Head-to-head comparison
George Mason University vs Washington and Lee University: which has better ROI?
Option A Fairfax, VA
George Mason University
- Net price / year
- $17,915
- Earnings, 10 years
- $76,343
- Payback
- 2.6 yrs
Option B Lexington, VA
Washington and Lee University
- Net price / year
- $23,781
- Earnings, 10 years
- $94,810
- Payback
- 2 yrs
Washington and Lee University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $95,124 in 2 years versus 2.6 years at George Mason University, on median earnings of $94,810 vs $76,343 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | George Mason University | Washington and Lee University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $17,915 | $23,781 |
| Total net cost | $71,660 | $95,124 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $76,343 | $94,810 |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $19,500 |
| Payback | 2.6 yrs | 2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $488,000 | $833,876 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, George Mason University or Washington and Lee University?
George Mason University, at $17,915 a year after aid versus $23,781 — a gap of $5,866 a year, or $23,464 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do George Mason University or Washington and Lee University graduates earn more?
Washington and Lee University graduates report a median $94,810 ten years after entry, $18,467 more than the $76,343 at George Mason University. 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.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, George Mason University or Washington and Lee University?
Completers at both borrow a median $19,500, so neither school has the debt advantage. That figure covers federal loans of students who finished — borrowers who leave early are not counted, and private loans sit outside it.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
94% of students finish at Washington and Lee University, 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.