Head to head · Virginia
Which of these costs less depends on what you earn. At under $30k and below, James Madison University is the cheaper of the two; from $30–48k up, George Mason University is. Sticker price shows none of this.
| Household income | George Mason University | James Madison University | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under $30k | $11,942 | $11,444 | $498 |
| $30–48k | $12,093 | $12,977 | $884 |
| $48–75k | $15,224 | $16,475 | $1,251 |
| $75–110k | $19,430 | $22,343 | $2,913 |
| Over $110k | $25,894 | $30,147 | $4,253 |
Green marks the cheaper of the two at that income. "Net price" is what families actually paid after grants and scholarships, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education — not a calculator's estimate. Public-school figures reflect in-state families; out-of-state families typically pay more.
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Each year's reported net price grown 3.5% — the same method College Compass uses inside a family's plan.
Listed George Mason University first, then James Madison University. Acceptance rate is the school's overall published figure — your student's own odds depend on their transcript, scores, and high school.
Again George Mason University first. The four-year graduation rate matters more than it looks: a fifth year is a fifth year of paying.
These are averages. Your family isn't average.
Run both against your student's real GPA, your income band, and your actual high school — odds with the math shown, and what four years would really cost you, side by side. First three schools free.
George Mason University — every income band · James Madison University — every income band · All Virginia public colleges