George Mason University (GMU) vs University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC)
George Mason University (GMU) and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) are two highly regarded institutions of higher learning, each offering a unique educational experience. GMU, located in Fairfax, Virginia, is a public research university known for its strong programs in engineering, business, and information technology. UNC, situated in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, is a public research university with a long history of academic excellence, particularly in the liberal arts, sciences, and medicine. While both universities share similarities in terms of their academic rigor and commitment to student success, there are several key differences between them. These include acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates. To help you make an informed decision about which university is the best fit for you, we have compiled a comprehensive comparison table that highlights these differences.
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![]() George Mason University |
![]() University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
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Overview |
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Location | Fairfax, Virginia | Chapel Hill, North Carolina |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | City: Small |
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% | 97.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 91.3% | 20.4% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$70
Graduate:
$75
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Undergraduate:
$85
Graduate:
$95
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SAT range | 1140 - 1350 | 1140 - 1380 |
ACT range | 25 - 30 | 22 - 27 |
Students submitting SAT score | 37.0% | 2.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 3.0% | 12.0% |
Total number of applicants | 20,527 | 50,729 |
Total number of admissions given out | 18,741 | 10,348 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 3,986 | 4,690 |
Yield rate | 21.3% | 45.3% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | 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
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In state:
$24,770
Out of state:
$52,633
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Average net price | $18,841 | $11,508 |
Tuition |
In state:
$9,510
Out of state:
$32,970
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In state:
$7,019
Out of state:
$34,882
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$7,620
Meal plan:
$5,010
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Room/dormitory:
$6,878
Meal plan:
$5,004
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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 |
42.0%
Average amount $16,076 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
43.0%
Average amount $5,006 |
17.0%
Average amount $4,244 |
Students taking out private loans |
6.0%
Average amount $18,474 |
3.0%
Average amount $14,032 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
26,882
Men 50.4% Women 49.6% |
19,845
Men 39.6% Women 60.4% |
Graduate students |
11,746
Men 40.7% Women 59.3% |
11,796
Men 41.4% Women 58.6% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
|
Low
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Out-of-state students | 18.9% | 16.2% |
International students | 8.0% | 6.8% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 6,513 | 9,984 |
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 | North Carolina Georgia Maryland New York Pennsylvania |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 16:1 | 15:1 |
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% | 90.5% |
Dropout rate | 9.6% | 3.7% |
Transferred out | 16.5% | 5.4% |
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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Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Dentistry (First Professional Degrees)
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Applied Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees)
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