UL Lafayette vs Mason Introduction
When it comes to choosing a university, one must consider various factors to determine the best fit. In this article, we will compare two universities, UL Lafayette and Mason, based on several key factors, such as cost, admissions, academics, and outcomes.
UL Lafayette Overview
Founded in 1900, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (UL Lafayette) is a public research university located in Lafayette, Louisiana. It offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs in various fields, including engineering, business, and liberal arts.
UL Lafayette Costs & Tuition
The estimated tuition and fees for in-state undergraduate students at UL Lafayette are approximately $10,382 per year, while out-of-state students pay around $24,110 annually. Room and board expenses are estimated at $9,380 per year. Financial aid options are available for eligible students.
UL Lafayette Admissions
Admissions at UL Lafayette are moderately selective, with an acceptance rate of 56%. Applicants are required to submit their high school transcripts, ACT or SAT scores, and a personal essay. The average high school GPA for admitted students is 3.4, while the average ACT score is 23 and the average SAT score is 1100.
UL Lafayette Degrees Offered
UL Lafayette offers over 80 undergraduate degree programs and more than 30 graduate programs. Some popular majors include Engineering, Business, Health Professions, Biological and Biomedical Sciences, and Liberal Arts and Sciences.
UL Lafayette Academics
The student-faculty ratio at UL Lafayette is 21:1, ensuring personalized attention from professors. The university also boasts a first-year retention rate of 77%, indicating a high level of student satisfaction with their academic experience.
UL Lafayette Diversity
UL Lafayette has a diverse student body, with approximately 38% of students identifying as a racial or ethnic minority. The university also supports various cultural and social organizations to promote inclusivity on campus.
UL Lafayette Students
UL Lafayette has a total enrollment of around 17,123 students, with 14,458 undergraduates and 2,665 graduate students. The campus offers a variety of clubs, organizations, and recreational activities for students to engage in outside the classroom.
UL Lafayette Campus
The 1,500-acre campus of UL Lafayette features modern facilities, including state-of-the-art classrooms, research labs, and recreational spaces. Students can also enjoy the natural beauty of the campus, with its lush green spaces and scenic waterways.
UL Lafayette Alumni
UL Lafayette has a strong alumni network, with over 100,000 graduates worldwide. Some notable alumni include Edwin Edwards, former Louisiana Governor, and Ali Landry, an actress and former Miss USA.
UL Lafayette Rankings
UL Lafayette is ranked #293-381 in National Universities by the U.S. News & World Report for 2021. It also ranks #183 in Top Performers on Social Mobility and #116 in Engineering Programs at schools where a doctorate is not offered.
UL Lafayette Outcomes
The average starting salary for UL Lafayette graduates is around $43,700 per year. The university also has a four-year graduation rate of 27% and a six-year graduation rate of 48%.
Mason Overview
George Mason University (Mason) is a public research university located in Fairfax, Virginia, founded in 1949. Mason offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in fields such as business, engineering, and social sciences.
Mason Costs & Tuition
In-state undergraduate students at Mason can expect to pay approximately $12,564 per year in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay around $36,024 annually. Room and board expenses are estimated at $11,976 per year. Financial aid options are available for eligible students.
Mason Admissions
Admissions at Mason are somewhat selective, with an acceptance rate of 81%. Applicants are required to submit high school transcripts, ACT or SAT scores, and a personal essay. The average high school GPA for admitted students is 3.7, while the average ACT score is 26 and the average SAT score is 1210.
Mason Degrees Offered
Mason offers over 100 undergraduate degree programs and more than 120 graduate programs. Popular majors include Business, Engineering, Health Professions, Social Sciences, and Visual and Performing Arts.
Mason Academics
The student-faculty ratio at Mason is 17:1, providing an environment for personalized learning. The university has a first-year retention rate of 86%, reflecting high student satisfaction.
Mason Diversity
Mason has a diverse student population, with approximately 49% of students identifying as a racial or ethnic minority. The university also supports various cultural and social organizations to promote inclusivity on campus.
Mason Students
Mason has a total enrollment of approximately 39,863 students, with 27,105 undergraduates and 12,758 graduate students. The campus offers numerous clubs, organizations, and recreational activities for students to engage in outside the classroom.
Mason Campus
Mason’s 677-acre campus features state-of-the-art facilities, including modern classrooms, research labs, and recreational spaces. The campus is also located near Washington, D.C., providing students with access to various cultural and professional opportunities.
Mason Alumni
Mason has a strong alumni network, with over 200,000 graduates worldwide. Notable alumni include Jawed Karim, co-founder of YouTube, and Anousheh Ansari, the first female private space explorer.
Mason Rankings
Mason is ranked #153 in National Universities by the U.S. News & World Report for 2021. It also ranks #62 in Top Public Schools and #112 in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs.
Mason Outcomes
The average starting salary for Mason graduates is around $50,000 per year. The university has a four-year graduation rate of 39% and a six-year graduation rate of 70%.
UL Lafayette vs Mason Cost Comparison
When comparing costs, in-state students at UL Lafayette pay less in tuition and fees compared to in-state students at Mason ($10,382 vs $12,564). Out-of-state students also pay less at UL Lafayette than at Mason ($24,110 vs $36,024). However, room and board expenses are slightly higher at Mason ($11,976) than at UL Lafayette ($9,380).
UL Lafayette vs Mason Admissions Difficulty
Mason has a higher acceptance rate (81%) compared to UL Lafayette (56%). However, the average high school GPA, ACT, and SAT scores of admitted students are generally higher at Mason than at UL Lafayette, indicating that Mason may be more difficult to gain admission to.
UL Lafayette vs Mason Academic Difficulty
With a student-faculty ratio of 17:1 at Mason and 21:1 at UL Lafayette, both universities offer personalized learning experiences. However, the higher first-year retention rate at Mason (86%) compared to UL Lafayette (77%) suggests that students may find the academic environment at Mason more satisfying.
UL Lafayette vs Mason Outcome Comparison
Graduates from Mason have a higher average starting salary ($50,000) compared to UL Lafayette graduates ($43,700). Additionally, Mason has higher four-year (39%) and six-year (70%) graduation rates compared to UL Lafayette (27% and 48%, respectively). These statistics suggest that students at Mason may have better outcomes upon graduation than those at UL Lafayette.