George Mason University (GMU) vs Berkeley
Envision yourself pursuing higher education at either George Mason University (GMU) or University of California-Berkeley (UCB). While both institutions offer exceptional academic opportunities, they possess distinct characteristics that may influence your decision. GMU, located in Fairfax, Virginia, boasts a diverse student body and a strong focus on research, while UCB, situated in Berkeley, California, is renowned for its prestigious reputation and rigorous academic programs. Explore the comparison table below to delve into the acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates of these two esteemed universities. Discover which institution aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences, setting the stage for a transformative educational journey.
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![]() George Mason University |
![]() University of California-Berkeley |
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Overview |
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Location | Fairfax, Virginia | Berkeley, California |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | City: Midsize |
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% | 96.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 91.3% | 14.4% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$70
Graduate:
$75
|
Undergraduate:
$70
Graduate:
$120
|
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 | 112,843 |
Total number of admissions given out | 18,741 | 16,295 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 3,986 | 6,931 |
Yield rate | 21.3% | 42.5% |
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 | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$35,263
Out of state:
$58,723
|
In state:
$37,920
Out of state:
$67,674
|
Average net price | $18,841 | $17,652 |
Tuition |
In state:
$9,510
Out of state:
$32,970
|
In state:
$11,442
Out of state:
$41,196
|
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$7,620
Meal plan:
$5,010
|
$20,236 |
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 |
52.0%
Average amount $21,406 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
43.0%
Average amount $5,006 |
15.0%
Average amount $4,586 |
Students taking out private loans |
6.0%
Average amount $18,474 |
6.0%
Average amount $7,122 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
26,882
Men 50.4% Women 49.6% |
31,814
Men 45.4% Women 54.6% |
Graduate students |
11,746
Men 40.7% Women 59.3% |
13,222
Men 51.7% Women 48.3% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
|
Moderate
|
Out-of-state students | 18.9% | 16.9% |
International students | 8.0% | 18.0% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | City: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 6,513 | 9,630 |
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 | California New Jersey Texas Virginia New York |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
|
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Students to faculty ratio | 16:1 | 20:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 70.1% | 92.8% |
Dropout rate | 9.6% | 6.3% |
Transferred out | 16.5% | N/A |
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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Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Information Science/Studies (Master's Degrees)
Chemistry (Doctoral Degrees)
Optometry (First Professional Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Applied Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
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