U of A vs George Mason University (GMU)
Nestled in the vibrant city of Tucson, Arizona, the University of Arizona (UA) stands as a beacon of academic excellence, while in the heart of Fairfax, Virginia, George Mason University (GMU) emerges as a dynamic center of learning. Both institutions offer a wealth of opportunities for students to thrive, yet they possess distinct characteristics that set them apart. UA boasts a higher acceptance rate, welcoming a diverse student body from various backgrounds. GMU, on the other hand, maintains a more selective admissions process, resulting in a student population with strong academic credentials. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve into further details about these universities, including popular majors, graduation rates, and additional factors that may influence your decision in choosing the ideal academic destination that aligns with your aspirations and goals.
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![]() George Mason University |
![]() University of Arizona |
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Overview |
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Location | Fairfax, Virginia | Tucson, Arizona |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | City: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 84.0% | 84.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 91.3% | 87.3% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$70
Graduate:
$75
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Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$85
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SAT range | 1140 - 1350 | 1120 - 1370 |
ACT range | 25 - 30 | 21 - 29 |
Students submitting SAT score | 37.0% | 13.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 3.0% | 19.0% |
Total number of applicants | 20,527 | 48,065 |
Total number of admissions given out | 18,741 | 41,946 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 3,986 | 8,436 |
Yield rate | 21.3% | 20.1% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Not 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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In state:
$30,136
Out of state:
$54,658
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Average net price | $18,841 | $17,242 |
Tuition |
In state:
$9,510
Out of state:
$32,970
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In state:
$11,299
Out of state:
$35,821
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$7,620
Meal plan:
$5,010
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Room/dormitory:
$8,400
Meal plan:
$5,050
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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 |
92.0%
Average amount $13,790 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
43.0%
Average amount $5,006 |
24.0%
Average amount $4,845 |
Students taking out private loans |
6.0%
Average amount $18,474 |
3.0%
Average amount $20,814 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
26,882
Men 50.4% Women 49.6% |
37,434
Men 44.3% Women 55.7% |
Graduate students |
11,746
Men 40.7% Women 59.3% |
10,840
Men 44.5% Women 55.5% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 18.9% | 48.8% |
International students | 8.0% | 6.5% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 6,513 | 7,036 |
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 | Arizona California Washington Illinois Colorado |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 16:1 | 17:1 |
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% | 64.3% |
Dropout rate | 9.6% | 14.3% |
Transferred out | 16.5% | 19.6% |
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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Physics (Doctoral Degrees)
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Chemistry (Doctoral Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees)
Mining and Mineral Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
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