Head-to-Head Comparison
Boston College vs George Mason University
- Boston Wins
- 25
- Tied
- 10
- George Mason Wins
- 19
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, George Mason University offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Boston College achieves a higher graduation rate (91% vs 69%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $41,704 compared to George Mason University's $17,915 for in-state paths. Students who choose George Mason University benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $76,343 at ten years.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Boston
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $103,937 ten years after enrollment, 36% more than George Mason University
- Higher grad rate: 91% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $19,000, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 16% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
- Research prestige: THE World Rank #161
George Mason
- Lower cost: Average net price of $17,915, roughly $23,789 a year less
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 3.1%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Boston graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (23% of degrees); George Mason in Business & Marketing (18%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick Boston College over George Mason University. Median earnings of $103,937 ten years after enrollment vs $76,343.
Pick George Mason University over Boston College. Net price $17,915 vs $41,704.
Pick Boston College over George Mason University. THE World Rank #161 vs #301-350.
Pick George Mason University over Boston College. 3.1% mobility rate vs 1.6%.
Pick Boston College over George Mason University. 91% completion rate vs 69%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Boston College and George Mason University are close on paper, but Boston College wins the head-to-head, leading on 4 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Boston College is the harder admit. It takes 16% of applicants, while George Mason University takes 87%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,507 to 1,274.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Boston College sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, George Mason University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $17,915, about $23,789 a year below Boston College's $41,704. Graduates of Boston College also borrow less: median debt of $19,000, against $19,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $95,156 before any change in aid. Choosing George Mason University leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Boston College graduates report median earnings of $103,937, compared with $76,343 at George Mason University. That is a 36% advantage. Set against borrowing, Boston College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.18x to 0.26x.
So what: An earnings gap of 36% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Finishing the degree
Boston College graduates a larger share of its students, 91% versus 69%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 22% is a risk measure. Students at the school with the lower rate face higher odds of leaving with debt and no degree, the most expensive outcome in higher education.
Moving people up
George Mason University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 3.1%; at Boston College, it is 1.6%. George Mason University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 6.1% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 2.9%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, George Mason University offers the stronger statistical shot at reaching the top of the income distribution. The gap is wide enough to weigh in any access-minded decision.
Research standing
In the Times Higher Education world table, Boston College sits higher, at #161 versus #301.
So what: Research rank matters most for students headed to graduate school or hoping to work in faculty labs. For undergraduates going straight into the job market, it is a weak predictor of earnings.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick George Mason University to keep costs and debt down; pick Boston College for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 6 of 6 core signals used here, so every comparison above matches reported data against reported data.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. George Mason University saves about $23,789 a year, yet Boston College graduates earn $27,594 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Boston College is harder to get into, with a 16% admit rate, but George Mason University posts the higher mobility rate, at 3.1%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Their academic identities diverge. Boston College concentrates enrollment in Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical, while George Mason University leans toward Computer Science & IT, Criminal Justice. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $41,704 runs well above George Mason University's $17,915.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Boston College's enrollment, and George Mason University is stronger here.
- Students who want a smaller campus: George Mason University's enrollment of 27,752 far exceeds Boston College's 10,085.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Boston holds onto its admits more tightly: 43% of admitted students enroll, versus 20% at George Mason — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Boston offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; George Mason does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there. Test scores matter less at George Mason, where only about 21% of enrolled freshmen submitted any SAT or ACT.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 6 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Research (Times HE) 4 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 16%, Boston College attracts students who are academically driven and ready to engage deeply with their studies. The school excels in areas like Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, and Psychology, among others. If you’re looking for a community that values both rigorous academics and a strong sense of tradition, this is a place where you can thrive.
Once you graduate, you can expect to make, on average, $103,937 after ten years in the workforce. That’s a solid figure that speaks to the value of a degree from Boston College. Students who study here often find themselves well-prepared for the job market, which is crucial as we consider our financial futures. The blend of a strong curriculum and a supportive network can lead to successful career paths.
Looking at the financial aspects, the net price after aid is around $41,704, and students typically graduate with a median debt of $19,000. This debt load is manageable for many, especially considering the earning potential after graduation. Boston College tends to attract students who are ready to invest in their education and take full advantage of the opportunities available, paving the way for both personal and professional growth.
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA · Public
With an enrollment of over 27,000 students, George Mason University is a solid choice for those looking for a diverse and accessible educational environment. The school has an acceptance rate of 87%, making it a fitting option for students who want to further their education without the pressure of highly competitive admissions. Popular areas of study include Business & Marketing, Computer Science & IT, Criminal Justice, Health Professions, and Social Sciences, catering to a wide range of interests and career aspirations.
Looking at life after graduation, the average earnings for alumni 10 years out is $76,343. That’s a good benchmark for understanding potential financial outcomes. While the graduation rate sits at 69%, many graduates find themselves on solid career paths, especially in fields like health and technology. Affordability plays a role here too, with a net price of about $17,915 after aid, which can help keep student debt manageable.
When it comes to financial responsibility, students at George Mason typically graduate with a median debt of $19,500, which is relatively low compared to national averages. This balance of cost and potential earnings suggests that those who thrive here are often motivated, career-oriented individuals focused on practical degrees. With its supportive community and strong academic programs, George Mason University positions students well for a successful future.
Rankings They Appear On
George Mason University is featured on the Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Virginia ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Business Administration as their top enrolled program field, comprising 23% of Boston's student body and 18% of George Mason's.
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Boston) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for George Mason).
The two schools feed different job markets. Boston College is strongest in Biology & Biomedical, Psychology, while George Mason University concentrates in Computer Science & IT, Criminal Justice. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Boston College or George Mason University?
Boston College is harder to get into, admitting 16% of applicants compared with 87% at George Mason University.
Which is more affordable, Boston College or George Mason University?
George Mason University is more affordable, with an average net price of $17,915 after aid versus $41,704 at Boston College.
Do Boston College or George Mason University graduates earn more?
Boston College graduates earn more: median earnings of $103,937 ten years after enrollment, versus $76,343 at George Mason University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Boston College or George Mason University?
Boston College has the higher graduation rate, 91% versus 69%.
Boston College vs George Mason University: which is better for social mobility?
George Mason University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 3.1% versus 1.6%.
Should you choose Boston College or George Mason University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose George Mason University if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Boston College if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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