George Mason University vs William & Mary: which has better ROI?
George Mason University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $71,660 in 2.6 years versus 3 years at William & Mary, on median earnings of $76,343 vs $73,490 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | George Mason University | William & Mary |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $17,915 | $19,096 |
| Total net cost | $71,660 | $76,384 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $76,343 | $73,490 |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $18,500 |
| Payback | 2.6 yrs | 3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $488,000 | $426,216 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, George Mason University or William & Mary?
George Mason University, at $17,915 a year after aid versus $19,096 — a gap of $1,181 a year, or $4,724 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do George Mason University or William & Mary graduates earn more?
George Mason University graduates report a median $76,343 ten years after entry, $2,853 more than the $73,490 at William & Mary. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, George Mason University or William & Mary?
William & Mary: its completers carry a median $18,500 in federal loans versus $19,500 at George Mason University, a difference of $1,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
89% of students finish at William & Mary, against 68% at George Mason University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.