Head-to-head · 2026
George Mason University vs Piedmont Virginia Community College
Compare average net price ($17,915 at George Mason University; $5,963 at Piedmont Virginia Community College), ROI score (10.65 vs 17.09), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($76,343 vs $40,752), and admissions context (87.5% at George Mason University; Open / not reported at Piedmont Virginia Community College) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | George Mason University | Piedmont Virginia Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 10.65 | 17.09 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $17,915 | $5,963 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $71,660 | $23,852 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $14,220 | $5,072 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $38,688 | $11,510 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $76,343 ✓ | $40,752 |
| Acceptance rate | 87.5% | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 67.8% ✓ | 38.6% |
| Retention rate | 86% ✓ | 67.7% |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $8,750 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 27,752 | 3,045 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1274 | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | George Mason University | Piedmont Virginia Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $11,942 | $5,491 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $12,093 | $3,785 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $15,224 | $7,311 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $19,430 | $8,076 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $25,894 | $12,454 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | George Mason University | Piedmont Virginia Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 3.1% | 55% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 0.1% | 18.3% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 8.5% | 1.2% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 3.3% | 5.5% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 2.9% | 4.2% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 3.5% | 1.4% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 2.9% | 0.5% |
| Visual and Performing Arts, General | 1.2% | 1% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Piedmont Virginia Community College reports the lower average net price by $11,952 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $47,808 difference over four years ($23,852 vs $71,660).
George Mason University reports $35,591 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($76,343 vs $40,752). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 86% at George Mason University and 67.7% at Piedmont Virginia Community College. Median federal debt among completers is $19,500 vs $8,750, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
George Mason University vs Piedmont Virginia Community College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Piedmont Virginia Community College is cheaper — average net price $5,963 per year vs $17,915 at George Mason University. The annual difference of $11,952 adds up to about $47,808 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
George Mason University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $76,343 vs $40,752 at Piedmont Virginia Community College. The gap in the federal data is $35,591. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.