George Mason University vs. Virginia: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
Both are Virginia law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Virginia is the more selective admit (median LSAT 173 vs 169); Virginia posts the higher first-time bar passage (94.98% vs 85.96%); George Mason University is cheaper on sticker tuition ($24,864 vs $74,078); Virginia places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (98.7% vs 97.6%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | George Mason University | Virginia | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 169 | 173 | Virginia |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.93 | 3.99 | Virginia |
| Acceptance rate | 15.9% | 10.2% | Virginia |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $24,864 | $74,078 | George Mason University |
| Non-resident tuition | $40,978 | $76,396 | George Mason University |
| Median grant | $21,000 | $35,000 | Virginia |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 85.96% | 94.98% | Virginia |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 93.92% | 100% | Virginia |
| Bar passage vs. state average | +5.3 pts | +12.2 pts | Virginia |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 97.6% | 98.7% | Virginia |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 13.8% | 67.6% | Virginia |
| Federal clerkships | 7.8% | 10.7% | Virginia |
15-year trajectory
Full profiles & related
George Mason University full profile · Virginia full profile · All Virginia law schools
FAQ
Is George Mason University or Virginia harder to get into?
Virginia is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 173 against George Mason University's 169.
Which is cheaper, George Mason University or Virginia?
George Mason University is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $24,864 versus Virginia's $74,078.
Which has better bar passage, George Mason University or Virginia?
Virginia has the higher first-time bar passage, 94.98% against George Mason University's 85.96%.
Which has better job outcomes, George Mason University or Virginia?
Virginia places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (98.7% vs 97.6%).
George Mason University vs Virginia: which is better?
It depends on what you weigh — the table above shows where each wins. Across the four headline measures (selectivity, sticker cost, first-time bar passage, and JD employment), Virginia leads on more of them, but read the row that matters most to you rather than the count.
Source: ABA Standard 509 Required Disclosures, most recent reported cycle. Last updated June 26, 2026.