Academic Comparison between W&L and GMU

Washington and Lee University and George Mason University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. W&L is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Lexington, VA and GMU is a four-year, public school located in Fairfax, VA.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • W&L is a private (not-for-profit) and GMU is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • W&L has more expensive tuition & fees ($64,525) than GMU ($37,979).
  • It is harder to admit to W&L than GMU.
  • W&L has a higher submitted SAT score (1,490) than GMU (1,240).
  • W&L has higher submitted ACT score (34) than GMU (28).
  • GMU has more students with 39,049 students while W&L has 2,243 students.
  • W&L has a lower number of students per faculty with 7 to 1 while GMU's ratio is 16 to 1.
  • GMU has more full-time faculties with 1,399 faculties while W&L has 251 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Washington and Lee Universityvs.George Mason University
Lexington, VirginiaLocationFairfax, Virginia
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-year, Public
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Baccalaureate College - Arts & SciencesCarnegie ClassificationResearch University (very high research activity)
$64,5252024 Tuition & Fees
In-State$13,815
Out-Of-State$37,979
63%% Receiving Financial Aid61%
$50,487Average Amount of Financial Aid$9,810
16.99 %Acceptance Rates89.00 %
42.02 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)22.00 %
1,490SAT Score1,240
34ACT Score28
94 %Graduation Rate70 %
-Transfer-out Rate15 %
98 %Retention Rate85 %
2,243Student Population39,049
251Number of Faculties1,399
7 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio16 to 1
ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycare