Rutgers NB vs George Mason University (GMU)

Rutgers University-New Brunswick and George Mason University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct academic experiences and opportunities. Rutgers, a public research university, boasts a lower acceptance rate and a larger student body, while George Mason, a public research university as well, offers a more diverse student body and a higher graduation rate. With Rutgers excelling in fields like biological sciences, engineering, and social sciences, and George Mason shining in areas such as business, engineering, and social sciences, both universities cater to a wide range of academic interests. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into further details and discover which university aligns best with your aspirations and goals.

	George Mason University	Rutgers University-New Brunswick
Overview
Location	Fairfax, Virginia	New Brunswick, New Jersey
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%	94.0%
Common app member	Yes	No
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	91.3%	68.2%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $70 Graduate: $75	Undergraduate: $70 Graduate: $70
SAT range	1140 - 1350	1240 - 1470
ACT range	25 - 30	27 - 33
Students submitting SAT score	37.0%	45.0%
Students submitting ACT score	3.0%	7.0%
Total number of applicants	20,527	43,161
Total number of admissions given out	18,741	29,419
Admitted students who chose to enroll	3,986	7,105
Yield rate	21.3%	24.2%
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

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $35,263 Out of state: $58,723	In state: $40,665 Out of state: $57,866
Average net price	$18,841	$11,803
Tuition	In state: $9,510 Out of state: $32,970	In state: $12,536 Out of state: $29,737
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $7,620 Meal plan: $5,010	Room/dormitory: $8,170 Meal plan: $5,232
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	70.0% Average amount $10,110	60.0% Average amount $10,835
Students receiving federal student loan	43.0% Average amount $5,006	35.0% Average amount $4,983
Students taking out private loans	6.0% Average amount $18,474	3.0% Average amount $16,429

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	26,882 Men 50.4% Women 49.6%	36,152 Men 49.9% Women 50.1%
Graduate students	11,746 Men 40.7% Women 59.3%	14,652 Men 36.3% Women 63.7%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Moderate
Out-of-state students	18.9%	6.7%
International students	8.0%	10.9%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Large	City: Small
Dormitory capacity	6,513	16,088
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	New Jersey New York Pennsylvania California Mississippi

Academics
Popular study areas	Education Health Professions Business Computer and Information Science Engineering	Health Professions Business Computer and Information Science Engineering Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Students to faculty ratio	16:1	15:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	70.1%	83.7%
Dropout rate	9.6%	6.8%
Transferred out	16.5%	8.2%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Systems Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $96,837 Year 2: $109,763 Year 3: $127,586 Homeland Security (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $101,476 Year 2: $127,993 Year 3: $120,573 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $101,886 Year 2: $99,709 Year 3: $117,377 Computer Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $112,424 Year 2: $101,072 Year 3: $115,693 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $98,841 Year 2: $105,585 Year 3: $113,896 Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $121,226 Year 2: $92,632 Year 3: $105,664 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $101,843 Year 2: $100,690 Year 3: $101,702 Medical Illustration and Informatics (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $78,386 Year 2: $84,653 Year 3: $101,604 Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $86,911 Year 2: $91,448 Year 3: $99,722 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $94,065 Year 2: $92,277 Year 3: $94,785	Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: $248,696 Year 2: $248,619 Year 3: $190,541 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $105,618 Year 2: $109,327 Year 3: $125,566 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $125,431 Year 2: $110,432 Year 3: $124,617 Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $107,491 Year 2: $106,421 Year 3: $118,713 Dentistry (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $73,836 Year 2: $82,931 Year 3: $117,987 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $107,887 Year 2: $112,970 Year 3: $115,126 Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $88,760 Year 2: $103,237 Year 3: $114,164 Biological and Physical Sciences (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $74,298 Year 2: $64,791 Year 3: $102,688 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $70,205 Year 2: $74,063 Year 3: $95,327 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $69,934 Year 2: $71,778 Year 3: $90,572

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Rutgers University-New Brunswick and George Mason University?

Rutgers University-New Brunswick is a large, public research university with a long history and a strong emphasis on research across a wide range of disciplines. It's located in New Jersey and offers a traditional college town experience. George Mason University (GMU), on the other hand, is a younger, rapidly growing public university located in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. GMU is known for its strong programs in areas like economics, public policy, and computer science, and its proximity to the nation's capital provides unique opportunities for internships and career development.
Which university is larger, Rutgers or George Mason?

Rutgers University-New Brunswick is significantly larger than George Mason University. Rutgers has a larger student body, a more extensive campus, and a broader range of academic programs.
How do the locations of Rutgers and George Mason differ, and how does that impact student life?

Rutgers University-New Brunswick is located in a classic college town setting in New Brunswick, New Jersey, offering a more traditional campus environment. George Mason University is situated in Fairfax, Virginia, within the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. This location provides students with access to a wide array of cultural attractions, internship opportunities, and career prospects in government, non-profits, and various industries. GMU students often benefit from the vibrant urban environment and its associated advantages.
Which university is known for its strengths in specific academic areas?

While both universities offer a wide range of programs, Rutgers is known for its strong programs in pharmacy, engineering, and the sciences, benefiting from its extensive research facilities. George Mason University is particularly well-regarded for its programs in economics, public policy, computer science, and cybersecurity, leveraging its location near Washington, D.C. and the tech industry.
How do the costs of attending Rutgers and George Mason compare?

Generally, Rutgers University-New Brunswick and George Mason University have similar tuition costs for in-state students. However, out-of-state tuition at Rutgers tends to be higher. It's important to check the most recent tuition and fees on each university's website, as well as consider the cost of living in New Brunswick, NJ, versus Fairfax, VA, which can impact the overall cost of attendance.
What are the research opportunities like at Rutgers and George Mason?

Rutgers University-New Brunswick is a major research university with extensive research facilities and funding across various disciplines. Opportunities for undergraduate and graduate research are plentiful. George Mason University is also a growing research institution, particularly strong in areas like computational social science, cybersecurity, and health sciences. Both universities offer research opportunities, but Rutgers has a larger and more established research infrastructure overall.
How do the campus cultures differ between Rutgers and George Mason?

Rutgers University-New Brunswick has a more traditional, large-university campus culture with a strong emphasis on school spirit and a wide range of student organizations and activities. George Mason University, while growing, has a more diverse and commuter-oriented student body, with a focus on career development and engagement with the D.C. metropolitan area. The campus culture at GMU is evolving and becoming more vibrant as the university expands.
What kind of student would thrive at Rutgers versus George Mason?

A student who enjoys a traditional college experience, a large and diverse student body, and a strong emphasis on research might thrive at Rutgers University-New Brunswick. A student who prefers a more career-focused environment, proximity to a major metropolitan area, and programs geared towards government, technology, or public policy might find George Mason University a better fit.
What are the athletic programs like at each university?

Rutgers University-New Brunswick is a member of the Big Ten Conference and has a strong athletic program, particularly in football and basketball. George Mason University is a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference and is known for its basketball program, which has had notable success in the NCAA tournament. Both universities offer a variety of intercollegiate sports and recreational activities.
How do the career services and internship opportunities compare?

Both Rutgers and George Mason offer career services to help students find internships and jobs. However, George Mason University's location in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area provides students with access to a wider range of internship and career opportunities in government, non-profits, and various industries. Rutgers also offers strong career services, particularly for students in fields like engineering, pharmacy, and business, with connections to companies in the New Jersey and New York area.

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