George Mason University (GMU) vs Prescott College
George Mason University and Prescott College, two distinct institutions of higher learning, offer unique educational experiences to their students. George Mason University, located in Fairfax, Virginia, is a large public research university with an acceptance rate of 73%, while Prescott College, nestled in Prescott, Arizona, is a small private liberal arts college with an acceptance rate of 85%. Both universities boast diverse student bodies, with George Mason University's student population comprising 35% White, 20% Asian, 15% Hispanic, and 10% Black students, and Prescott College's student body consisting of 65% White, 10% Hispanic, 5% Asian, and 5% Black students. While George Mason University excels in popular majors like Business, Engineering, and Computer Science, Prescott College is renowned for its strengths in Environmental Studies, Psychology, and Adventure Education. With graduation rates of 68% and 55% respectively, both universities strive
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![]() George Mason University |
![]() Prescott College |
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Overview |
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Location | Fairfax, Virginia | Prescott, Arizona |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | City: Small |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 84.0% | 75.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 91.3% | 99.3% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$70
Graduate:
$75
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SAT range | 1140 - 1350 | N/A |
ACT range | 25 - 30 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 37.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 3.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 20,527 | 147 |
Total number of admissions given out | 18,741 | 146 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 3,986 | 37 |
Yield rate | 21.3% | 25.3% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$35,263
Out of state:
$58,723
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$45,804 |
Average net price | $18,841 | $17,082 |
Tuition |
In state:
$9,510
Out of state:
$32,970
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$32,976 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$7,620
Meal plan:
$5,010
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Room/dormitory:
$6,990
Meal plan:
$2,530
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
70.0%
Average amount $10,110 |
100.0%
Average amount $27,801 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
43.0%
Average amount $5,006 |
44.0%
Average amount $4,976 |
Students taking out private loans |
6.0%
Average amount $18,474 |
2.0%
Average amount $19,000 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
26,882
Men 50.4% Women 49.6% |
388
Men 34.0% Women 66.0% |
Graduate students |
11,746
Men 40.7% Women 59.3% |
659
Men 18.2% Women 81.8% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Very Low
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Out-of-state students | 18.9% | N/A |
International students | 8.0% | 0.3% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 6,513 | 104 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Virginia Maryland District of Columbia Pennsylvania New York | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 16:1 | 9:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 70.1% | 40.0% |
Dropout rate | 9.6% | 22.9% |
Transferred out | 16.5% | 37.1% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Systems Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Homeland Security (Master's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees)
Medical Illustration and Informatics (Master's Degrees)
Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
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Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions (Master's Degrees)
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