Location
- Michigan State University
- East Lansing, MI
- George Mason University
- Fairfax, VA
Michigan State University vs George Mason University
East Lansing, MI · Fairfax, VA · largest Scorecard gap: median debt at graduation
Scorecard match plate
Pair MI:VA
PUBLIC-PAIR · CROSS-STATE · ACCEPT-OPEN · NET-SPLIT · EARN-SPLIT · DEBT-SPLIT · COMPLETE-GAP · GAP-DEBT
- PUBLIC-PAIR Public pair
- CROSS-STATE MI × VA
- ACCEPT-OPEN Open admission
- NET-SPLIT Net-price split
- EARN-SPLIT Earnings split
- DEBT-SPLIT Debt split
- COMPLETE-GAP Completion gap
- GAP-DEBT Largest gap · Median Debt at Graduation
Instrument codes from this pair's College Scorecard ownership, geography, acceptance, net price, earnings, debt, and completion, plus the ENROLL-RACE · wide · 2013–2023 decade-path stamp below, not a ranking or recommendation.
Decade path · College Scorecard
Both grew, one campus expanded much faster
ENROLL-RACE · wide · 2013–2023
Undergraduate headcount rose at both Michigan State University and George Mason University across 2013–2023, but one fitted annual pace pulls far ahead of the other. Treat them as size peers on different slopes, not interchangeable large campuses.
- George Mason University: enrollment grew +27.0% over 2013–2023; fitted +620 students/yr fitted, r² 0.93.
- Michigan State University: enrollment grew +7.0% over 2013–2023; fitted +124 students/yr fitted, r² 0.40.
- Michigan State University: acceptance rate eased +22.2% across 2013–2023 (r² 0.80).
- George Mason University: acceptance rate eased +43.2% across 2013–2023 (r² 0.80).
College Scorecard institution series; dollars are nominal. Direction claims require r² ≥ 0.40 on the fitted annual slope, otherwise the page reports the observed range. Descriptive history, not a recommendation.
Scorecard metrics
Undergraduate Enrollment
- Michigan State University
- 40,922
- George Mason University
- 27,752
Median Debt at Graduation
- Michigan State University
- $23,250
- George Mason University
- $19,500
150%-Time Completion
- George Mason University
- 68.6%
In-State Tuition
- Michigan State University
- $16,458
- George Mason University
- $14,220
Median Earnings (10 yr)
- Michigan State University
- $67,253
- George Mason University
- $76,343
Out-of-State Tuition
- Michigan State University
- $43,842
- George Mason University
- $38,688
Median Earnings (6 yr)
- Michigan State University
- $55,084
- George Mason University
- $60,536
Avg Net Price
- Michigan State University
- $19,680
- George Mason University
- $17,915
Loan Repayment Rate (Completers)
- George Mason University
- 80.0%
Cards ordered by relative gap on this pair. Teal = better side.
| Metric | Michigan State University East Lansing, MI | George Mason University Fairfax, VA |
|---|---|---|
| Location | East Lansing, MI | Fairfax, VA |
| Undergraduate Enrollment | 40,922 | 27,752 |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $23,250 | $19,500 |
| 150%-Time Completion | 81.4% | 68.6% |
| In-State Tuition | $16,458 | $14,220 |
| Median Earnings (10 yr) | $67,253 | $76,343 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $43,842 | $38,688 |
| Median Earnings (6 yr) | $55,084 | $60,536 |
| Avg Net Price | $19,680 | $17,915 |
| Loan Repayment Rate (Completers) | 74.5% | 80.0% |
Largest gaps: Michigan State University vs George Mason University
- MEDIAN-DEBT-AT-GRA George Mason University leads on median debt at graduation ($19,500 vs $23,250 at Michigan State University)
- 150%-TIME-COMPLETI Michigan State University leads on 150%-time completion (81.4% vs 68.6% at George Mason University)
- IN-STATE-TUITION George Mason University leads on in-state tuition ($14,220 vs $16,458 at Michigan State University)
Michigan State University profile · George Mason University profile · Compare other colleges
Median Debt at Graduation and other Scorecard questions
On median debt at graduation, who leads between Michigan State University and George Mason University?▼
George Mason University leads on median debt at graduation at $19,500 versus $23,250 at Michigan State University. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
On 150%-time completion, who leads between Michigan State University and George Mason University?▼
Michigan State University leads on 150%-time completion at 81.4% versus 68.6% at George Mason University. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
On in-state tuition, who leads between Michigan State University and George Mason University?▼
George Mason University leads on in-state tuition at $14,220 versus $16,458 at Michigan State University. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard College Scorecard institution outcomes (earnings, completion, debt); median debt at graduation focus for this pair · 2025