Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) vs. George Mason University (GMU)

Two Rivalry Colleges in

  • Both Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and George Mason University (GMU) are public.
  • Both schools are located in Virginia.
  • GMU has more expensive tuition of $39,397 than VCU ($39,042).
  • GMU has tighter acceptance rate of 81.32% than VCU (83.90%).
  • GMU has higher SAT scores of 1,250 than VCU (1,160).
  • GMU is larger with 39,049 students than VCU (28,082 students).
Virginia Commonwealth University

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George Mason University

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#218 in National Universities
#14 in Virginia
Rankings#145 in National Universities
#11 in Virginia
Public, 4-yearsSchool TypePublic, 4-years
Richmond, VALocationFairfax, VA
VCUKnown asGMU
2-4 Year Certificate
Bachelor's
Post-Bachelor Certificate
Master's
Post-Master Certificate
Doctorate (Research)
Doctorate (Professional Practice)
Offered Degrees1 Year Certificate
Bachelor's
Post-Bachelor Certificate
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
Doctorate (Professional Practice)
Research University (very high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationResearch University (very high research activity)
Tuition & Fees
$16,458 Virginia residents
$39,042 out-of-state
Undergraduate$13,815 Virginia residents
$39,397 out-of-state
$16,753 Virginia residents
$31,589 out-of-state
Graduate$17,446 Virginia residents
$39,397 out-of-state
$11,794Financial Aid$9,810
Admission
$70 undergraduate
$70 graduate
Application Fee$70 undergraduate
$75 graduate
83.90%Acceptance Rate81.32%
32.28%Yield22.59%
1,160 SAT, 26 ACTTest Scores1,250 SAT, 28 ACT
Student Population
28,082Total Students39,049
20,958Undergraduate27,014
7,124Graduate12,035
2,680Online Enrollment7,421
Graduation Rate & Outcomes
64%Graduation Rate70%
20%Transfer-out Rate15%
85%Retention Rate85%
$49,700Average Earning after Graduation$63,900
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
Weekend/Evening College
Teacher Certifiate
✔ (Dormitory Capacity: 5,702)
$7,301 average annual costs
On-Campus Living✔ (Dormitory Capacity: 6,354)
$7,810 average annual costs
Not offered or not ReportedMeal PlanNot offered or not Reported
Faculties and Staffs
16 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio16 to 1
2,183 Full-time
710 Part-time
Number of Faculties1,399 Full-time
1,294 Part-time
6,266 Full-time
835 Part-time
Number of Staffs4,309 Full-time
1,425 Part-time
$96,025 for Faculties
$73,850 Part-time
Average Salary$109,233 for Faculties
$77,607 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