George Mason University (GMU) vs. George Washington University (GWU)

Two Rivalry Colleges in

  • George Mason University (GMU) is a public school while George Washington University (GWU) is a private school.
  • GMU is located in Fairfax, VA and GWU is located in Washington, DC.
  • GWU has more expensive tuition of $64,990 than GMU ($39,397).
  • GWU has tighter acceptance rate of 40.98% than GMU (81.32%).
  • GWU has higher SAT scores of 1,410 than GMU (1,250).
  • GMU is larger with 39,049 students than GWU (25,939 students).
George Mason University

View More Rivals
George Washington University

View More Rivals
#145 in National Universities
#11 in Virginia
Rankings#40 in National Universities
#2 in District of Columbia
Public, 4-yearsSchool TypePrivate, 4-years
Fairfax, VALocationWashington, DC
GMUKnown asGWU
1 Year Certificate
Bachelor's
Post-Bachelor Certificate
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
Doctorate (Professional Practice)
Offered Degrees2 Year Certificate
Associate
2-4 Year Certificate
Bachelor's
Post-Bachelor Certificate
Master's
Post-Master Certificate
Doctorate (Research)
Doctorate (Professional Practice)
Research University (very high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationResearch University (very high research activity)
Tuition & Fees
$13,815 Virginia residents
$39,397 out-of-state
Undergraduate$64,990
$17,446 Virginia residents
$39,397 out-of-state
Graduate$35,154
$9,810Financial Aid$34,492
Admission
$70 undergraduate
$75 graduate
Application Fee$80 undergraduate
$80 graduate
81.32%Acceptance Rate40.98%
22.59%Yield23.60%
1,250 SAT, 28 ACTTest Scores1,410 SAT, 32 ACT
Student Population
39,049Total Students25,939
27,014Undergraduate11,482
12,035Graduate14,457
7,421Online Enrollment4,979
Graduation Rate & Outcomes
70%Graduation Rate84%
15%Transfer-out Rate
85%Retention Rate90%
$63,900Average Earning after Graduation$82,400
Special Learning Opportunities and Student Services
Online Degree/Certificate Program Offered for Both Undergraduate and GraduateDistance Learning (Online Classes)Online Degree/Certificate Program Offered for Both Undergraduate and Graduate
ROTC
Study Abroad
Weekend/Evening College
Teacher Certifiate
Special OpportunitiesROTC
Study Abroad
Teacher Certifiate
✔ (Dormitory Capacity: 6,354)
$7,810 average annual costs
On-Campus Living✔ (Dormitory Capacity: 7,274)
$15,675 average annual costs
Not offered or not ReportedMeal PlanNot offered or not Reported
Faculties and Staffs
16 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio12 to 1
1,399 Full-time
1,294 Part-time
Number of Faculties1,255 Full-time
1,239 Part-time
4,309 Full-time
1,425 Part-time
Number of Staffs4,866 Full-time
1,395 Part-time
$109,233 for Faculties
$77,607 Part-time
Average Salary$138,281 for Faculties
$90,265 Part-time
All data used in our site is from IPEDS (The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System), U.S. Department of Education, academic year 2022-2023