Head-to-head comparison
Northern Virginia Community College vs George Mason University: which has better ROI?
Option A Annandale, VA
Northern Virginia Community College
- Net price / year
- $9,919
- Earnings, 10 years
- $53,557
- Payback
- 3.8 yrs
Option B Fairfax, VA
George Mason University
- Net price / year
- $17,915
- Earnings, 10 years
- $76,343
- Payback
- 2.6 yrs
George Mason University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $71,660 in 2.6 years versus 3.8 years at Northern Virginia Community College, on median earnings of $76,343 vs $53,557 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Northern Virginia Community College | George Mason University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $9,919 | $17,915 |
| Total net cost | $19,838 | $71,660 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $53,557 | $76,343 |
| Median debt | $11,000 | $19,500 |
| Payback | 3.8 yrs | 2.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $84,102 | $488,000 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Northern Virginia Community College or George Mason University?
Northern Virginia Community College, at $9,919 a year after aid versus $17,915 — a gap of $7,996 a year, or $51,822 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 Northern Virginia Community College or George Mason University graduates earn more?
George Mason University graduates report a median $76,343 ten years after entry, $22,786 more than the $53,557 at Northern Virginia Community College. 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, Northern Virginia Community College or George Mason University?
Northern Virginia Community College: its completers carry a median $11,000 in federal loans versus $19,500 at George Mason University, a difference of $8,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
68% of students finish at George Mason University, against 33% at Northern Virginia Community College. 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.