Mason vs. JMU

George Mason University and James Madison University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

George Mason University
James Madison University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: JMU (71.5% admitted vs 87.5%). Typical SAT 1260 vs 1260.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $18,823 at Mason vs $18,856 at JMU. JMU in-state tuition is about $30 more per year.
  • Graduation: Mason 64% vs JMU 81%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Mason $61,900 vs JMU $60,300 (median).
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Key differences

George Mason University James Madison University
Acceptance rate
JMU more selective
Mason87.5%
JMU71.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Mason higher
Mason1160-1360
JMU1170-1340
Average net price
About even
Mason$18,823
JMU$18,856
In-state tuition
Mason $30 less
Mason$14,220
JMU$14,250
Out-of-state tuition
JMU $7,084 less
Mason$38,688
JMU$31,604
Graduation rate
JMU +17 pts
Mason64%
JMU81%
Median earnings (10 years)
Mason +$1,600
Mason$61,900
JMU$60,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Mason 25,234
  • JMU 38,428
  • Admitted
  • Mason 22,074
  • JMU 27,482
  • Acceptance rate
  • Mason 87.5%
  • JMU 71.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Mason 20.2%
  • JMU 18.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Mason 1260
  • JMU 1260
  • Typical ACT score
  • Mason 27
  • JMU 26
  • Average high school GPA
  • Mason 3.68
  • JMU 3.57
  • Typical high school grades
  • Mason A-
  • JMU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Mason Difficult
  • JMU Difficult
  • Applicant competition
  • Mason
  • JMU Low
  • SAT range
  • Mason 1160-1360
  • JMU 1170-1340
  • ACT range
  • Mason 25-30
  • JMU 24-29
  • Submit test scores
  • Mason Test optional
  • JMU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Mason Feb 1, 2027
  • JMU Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Mason $14,220
  • JMU $14,250
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Mason $38,688
  • JMU $31,604
  • Room & board
  • Mason $15,725
  • JMU $13,056
  • Average net price
  • Mason $18,823
  • JMU $18,856
  • Average grant aid
  • Mason $12,852
  • JMU $12,114
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Mason 71%
  • JMU 33%
  • Graduation rate
  • Mason 64%
  • JMU 81%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Mason $61,900
  • JMU $60,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • Mason 73%
  • JMU 83%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Mason $19,750
  • JMU $20,899
  • Median loan payment
  • Mason $204
  • JMU $216
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Mason 16:1
  • JMU 17:1
  • Popular majors
  • Mason
    • Business (23%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • English and Literature (10%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • JMU
    • Business (16%)
    • Health Professions (13%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Location
  • Mason Fairfax, VA
  • JMU Harrisonburg, VA
  • Setting
  • Mason Large Suburban
  • JMU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Mason 39,766
  • JMU 22,740
  • Type
  • Mason Public 4 Year
  • JMU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Mason #243
  • JMU #246

Comparable Facts

Compare George Mason University in Fairfax, VA with James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

George Mason University is larger than JMU based on total student enrollment (39,766 students vs. 22,740 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • George Mason University is located in Fairfax, VA (Large Suburban setting); James Madison University is in Harrisonburg, VA (Small City setting).
  • George Mason University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. James Madison University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: George Mason University 16:1; James Madison University 17:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 17% lower than at George Mason University ($13,056 vs. $15,725).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 22.4% higher at Mason than at James Madison University (about $7,084 more per year; $38,688 vs. $31,604).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at George Mason University than at James Madison University (71% vs. 33%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by George Mason University students is 6.1% larger than aid received by James Madison University students ($12,852 vs. $12,114).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Mason than at JMU (27 vs. 26, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Mason and JMU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Mason Feb 1, 2027; JMU Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Mason average a 3.68 high school GPA, 0.11 higher than at JMU (3.57).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.2% at Mason vs. 18.2% at JMU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, George Mason University graduates have a $1,149 lower median loan debt than JMU graduates ($19,750 vs. $20,899).
  • Among borrowers, Mason graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than JMU graduates ($204 vs. $216).
  • More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mason students, three years after graduation (83% vs. 73%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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