George Mason University vs University of Utah
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
George Mason University and University of Utah are closely matched on financial return. George Mason University scores 86/100 while University of Utah scores 84/100 - a gap small enough that individual circumstances (major choice, financial aid package, in-state vs out-of-state status) will likely matter more than the overall score difference.
On cost, University of Utah comes in at $16,200 per year (net price after aid) versus $17,915 at George Mason University - a difference of $1,715 annually, or roughly $6,860 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, George Mason University graduates earn a median of $76,343 compared to $67,170 at University of Utah. The payback period is 5.1 years at George Mason University versus 6.4 years at University of Utah.
Graduates leave University of Utah with a median $19,000 in debt versus $19,500 at George Mason University. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.41 and 0.40 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | George Mason University | University of Utah |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $14,220 | $9,620 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $38,688 | $30,860 |
| Net Price (avg) | $17,915 | $16,200 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $71,660 | $64,800 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $47,000 | $47,200 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $76,343 | $67,170 |
| Graduation Rate | 67.8% | 65.0% |
| Payback Period | 5.1 yr | 6.4 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $19,500 | $19,000 |
| Monthly Payment | $207 | $201 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.41 | 0.40 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 80.0% | 81.3% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 78.3% | 77.0% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 87.5% | 86.0% |
| Enrollment | 27,752 | 27,264 |
| SAT Range | 1160-1360 | 1190-1380 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | George Mason Univers... | University of Utah |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $11,942 | $13,123 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $12,093 | $13,424 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $15,224 | $14,246 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $19,430 | $17,663 |
| $110,001+ | $25,894 | $21,533 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | George Mason Univers... | University of Utah |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $84,632 | $137,329 |
| Computer Engineering | $117,942 | $114,197 |
| Electrical Engineering | $103,074 | $91,361 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $88,080 | $100,793 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $96,467 | $91,127 |
| Biomedical Engineering | $93,533 | $96,353 |
| Physics | $96,138 | $77,158 |
| Accounting | $91,132 | $94,253 |
| Civil Engineering | $93,856 | $85,097 |
| Registered Nursing | $89,878 | $86,243 |
| Economics | $87,548 | $84,146 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $85,224 | $81,252 |
| Marketing | $69,210 | $83,511 |
| Chemistry | $77,681 | $71,276 |
| Mathematics | $77,519 | $71,059 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | George Mason Univers... | University of Utah |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 92 | 89 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 93 | 87 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 85 | 87 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 74 | 69 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 71 | 74 |
| Overall ROI Score | 86 | 84 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. George Mason University edges out University of Utah by 2 points (86 vs 84), but the difference is small enough that major choice and individual circumstances will matter more than the school-level ROI difference. Run the numbers for your specific situation using the calculator below.
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George Mason University
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
University of Utah
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.