Head-to-Head Comparison
Brown University vs George Mason University
- Brown Wins
- 28
- Tied
- 11
- George Mason Wins
- 15
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, George Mason University offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Brown University achieves a higher graduation rate (96% vs 69%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $25,184 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
Brown
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $93,487 ten years after enrollment, 22% more than George Mason University
- Higher grad rate: 96% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $11,428, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 5% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
- Research prestige: THE World Rank #55
George Mason
- Lower cost: Average net price of $17,915, roughly $7,269 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?
Brown graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (25% 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 Brown University over George Mason University. Median earnings of $93,487 ten years after enrollment vs $76,343.
Pick George Mason University over Brown University. Net price $17,915 vs $25,184.
Pick Brown University over George Mason University. THE World Rank #55 vs #301-350.
Pick George Mason University over Brown University. 3.1% mobility rate vs 1.4%.
Pick Brown University over George Mason University. 96% completion rate vs 69%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Brown University and George Mason University are close on paper, but Brown University 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
Brown University is the harder admit. It takes 5% of applicants, while George Mason University takes 87%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,546 to 1,274.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Brown University 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 $7,269 a year below Brown University's $25,184. Graduates of Brown University also borrow less: median debt of $11,428, against $19,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $29,076 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, Brown University graduates report median earnings of $93,487, compared with $76,343 at George Mason University. That is a 22% advantage. Set against borrowing, Brown University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.12x to 0.26x.
So what: An earnings gap of 22% 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
Brown University graduates a larger share of its students, 96% versus 69%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 27% 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 Brown University, it is 1.4%. Brown University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 11.5% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 6.1%.
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, Brown University sits higher, at #55 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 Brown University 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 $7,269 a year, yet Brown University graduates earn $17,144 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Brown University is harder to get into, with a 5% 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. Brown University concentrates enrollment in Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical, while George Mason University leans toward Business & Marketing, 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 $25,184 runs well above George Mason University's $17,915.
- Business and consulting-track students: Brown University has less business program depth, and George Mason University offers the stronger options.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $19,500, against $11,428 at Brown University.
- Students who want a smaller campus: George Mason University's enrollment of 27,752 far exceeds Brown University's 7,226.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Brown holds onto its admits more tightly: 63% of admitted students enroll, versus 20% at George Mason — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Brown 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
Brown University
Providence, RI · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 5%, Brown University in Providence, RI, is a selective option that attracts students driven to excel academically and personally. It’s a place for those who thrive in a collaborative environment and are eager to dive into programs like Social Sciences, Computer Science, Biology, Mathematics, and Engineering. The high graduation rate of 96% speaks to the strong support system in place, making it a solid choice for ambitious students.
After graduation, Brown alumni see impressive earning potential, with a median income of $93,487 ten years post-graduation. This financial trajectory suggests that graduates are not just securing jobs, but often moving into roles that reward their hard work. While this school may come with a price tag, the outcomes reflect a community that values education and shapes successful careers.
When it comes to the finances, the net price after aid stands at $25,184, and the median debt is relatively manageable at $11,428. This is encouraging, especially for students who may be concerned about student loans. Those who tend to thrive here are often self-motivated and ready to engage deeply with their studies, taking full advantage of the opportunities that come their way.
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
Brown University is featured on the Best Colleges in Rhode Island ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Brown's top program is Sociology (25% of enrollment), while George Mason leads with Business Administration (18%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Brown) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for George Mason).
The two schools feed different job markets. Brown University is strongest in Biology & Biomedical, Mathematics & Statistics, while George Mason University concentrates in Business & Marketing, 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 Brown University or George Mason University?
Brown University is harder to get into, admitting 5% of applicants compared with 87% at George Mason University.
Which is more affordable, Brown University or George Mason University?
George Mason University is more affordable, with an average net price of $17,915 after aid versus $25,184 at Brown University.
Do Brown University or George Mason University graduates earn more?
Brown University graduates earn more: median earnings of $93,487 ten years after enrollment, versus $76,343 at George Mason University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Brown University or George Mason University?
Brown University has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 69%.
Brown University 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 1.4%.
Should you choose Brown University or George Mason University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose George Mason University if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Brown University 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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