George Mason University (GMU) vs University of Central Florida (UCF)
George Mason University and the University of Central Florida, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. George Mason, located in Fairfax, Virginia, boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it a more accessible option for aspiring students. UCF, situated in Orlando, Florida, attracts a larger student body, resulting in a more diverse and vibrant campus community. While George Mason excels in engineering and computer science programs, UCF shines in business and hospitality management. Both universities offer competitive graduation rates, ensuring that students receive the necessary support to succeed academically. Explore the comprehensive comparison table to delve into further details and discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() George Mason University |
![]() University of Central Florida |
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Overview |
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Location | Fairfax, Virginia | Orlando, Florida |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | Suburb: 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% | 92.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 91.3% | 36.4% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$70
Graduate:
$75
|
Undergraduate:
$30
Graduate:
$30
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SAT range | 1140 - 1350 | 1170 - 1350 |
ACT range | 25 - 30 | 25 - 30 |
Students submitting SAT score | 37.0% | 73.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 3.0% | 27.0% |
Total number of applicants | 20,527 | 48,929 |
Total number of admissions given out | 18,741 | 17,797 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 3,986 | 7,090 |
Yield rate | 21.3% | 39.8% |
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
|
In state:
$24,036
Out of state:
$40,135
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Average net price | $18,841 | $11,575 |
Tuition |
In state:
$9,510
Out of state:
$32,970
|
In state:
$4,478
Out of state:
$19,810
|
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$7,620
Meal plan:
$5,010
|
Room/dormitory:
$5,670
Meal plan:
$4,360
|
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 |
90.0%
Average amount $10,078 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
43.0%
Average amount $5,006 |
20.0%
Average amount $5,240 |
Students taking out private loans |
6.0%
Average amount $18,474 |
1.0%
Average amount $14,272 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
26,882
Men 50.4% Women 49.6% |
59,996
Men 45.0% Women 55.0% |
Graduate students |
11,746
Men 40.7% Women 59.3% |
10,314
Men 40.3% Women 59.7% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
|
Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 18.9% | 8.5% |
International students | 8.0% | 4.5% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 6,513 | 8,182 |
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 | Florida Georgia New Jersey Pennsylvania New York |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 16:1 | 30:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 70.1% | 74.9% |
Dropout rate | 9.6% | 9.8% |
Transferred out | 16.5% | 12.0% |
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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Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
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