $6,250 lower median federal student loan debt than Wilkes graduates. ($19,750 vs. $26,000)
  • Mason graduates are paying $64 less per month on federal student loans than Wilkes graduates. ($204 vs. $268)
  • More Wilkes graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mason students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 73%)

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